UX Leadership By Design

Send us a textThe title says it all -- we cover a ton in Season 2, Episode 2 of UX Leadership By Design, as Mark Baldino talks with Shan Shen, a Principal UX designer at Custom Ink. Shan shares her background in design and her transition to a leadership role as they discuss the challenges designers face in a remote work environment and the importance of creating support systems. Shan shares tips for designers and leaders in navigating difficult situations and emphasizes the need for designers to understand the language of business and focus on delivering value. We'll say it again -- value is the love language of business.TakeawaysTransitioning from a designer to a leadership role takes time and involves understanding one's unique design skills and how they can create impactful experiences.Creating a support system and fostering open communication is crucial for designers, especially in a remote work environment.Designers and leaders should focus on listening, empathy, and understanding to navigate difficult situations and support team members.Designers need to embrace the language of business and communicate in terms of value to have a strategic impact in organizations.Topics Covered:Transition from Designer to LeaderChallenges of Remote Work in DesignIntegrating Business Strategy with DesignThe Role of Empathy in DesignStrategic Decision Making in DesignBalancing Self-Care and Professional GrowthInfluences of Design Thinking on BusinessSpeaking the Language of BusinessLeadership Skills in the Design IndustryCreating Value through DesignLinks:Shan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanshen1/Shan on ADPList - https://adplist.org/mentors/shan-shen Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textWelcome to Season 2 of UX Leadership by Design. In this episode, we talk to Bryn McCoy, a seasoned UX design leader, who shares her journey from a maker in tech to a design leader. Bryn emphasizes the importance of collaboration between product and design teams, addressing challenges in the tech industry, and the need for innovation in times of uncertainty. Bryn also highlights the significance of maintaining creativity and motivation within teams and stresses the importance of personal and cultural growth. The episode covers various topics including the transition from making to leading, collaboration strategies, and maintaining team motivation amidst challenges, ending with recommendations for further resources.TakeawaysCollaboration between product and design teams is crucial for successful projects.Innovation is necessary, even in challenging times, and can involve retooling existing infrastructure.Leaders should prioritize personal and cultural growth to maintain creativity and motivation within teams.Taking time for self-care and giving oneself grace is essential for effective leadership.Cultivating vision and voice is key to inspiring and leading teams in innovative endeavors.Topics CoveredUX Design Team CollaborationInnovation and Creative DesignChallenges & Growth in UX LeadershipMotivating Creative Design TeamsResilience in Design LeadershipSynergy with Product LeadershipStrategies for UX LeadershipCultural Dynamics in UXLinks:Bryn McCoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brynmccoy/https://brynmccoy.com/Mineral -Professional Coaching & Training: https://madebymineral.com/ProfessionalAware: The Science and Practice of Presence--The Groundbreaking Meditation Practice by Daniel Dr. Siegel: https://www.amazon.com/Aware-Practice-Presence-Groundbreaking-Meditation/dp/1101993049 Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textIn this episode, we explore design leadership and entrepreneurship with Cameron Ridenour, Chief Design Officer of CoNote. Cameron brings listeners into the process of novel product design - highlighting the intricate journey of aligning user requirements with a company's strategic goals. Mark and Cameron discuss transitioning from a traditional design roles to a co-founders and product leaders.This is a great episode for UX Design leaders who are interested in strategies for harmonizing often conflicting aspects of product development. Through practical, real-world examples, listeners gain an understanding of how to maintain a clear and consistent product design direction, even when faced with varying user feedback or short-term opportunities from stakeholders.TOPICS:1. Non-Traditional Paths to Design Leadership2. The Evolution of UX Research Tools3. Balancing User-Centric Design with Commercial Viability4. The Role of UX in Product Development at Startups5. Managing Technical Debt in UX Design6. User-Centered Design Across Different Mediums7. Building a Cohesive Design Team8. UX Leadership and Positive Team Culture9. AI in UX: Enhancing Research and Synthesis10. Tools and Strategies for Effective Research SynthesisLINKS:Cameron Ridenour on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/voltronfutura/CoNote: www.conote.aiDon't Make Me Think by Steve Krug : https://sensible.com/dont-make-me-think/Fuzzy Math: fuzzymath.comMark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbaldino/ Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textIn Episode 11 of UX Leadership by Design, Joana Castro, Director of UX at Buildium in Portugal explains how she leverages UX Maturity models at Buildium, and more broadly, how organizations can use UX maturity assessments to measure progress (and regression), demonstrate the value of UX, and secure investment in user experience. This episode offers practical advice for UX leaders interested in implementing a UX maturity model in their organization, effectively using storytelling as a strategy to help stakeholders connect to user problems, and hiring and developing junior designers. TOPICS:1. The State of the UX Market in Portugal2. Building and Managing UX Teams3. The Importance of Soft Skills in UX4. Using storytelling to cultivate stakeholder buy in5. Transitioning from Individual Contributor to UX Leader6. The UX Maturity Model by Nielsen Norman Group7. Assessing and Demonstrating UX Value8. Demonstrating ROI and Business Value of UX9. The Impact of UX Maturity AssessmentsLINKS:Joana Castro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joana-isadora-castro/Buildium: https://www.buildium.com/Atlas (North American Report) by Sequoia: https://atlas.sequoiacap.com/Nielsen Norman Group: 6 Levels of UX Maturity Model: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ux-maturity-model/Nielsen Norman Group: UX Maturity Survey: https://forms.nngroup.com/s3/Maturity-Quiz Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textAre design leaders and their teams neglecting the power of wireframing in UX design? In the latest episode of UX Leadership by Design, Mark Baldino explores this question, and others, with Billy Carlson, a design leader and educator. The episode dives deep into the often underestimated process of wireframing, emphasizing its critical role in project development. Billy underscores the value of staying in the the "gray areas" of low-fidelity design early on, as it allows teams to refine their ideas, establish content structures, and secure stakeholder buy-in before transitioning to high-fidelity design. They also talk about Billy's recent book, "Wireframing for Everyone," which aims to democratize wireframing, making it accessible to both designers and non-designers. If you're a design leader in the UX field, this podcast episode offers a fresh perspective and actionable insights to elevate your team's design process.ABOUT OUR GUEST: Billy Carlson is a design educator at Balsamiq, where he helps new and non-designers learn best practices for all phases of user interface and digital product design. He teaches university-level UX and design thinking courses, and, as a designer since 2005, he’s worked on myriad products and led large UX teams at various organizations.TOPICS:The Role of Wireframing in UX DesignImportance of Staying in Low FidelityStrategies to Encourage Collaboration in WireframingChallenges Faced by Design LeadersBenefits of Concept Development in DesignBalancing Control and Collaboration as a Design LeaderTransitioning from Individual Contributor to Design LeadThe Intersection of Design Leadership and EducationThe Process of Writing a UX Design BookEffective Communication in Early Design PhasesLINKS:Wireframing for Everyone: https://abookapart.com/products/wireframing-for-everyoneBalsamiq Wireframes Academy: https://www.balsamiq.com/learnBilly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billycarlsonBalsamiq: https://www.balsamiq.com/ Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textIn Episode 9 of UX Leadership by Design Mark talks to Tom Scotto, a design leader and consultant. Tom explains how embracing a quirky and creative team environment fosters innovation and collaboration and provides strategies to navigate and communicate the disruptive nature of design, both within your team and outside the design walls. Tom emphasizes the importance of recognizing that all design is disruptive and encourages a shared understanding of this concept among team members and stakeholders. Gain valuable tips on presenting disruption positively and collaborating effectively across disciplines. This episode is a valuable resource for UX Design leaders looking to drive change, build collaborative team cultures, and facilitate effective communication.TOPICS:1. The value of fostering a creative, quirky, and collaborative environment.2. Disruption as an inherent aspect of design and its impact on all facets.3. Encouraging a quirky mindset within design teams for enhanced creativity.4. Balancing disruption with collaboration across different functional teams.5. The importance of understanding disruption within and outside design.6. Overcoming hurdles in communicating design changes and driving innovation.7. Strategies for effectively presenting disruptive design concepts to non-designers.LINKS:Tom Scotto on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjscottoTom Scotto's Website - https://tomscotto.com/ Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textEPISODE DESCRIPTION:UX design leader Maria Giudice joins host Mark Baldino to discuss the core qualities that UX leaders need to become effective change agents. Drawing from three decades of experience, Maria underscores the significance of integrating design principles into leadership roles, enabling anyone to champion change.Maria's approach, outlined in her book Changemakers: How Leaders can Design Change in an Insanely Complex World focuses on empathy, shared goals, and effective communication, making it accessible for both designers and non-designers alike. TOPICS:1. Changemaker Approach in UX Leadership2. Change Management3. Building Trust and Vision4. Empathy and Collaboration5. Strategies for UX Leaders6. Art of being a ChangemakerLINKS:Rise of the DEO, Leadership by Design: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-DEO-Leadership-Design-Voices/dp/0321934393Changemakers: How Leaders can Design Change in an Insanely Complex World: https://www.amazon.com/Changemakers-Leaders-Design-Insanely-Complex/dp/1959029142Maria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariagiudice Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textIn this UX Leadership by Design podcast episode, host Mark Baldino of Fuzzy Math talks with Alfred Kahn, an experienced design leader and author. They discusses navigating complex problem spaces, infusing consumer-grade UX principles into enterprise design, and strategies for collaborative success between the "tripod" - design, product, and engineering. This episode is a valuable resource for UX Design leaders looking to better understand how to shift design's role within an organization, emphasizing metrics, research, and effective communication, and aligning teams with strategic objectives.Topics:Creating Collaborative EnvironmentsEvolving Role of DesignBuilding Successful UX TeamsBuilding AlliancesEffective Design LeadershipUsability Testing as a Gateway to Enhance User-Centric DesignDesign Metrics and ValueEvolving Role of Design in OrganizationsLinks:Alfred on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredkahn Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textWelcome to the "UX Leadership by Design" podcast, hosted by Mark Baldino, Co-Founder of Fuzzy Math. In Episode 6, we have the pleasure of featuring Santiago Viteri, the Associate Director of UX and Digital Accessibility Standards of the UX Center of Excellence at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Join us as Santiago shares his inspiring journey of helping shape a UX Center of Excellence within a large organization, emphasizing the significance of credibility and problem-solving through a user-focused approach. Discover the pivotal role he sees for digital accessibility and the "shift left" mentality in creating inclusive and user-friendly designs right from the start. Don't miss this insightful conversation on UX, accessibility, and the art of design with a science-driven mindset. Gain valuable insights for building successful UX teams and fostering a culture of innovation.Topics:Design Thinking for HealthcareAgile Approach for Digital AccessibilityProduct Development & UX StrategyMeasuring UX ImpactAccessibility ComplianceDigital AccessibilityShift Left MentalityInclusive DesignBuilding Successful UX TeamsLinks:Santiago on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiagoviteri/IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential: https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/s/certified-professionalGoogle HEART framework:  https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/google-s-heart-framework-for-measuring-uxSystem Usability Scale (SUS): https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/system-usability-scale.html Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a text In this episode of the "UX Leadership by Design" podcast hosted by Mark Baldino of Fuzzy Math, Greg Thomas, Director of User Experience at TaxSlayer, shares how his team captures user data at specific times to make data-driven decisions and presents a strong case to executives, business owners, and product leaders. By using a one-question survey with a one-to-seven scale (Single Ease Question or SEQ) , they prioritize fixes in the backlog and give users a voice without adding any overhead to the team. This episode is a valuable resource for UX design leaders seeking insights into capturing customer data and making better decisions.Topics Covered:- Making data-driven decisions in UX design- Benefits of user-centered design for business success- Importance of data capture tools and user feedback in UX design- Understanding and using Single Ease Question (SEQ) Scores to improve UX design- Prioritizing fixes and challenges in UX design- Building and leading UX research teams- Driving design decisions through in-context data capture- Strategies for Prioritizing Fixes in a UX Design BacklogAbout our Guest:Greg is a software industry veteran with an extensive background in researching and creating user-centered omnichannel customer experiences and in managing, advising Product Management and helping set strategy going forward.Examples of his work can be found on a wide array of platforms including; web, mobile apps, tablet apps, mobile web, point of sale, pin pad, kiosk, voice systems, mobile payment, and internal employee operation systems.Currently, he is the Director of User Experience Design at TaxSlayer.com where he reports to the CEO and works directly with Senior leadership.  Prior to joining TaxSlayer, he worked for Fortune 500 companies such as Walgreens, Motorola and for other industry leaders such as Peapod, and Legacy.com.He holds a Master’s Degree in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University in Chicago, a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Butler University, and an executive certificate in Product Management from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.His innovations have led to him being listed as a co-creator of one patent and sole creator of another.Resources & Links - Find Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gthomas10/- More about Single Ease Question  (SEQ): https://measuringu.com/seq10/#:~:text=The%20Single%20Ease%20Question%20(SEQ)%20is%20a%207%2Dpoint,was%20the%20task%20to%20complete%3F Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy