The Design Psychologist | Psychology for UX, Product, Service, Instructional, Interior, and Game Designers

In this episode, Thomas interviews Dr. Chris Wickens, a pioneer in cognitive engineering and human factors, and they discuss how designers can reduce errors and enhance decision-making when lives are on the line. They delve into the high-stakes world of design psychology for critical environments—think operating rooms, airplane cockpits, and military control systems. Together, they explore the real science of attention, what causes overload and confusion in high-pressure moments, and how augmented reality could revolutionize user interfaces in critical settings. Whether you're designing for surgeons, pilots, or autonomous vehicles, this episode is packed with essential takeaways from decades of research in applied cognitive science.🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What every designer should know about how human attention actually worksWhy traditional design approaches often fail in high-pressure contextsHow to reduce cognitive load and prevent life-threatening mistakesThe surprising ways augmented reality is shaping the future of human-machine interactionLessons from the deep history of human factors and applied psychologythedesignpsychologist.substack.com is the podcast newsletter. Get episode summaries right in your inbox so you can easily reference, save, and apply what you learn.  

Discover the intriguing world of product research methods! Learn how inductive and deductive thinking can shape the insights you gain in design. Explore a scenario involving restaurant waitstaff apps to understand when to prototype ideas versus observing real user behavior. Find out how to navigate research choices based on your design phase and circumstances. From uncovering hidden insights to making quick decisions, this conversation reveals the nuances that can truly enhance your product's impact.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.