Beyond UX Design

Not all prejudice is loud or obvious. In this episode, we explore the quiet kind: the one that hides behind gut feelings and culture fit. We'll break down how implicit bias shapes team dynamics, hiring decisions, and everyday interactions, even in well-meaning workplaces.What if the biggest barrier to equity on your team isn’t hate, but habit?In this episode of the Cognition Catalog, we dig into the subtleties of prejudice that often hide in plain sight. These aren't the overt acts of hostility we usually associate with bias, but the quiet, unnoticed attitudes and assumptions that shape who gets hired, heard, and left behind. We'll explore the nature of implicit prejudice, its impact on team dynamics, and how we can challenge and change these hidden biases to create fairer and more inclusive workplaces. Tune in to learn actionable steps to recognize and interrupt these biases, ensuring we all contribute to a more equitable environment.Topics:• 02:25 - A Personal Anecdote on Bias• 03:21 - Understanding Implicit Prejudice• 06:13 - The Science Behind Implicit Bias• 08:54 - Addressing and Mitigating BiasTo explore more about Prejudice, don’t miss the full article on the Cognition Catalog!Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to know when new episodes drop!Join me every week for insights on a new cognitive bias!

Think all you need is a polished portfolio and perfect case study to land your next job? Trevor Alexander says otherwise. In this episode, we challenge the traditional career advice designers are given, and talk about what actually leads to long-term success, resilience, and trust.What if everything you’ve been told about how to build a successful design career was wrong?If you’re still clinging to the idea that a polished portfolio and deep Figma skills are your best bet for success in UX, this episode is going to challenge that—hard. I sat down with Trevor Alexander, author of An Ugly Design Career, to talk about why those things might actually be distractions.We cover everything from the myth of the “pretty” career to the real-world power of trust, communication, and grit. Trevor shares how he’s thrived in UX without a portfolio or job applications, because people keep bringing him along for the ride. Not because of fancy job titles, but because of how he shows up.From improv classes and Toastmasters to lifestyle creep and living in a founder’s basement, Trevor drops wisdom that hits different in today’s job market. Whether you’re new to UX or 15 years in, this episode is a gut check on what really matters. Give it a listen, and maybe rethink what “better” looks like.Topics:• 11:16 The Importance of Soft Skills in Design• 21:30 The Role of Tenacity in a Design Career• 27:48 Defining Success: What Does ‘Better’ Mean?• 32:19 Facing Job Loss and Financial Stress• 32:54 Managing Lifestyle Creep• 33:19 The Importance of Fiscal Responsibility• 35:23 High Earnings and Financial Prudence• 39:26 Leveraging Opportunities and Networking• 41:11 Building a Resilient CareerHelpful Links:• Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn• uglydesigncareer.com—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out show transcripts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Stitcher⁠⁠

In this throwback episode, I chat with Jason Ogle from the User Defenders Podcast about something we don’t talk about enough: self-care for UX designers. We explore how taking care of ourselves is essential to be truly empathetic.Could self-care be the most overlooked tool in a UX designer’s toolkit?How can we expect to fill our users’ cups if our own is empty? What if taking care of yourself is the most user-centric design choice you can make?This week, I got a chance to talk with with Jason Ogle of the famed User Defenders Podcast. We peel back the layers of UX design to discuss a foundational aspect that’s often neglected: the designer’s self-care. Jason shares his insights on how self-care is intrinsically linked to our capacity to care for and understand our users. He makes a compelling case for why designers must prioritize their well-being to truly excel in their work.We discuss the inherently altruistic nature of design and how this high calling to solve problems for others begins with solving our own problem of neglecting self-care. He highlighted the simple yet powerful concept: “We can’t fill someone else’s cup if our cup is empty,” emphasizing the need for designers to ensure they’re mentally and physically prepared to tackle the challenges of UX design.We also touched on the critical mind-body connection and how physical well-being directly impacts our creative and empathetic abilities. Jason shared personal strategies for making time for self-care, including the importance of sleep and how it significantly influences the following day’s mood, energy levels, and productivity.Jason’s approach to saying “no” and the freedom it brings to focus on what truly matters served as a powerful lesson in setting boundaries for personal and professional growth.Topics:• 15:31 – Design is a very altruistic thing• 20:06 – We can’t fill someone else’s cup if our cup is empty• 25:45 – There is a mind-body connection• 30:10 – Sleep influences the next day• 33:23 – ways Jason has found to make time for himself• 40:38 – Getting to the point where we can say “no”• 49:23 – How do we go to bed at a certain time?• 54:49 – Good habits are sacrificing now for benefits laterHelpful Links:• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn• jasonogle.com• Watch Jason on YouTube• User Defenders Podcast

What’s stopping your work from shipping? It’s probably not the design itself. This week, I chat with Guy Segal about the soft skills that make the biggest difference—giving feedback, earning trust, and aligning with your team when things get tough.What if the biggest reason your designs aren’t making it to production has nothing to do with design?You know your work is solid. You’ve put in the hours, iterated on the flow, and covered every edge case. But when it comes time to hand it off or get sign-off, something breaks. It stalls, gets picked apart, or falls flat. Sound familiar?In this episode, I sit down with Guy Segal—design leader and host of Design Downtime—to talk about why “soft skills” are the hardest part of UX, and how improving them can be the difference between your designs shipping or collecting dust. We cover how to give better feedback, how to handle misalignment without blowing things up, and what it actually means to be someone your team wants to work with.This conversation is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt like good design work wasn’t enough. Because it isn’t. The way you show up—how you talk to people, how you build trust, how you respond to tension—is what moves the work forward.Topics:• 00:00 – Introduction: The Human Side of Software• 00:37 – Welcome to Beyond UX Design• 00:44 – Promotions and Sponsorships• 02:31 – The Importance of Relationships in Software• 02:57 – Interview with Guy Siegel: Building Great Relationships• 04:09 – Challenges in Team Dynamics• 05:26 – Empathy and Communication in Teams• 13:00 – Feedback Framework for Better Team Collaboration• 28:58 – Aligning Team Goals and Values• 32:45 – Establishing Team Values and Hiring Practices• 33:27 – Importance of One-on-Ones and Setting Expectations• 35:06 – Empathy and Communication in Design• 36:08 – Feedback and Continuous Improvement• 37:09 – Challenges in Designer-Engineer Collaboration• 38:21 – Managerial Insights and Team Dynamics• 43:09 – Building Strong Work RelationshipsHelpful Links:• Design Downtime• Connect with Guy on LinkedIn—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out show transcripts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Stitcher⁠⁠

Thomas Wilson, an award-winning UX, CX, and EX service designer, shares invaluable insights on power dynamics in organizations. He discusses how understanding power can enhance a designer's influence, even without a formal title. Wilson emphasizes the importance of building trust and empathy across generational gaps. He also explores practical strategies for negotiation and stakeholder management, reframing power as a tool for designers to propel change. This chat is a must for anyone looking to navigate their role in the workplace more effectively.

Join Maciej Konarzewski, a Certified Wix Studio partner and solo business owner, as he unveils his journey from a one-man operation to a thriving freelance venture. He emphasizes the power of specialization and the importance of smart tools to minimize chaos. Maciej shares how to ditch the hustle mindset, value community, and create systems that allow greater focus and productivity. Discover the secrets behind pricing, finding your niche, and confidently saying no to distractions—all to build a successful freelance business on your terms!

What if becoming a manager isn’t the upgrade you’ve been led to believe?What if you could grow your influence and your impact, without giving up the work you actually love doing? In this episode, Filippos Protogeridis shares why traditional UX career ladders don’t always work and how he carved out a leadership path that didn’t require a team of direct reports.A lot of mid-level and senior designers assume the only way to advance their careers is to become managers. But what if that path isn’t right for you? What if there are better options? In this episode, I talk with Filippos Protogeridis, who shares his journey from founding designer to head of product design at a rapidly growing healthtech startup in London.Filippos didn’t follow the traditional ladder. Instead of giving up hands-on work, he redefined what leadership looks like for his role, blending vision work, hiring, mentoring, and strategy with the design work he still loves. We talk about why most companies get the “promotion to management” thing all wrong, and how to think more clearly about what you actually want from your next step.If you’ve been wrestling with questions about growth, leadership, and what it really means to “level up” in UX, this episode is for you. Tune in and rethink what success in design leadership can look like.Topics:• 05:00 – Filippos’ Background and Journey• 06:43 – Challenges in Leadership Transition• 14:20 – The Importance of Hiring and Letting Go• 26:33 – Hands-On Leadership and Visioning• 34:54 – Types of Design Leadership Roles• 41:42 – Impact of Layoffs on Leadership• 42:21 – Shift in Hiring Trends• 43:03 – Lean Management and Hands-On Roles• 43:47 – Challenges and Opportunities in Hybrid Roles• 46:21 – Embracing the Founding Designer Mode• 48:53 – Market Chaos and Its Impact• 49:38 – Entrepreneurial Mindset in Large Organizations• 54:58 – Closing Thoughts on Leadership and FollowershipHelpful Links:• Connect with Filippos on LinkedIn• Designary.com—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• ⁠⁠Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Check out show transcripts⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Check out our website⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Subscribe on Stitcher⁠

Tired of stressing over your UX portfolio? Discover smart ways to showcase your value clearly, even if you’re buried in NDAs or complex enterprise projects. Learn how to simplify your story, prioritize content strategically, and confidently communicate your UX expertise without falling into portfolio overwhelm.How do you turn years of complicated UX work into a clear, concise story that hiring managers actually want to read?This week, I welcome back Aneta Kmiecik, who has made it her mission to help mid-to-senior UX designers tackle the common nightmare of portfolio creation. Having transitioned from architecture to UX herself, she has a deep understanding of the challenges, especially when it comes to showcasing complex, NDA-heavy projects or navigating roles with less visually striking outcomes.We explore practical strategies for creating concise, impactful portfolios without lengthy traditional case studies. She introduces the powerful concept of "project snapshots," a straightforward way to quickly and effectively highlight the core value and outcomes of your UX work. We discuss essential habits for proactively capturing your work as it occurs, rather than scrambling when you suddenly need to apply for a job.If you’ve ever felt portfolio anxiety or struggled to clearly showcase your real UX value, tune in for actionable insights to transform your portfolio approach and confidently land your next role.Topics:• 02:42 The Stress of Creating Portfolios• 02:57 Aneta’s Journey and Expertise• 03:50 Actionable Advice for UX Portfolios• 09:03 The Importance of Work Journals• 14:24 Crafting Case Studies for Your Next Job• 28:58 Common Mistakes in UX Portfolios• 30:53 Common Portfolio Mistakes• 31:57 Alternative Ways to Showcase Work• 33:10 Creating Project Snapshots• 38:27 Choosing the Right Platform• 45:10 Final Thoughts and AdviceHelpful Links:• Connect with Aneta on LinkedIn• Follow Aneta on Instagram• Aneta’s UX Portfolio Course---Support our sponsors!Ok web designers. Let’s talk about the “c” word—creative burnout.You’re working on a site for a really big client, but between resourcing, feedback, tight budgets and even tighter deadlines—it doesn’t make the cut. Wix Studio helps close that gap, so you can deliver your vision with less friction. Built for agencies and enterprises, you get total creative control over every last pixel. With no-code animations, AI-powered tools, reusable design assets, advanced, intuitive layout tools and a Figma to Wix Studio integration, you can design the way you want to and deliver when you need to.And if you’re worried about the learning curve eating into time you don’t have—don’t be. Wix Studio is intuitive by design, so your entire team can hit the ground running.For your next project, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wixstudio.com

Mara Thorsrud, a UX expert with over 20 years of experience designing for brands like Estée Lauder, delves into the psychology behind successful design. She reveals how subtle elements, like a model's gaze, can shift user behavior. The conversation covers the measurable impact of color psychology, storytelling's role in engaging users, and the ethical implications of design choices. Mara shares valuable techniques for integrating psychological insights into UX without crossing ethical lines, empowering designers to create memorable experiences.

Building a design system is the easy part—getting your team to adopt it is the real challenge. We dive into the hidden elements that make design systems truly successful.What if the real blocker to your design system isn’t tooling or design, but trust?This week, I talk with Justin Crews, a senior product designer with a background in film, systems thinking, and complex enterprise UX. We dig into what it actually takes to build design systems that people want to use, not just systems that look good in a pitch deck.Justin shares hard-won lessons from his consulting and in-house roles, where he has helped scale multi-product systems. We discuss the mindset shift from dictating to documenting, and why building alignment across teams is more important than enforcing rules. One of my favorite insights: your design system isn’t a product—it’s a process.If your components are collecting dust or you’ve hit a wall with adoption, this episode gives you the strategy and language to rethink what design systems are really for. Hit play and learn how to build systems people actually want to use.Topics:• 02:35 – The Challenge of Design System Adoption• 04:39 – Understanding the Role of Design Systems• 08:17 – When to Start Building a Design System• 18:41 – Documenting vs. Dictating in Design Systems• 24:58 – Managing Stakeholder Expectations• 28:24 – Building a Design System from the Ground Up• 40:13 – Building Team Adoption for New Tools• 40:57 – Creating Designer-Friendly Components• 41:47 – Championing and Showcasing the System• 44:22 – Stakeholder Management and Engagement• 46:42 – Measuring Success of Design SystemsHelpful Links:• Connect with Justin on LinkedIn• justinnn.com---Support our sponsors!Ok web designers. Let’s talk about the “c” word—creative burnout.You’re working on a site for a really big client, but between resourcing, feedback, tight budgets and even tighter deadlines—it doesn’t make the cut. Wix Studio helps close that gap, so you can deliver your vision with less friction. Built for agencies and enterprises, you get total creative control over every last pixel. With no-code animations, AI-powered tools, reusable design assets, advanced, intuitive layout tools and a Figma to Wix Studio integration, you can design the way you want to and deliver when you need to.And if you’re worried about the learning curve eating into time you don’t have—don’t be. Wix Studio is intuitive by design, so your entire team can hit the ground running.For your next project, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wixstudio.com