The UX Level-Up

Explore the transformative power of object prioritization in design processes and how it can alleviate creative chaos. The host shares a journey of self-discovery, discussing the emotional burden of unfinished projects and the importance of acceptance. Discover strategies for managing software design challenges, focusing on objects rather than pages to enhance user experience. The conversation wraps up with encouragement to let go of unproductive commitments, highlighting personal growth and closure in the creative journey.

In this episode, Sophia gets real about the tension between OOUX in theory vs. the messy reality of the real world. Learn how to ask those jaw-dropping, scope-shifting “why?” questions without annoying leadership. She breaks it down into four pro-level steps so you can bring more clarity, alignment, and confidence to your work.LINKS:Join the UX Level-Up free on OOUX.com/levelup! Join the conversation on the OOUX Forum

The host dives into the importance of asking the right questions in design, showing how this shapes perception and understanding of user needs. The discussion highlights the concept of 'complexity wranglers'—designers who tackle interconnected global challenges. Emphasizing systems thinking, they argue for a deeper approach that fosters collaboration and innovation in creating humane technologies. The podcast also explores how understanding human behavior can lead to richer user experiences and effective design solutions.

Frameworks don’t kill creativity — they set it free.In this episode, we're breaking down why UX designers who jump into UI too soon miss the real opportunity for innovation.I’ll show you how ORCA (Objects, Relationships, Calls-to-Action, Attributes) gives you real material to build with — fueling true creativity, better ideas, and a serious competitive edge.🎧 Tune in to rethink your brainstorming, unleash deeper innovation, and start sketching systems, not just screens.LINKS:Join the waitlist for OOUX Foundations!

Discover how OOUX can revolutionize your learning process! The host shares personal growth experiences, highlighting the transformative power of coaching. Learn why investing in self-improvement is crucial for mastering complicated subjects. Dive into effective educational strategies that boost understanding and retention. Plus, find out how stepping away from screens can enhance your comprehension and embodiment of concepts. This episode celebrates the journey of cultivating new skills and trusting your instincts in personal development.

The UX job market is rough. Veterans are being laid off, juniors are struggling to find jobs, and yet, digital experiences are clunky and getting worse. What gives?In this raw and honest solo-episode, Sophia explores why UX has been set up to fail — why big problems remain unsolved, and why leadership often undervalues UX work. You'll hear how we've been pushed into pixel-pushing and spackling over the cracks of complexity instead of tackling structural solutions. And why that's not good enough anymore.But there’s hope. UX can evolve, and we can take back our craft. Discover the Five Core Level-Ups that will empower you to redefine your role and bring deeper meaning into your work.If you are ready for a deep dive into Sophia’s practical how-to, Join our  90-minute, totally free training: The UX Level-Up. You'll learn 20 actionable strategies to start leveling up immediately—yes, right after the training.👉 Register here: https://www.ooux.com/levelupLet’s stop spackling. Let’s build better.

Sophia dives into the intriguing concept of world models in AI, discussing their potential for creating human-like intelligence. She evaluates the arguments for and against training AI with these models, referencing insights from Melanie Mitchell's work. The conversation highlights the limitations of large language models and their reliance on shortcuts rather than true comprehension. Additionally, the principles of Object-Oriented UX are explored as essential tools for enhancing mental models and improving user experience in AI design.

As president of Catbird Content, Torrey Podmajersky helps teams solve business and customer problems using UX and content. She has written inclusive and accessible consumer and professional experiences at Google, OfferUp, and Microsoft, and now for clients of Catbird Content. She wrote the best-selling Strategic Writing for UX, and teaches at schools and conferences in North America and Europe.In this episode of the podcast, Sophia and Torrey talk about why people tend to be biased toward stories they understand, how facilitating with sticky notes helps level the playing field for ideas, and how Torrey used OOUX to untangle the “spaghetti” of requirements, system objects, and team vernacular at a large company we all know. Follow Torrey on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Afflilate link to Torrey's book⁠, "Strategic Writing for UX" ⁠Early release second edition of Strategic Writing for UX⁠ Learn about Catbird: ⁠www.catbirdcontent.com⁠ Early release chapters (so far) of UX Skills for Business Strategy⁠ Sign up for UX Level-Up!

In this enlightening discussion, Allie O'Fisher, an OOUX superstar and UX consultant, delves into the essentials of Object-Oriented User Experience. She clarifies the ORCA process for simplifying complex digital environments. Listeners will gain insights into how OOUX can enhance user experiences and foster intuitive design. Allie humorously critiques a poorly designed zoo and emphasizes the importance of consistency in UX. She also explores how understanding users' mental models can significantly improve digital interactions.

Raktim Chatterjee is a Certified OOUX Strategist and the Lead UX Consultant at Xebia, a global IT consultancy. In this episode, Sophia and Raktim talk about how to get buy-in on OOUX with stakeholders by reviewing headaches from previous projects through an OOUX lens and by meeting people where they are, why OOUX becomes exponentially beneficial when all team members know the fundamentals, and just how much OOUX it's possible to do in just 45 minutes. This is a great conversation on the nuts and bolts of getting started with OOUX at work. Enjoy! LINKS: Connect with Raktim on LinkedIn Or email Raktim at raktim.ux@gmail.com. He'd love to talk to you about your OOUX questions. Join the waitlist for Cohort 11 of the OOUX Certification Program Join the waitlist for the new and improved Self-Paced OOUX Masterclass Join the vibrant OOUX Community over on the OOUX Forum! It's free to join.