The Design Psychologist | Psychology for UX, Product, Service, Instructional, Interior, and Game Designers
Thomas Watkins
Welcome to The Design Psychologist, a podcast where we explore the intersection of psychology and design. The show is hosted by Thomas Watkins, a design psychologist who has spent years applying behavioral science principles to the creation of digital products. We sit down with a variety of experts who apply psychology in different ways to the design of the world around us. Thomas uses his expertise to guide conversations that provide practical advice while illuminating the theory behind why designs succeed. Tune in if you are a design practitioner who seeks to understand your work on a deeper level and craft experiences that are intuitive, effective, and delightful.
Episodes
Mentioned books
11 snips
May 28, 2025 • 27min
Color Psychology in Design: What the Science Really Says
Explore the intriguing science of color psychology and its impact on branding. Discover why common associations, like blue for trust, may not tell the full story. Delve into the cultural roots of color meanings, revealing surprising shifts over time. Learn how color affects emotions and influences buying decisions, along with the nuances of neuroeconomics. Gain insights into making smarter design choices that go beyond generic charts and elevate your brand.
10 snips
May 28, 2025 • 59min
Psychology Principles Every Designer Should Master (with Susan Weinschenk)
In this engaging conversation, Susan Weinschenk, a behavioral scientist and CEO of The Weinschenk Team, reveals the vital connection between psychology and design. She discusses how emotional and unconscious processing drives user behavior, and clarifies misconceptions about memory and dopamine—it's about anticipation, not just pleasure. Susan also emphasizes the power of storytelling in product design, the importance of aligning design with self-perception, and how gamification taps into intrinsic motivation to enhance user engagement.
May 28, 2025 • 20min
Design for Ease: The Psychology of Effort in UX Design
Discover the intriguing concept of performance load and how it impacts user experiences in design. Learn about the four types of load: visual, intellectual, memory, and motor. Uncover how cluttered interfaces and excessive clicks can frustrate users. Delve into real-world examples from organizations like NASA and Dropbox that showcase effective design strategies. Find out when simplifying a task aids usability and when it can backfire, especially in educational contexts. Enhance your designs to create seamless connections between users and their goals.
May 28, 2025 • 1h 2min
The Six Minds of UX: A Design Checklist You Didn't Know You Needed (with John Whalen)
In this insightful discussion, John Whalen, a cognitive scientist and UX expert, delves into his framework, The Six Minds of UX. He explains how each mind represents different cognitive lenses to enhance user experience design. The conversation touches on the influence of user expectations and emotions, the role of AI in modern design, and the innovative concept of synthetic users. Real-world examples illustrate how understanding cognition can transform digital products, making them more intuitive and user-friendly. A must-listen for anyone in the design field!
May 1, 2025 • 3min
Trailer: Welcome to The Design Psychologist Podcast
In this teaser episode, host Thomas Watkins introduces The Design Psychologist—a podcast where human behavior meets design. Thomas shares what inspired him to bridge the gap between psychology and design, outlines what listeners can expect in future episodes, and invites you to explore how design shapes our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Whether you're a designer, psychologist, or curious thinker, this show is your gateway into the minds behind meaningful design.
