NN/g UX Podcast (Nielsen Norman Group)
Explorez tous les épisodes de NN/g UX Podcast
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| 26 Nov 2024 | 44. AI & UX Research (feat. Savina Hawkins & Caleb Sponheim) | 00:39:26 | |
To explore how is AI shaping UX research and analysis, host Therese Fessenden shares two interviews on the topic; one with Savina Hawkins, Co-founder of Altis, and one with Caleb Sponheim, UX Specialist at NN/g. In this episode we explore the opportunities AI presents for enhancing productivity and innovation in UX work, alongside the risks and challenges it brings. Savina & Caleb offer practical advice on how UX professionals can leverage AI tools effectively and remain competitive in their field. Learn more about Altis Learn more about Caleb Sponheim, PhD Get trained on using AI for UX work: Practical AI for UX Professionals Course NN/g Articles on Artificial Intelligence Caleb’s Favorite Resources: Optimistic Perspective: Ethan Mollick’s One Useful Thing. Skeptical Perspective: Ed Zitron’s Where’s Your Ed At. Weekly Newsletter | |||
| 08 Oct 2021 | 13. Special Edition: What's the "UX hill" you would die on? | 00:16:56 | |
To kick off Season 2, we're releasing a special edition episode, inspired by a tweet posted by @AllisonGrayce in Feb 2021, where she asks followers, "what's a #ux hill you regularly die on?" Host Therese Fessenden asks both NN/g team members and members of the UXC and UXMC community what issues, topics, and principles they fiercely stand by, and shares their answers. Guests and submissions featured in the episode (in order): Chris Callaghan (UXMC) - UX and Optimisation Director (Manchester, UK) Kara Pernice - Sr. VP at Nielsen Norman Group Mary Formanek (UXMC) - Senior User Experience + Product Lead Engineer (Arizona, US) Ben Shih - UX Consultant and Product Designer (Stockholm, Sweden) Rachel Krause - UX Specialist at Nielsen Norman Group Anna Kaley - UX Specialist at Nielsen Norman Group You can find also information about the upcoming UX Vision and Strategy Series with Anna Kaley and Sarah Gibbons here. | |||
| 14 Oct 2021 | 14. Keeping Product Visions User-Centered (feat. Anna Kaley, UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:30:56 | |
Product visions can align a team and inspire a better future state. When visions stem from real user needs, the ideas that follow have the greatest potential for success. NN/g UX Specialist Anna Kaley discusses keeping users at the center of product development, and shares insights from next weeks' UX Vision and Strategy Series, presented alongside Chief Designer, Sarah Gibbons. Read more about Anna Kaley (NN/g bio) Referenced courses and training series:
Related (free) videos & articles:
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| 05 Jan 2024 | 34. Data-Driven Decision-Making and Intranet Design (feat. Christian Knoebel and Charlie Kreitzberg, Princeton University) | 00:43:24 | |
We often talk about measuring progress, but it can sometimes be harder to do in practice than in theory, especially when you’re combining mixed research methods. However, some teams have managed to not only make sense of the data, but use it to make award-winning designs. In this episode we feature two members of Princeton University’s award-winning intranet team: Charlie Kreitzberg, Senior UX Advisor, and Christian Knoebel, Director Digital Strategy, and how they combined two frameworks: the 5D Rubric and pairLab, to bridge the gap between UX and product design. Related NN/g resources:
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| 04 Jun 2021 | 11. Solo UX: How to Be a One-Person UX Team (feat. Garrett Goldfield, UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:30:21 | |
Advocating for UX work is hard. It's even harder when you're the only UX professional on your team. That said, there is still hope for one-person UX teams, and Garrett Goldfield shares his recommendations on how to make the most out of limited time and resources, and how to lead the charge in shifting corporate culture toward a more human-centered future. Read more about Garrett Goldfield (NN/g bio) Resources & courses cited in this episode:
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| 11 Oct 2024 | 43. Responsible AI (feat. Paige Lord, Sr. Product Marketing Manager at GitHub) | 00:37:16 | |
With AI developing rapidly, and AI policy often lagging behind, calls for responsible tech design and development are louder and more public than ever. In this episode, Paige Lord offers some insight into ways UX professionals can play a role in creating ethical AI products and services. Learn more about Paige Lord: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepaigelord/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aiethicswithpaige YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aiethicswithpaige Substack: https://thepaigelord.substack.com/ Other related content:
Responsible AI Institute: https://www.responsible.ai/ | |||
| 07 Jul 2023 | 30. Stakeholder Relationships (feat. Sarah Gibbons, Vice President at NN/g) | 00:32:08 | |
Building stakeholder relationships is no easy task but it is crucial for getting buy-in, aligning expectations and ultimately building trust. But, what even is a "stakeholder" and how do you know if you have good relationships built? In this episode, we feature a conversation between Samhita Tankala and Sarah Gibbons who discuss the challenges that come with stakeholder management and how to build successful relationships. Learn more about Sarah Gibbons Related NN/g articles, videos, and courses:
Other sources Sarah mentioned:
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| 18 Mar 2022 | 19. Designing a UX Career (feat. Sarah Doody, Founder of the Career Strategy Lab) | 00:47:11 | |
Have you thought about your career lately? Chances are, you have - given the buzz around the record high voluntary resignation rates during this “Great Resignation.” In this episode, Sarah Doody, UX Researcher, Experience Designer, and Founder of the Career Strategy Lab, shares her thoughts on how UX professionals can design their ideal careers, whether they’re in the market for a new role or not. NN/g Resources on UX Careers:
Interested in working with us? Apply to this posting by April 4th | |||
| 13 Sep 2024 | 42. Icons that Work (feat Kate Kaplan, Insights Architect @ NN/g) | 00:35:27 | |
Icons are popular components to incorporate into digital designs that can help simplify user experiences. But, not every icon is created equal. In this episode, Kate Kaplan shares the latest insights from her research on digital iconography which can be found in her new book, Digital Icons that Work. Learn more about Kate Kaplan: Bio | LinkedIn Her book: Digital Icons That Work (nngroup.com) Other Related Articles: | |||
| 06 Nov 2020 | 4. Creativity During a Crisis (feat. Aurora Harley, Sr. UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:30:21 | |
"Diamonds are made under pressure," but what does that mean for creativity and productivity? Aurora Harley, Senior UX Specialist, shares some advice on staying creative and productive during times of stress, thoughts on reframing constraints as opportunities, and tips for nurturing an environment that fosters innovative thought regardless of distance.
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| 03 Feb 2023 | 25. Discount Usability: Expert Reviews and Heuristic Evaluations (feat. Evan Sunwall, UX Specialist, NNg) | 00:35:54 | |
With the recent surge in tech layoffs, a downsizing of UX labor means UX research is harder to do, meaning: research needs to be prioritized in really intentional ways. Discount inspection methods like expert reviews and heuristic evaluations can help identify high-priority design issues that need further research and design effort. In this episode, Evan Sunwall offers some insight into how to facilitate and communicate the results of these inspection methods. Connect with Evan Sunwall on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/esunwall/ Evan's Recommended Further Reading on NN/g:
Other Books:
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| 04 Dec 2020 | 5. ROI: The Business Value of UX (feat. Kate Moran, Sr. UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:26:53 | |
How do you evaluate the impact of UX work? As the world faces another bout of pandemic lockdowns, UX teams are finding themselves in a tough position of justifying their work to business decision-makers. Kate Moran, Senior UX Specialist at NN/g, shares insights from her recently published report on UX Metrics and ROI (return on investment) and offers advice on how to prove your worth. In this episode, we cover: what ROI is and why it matters, avoiding common pitfalls when calculating ROI, and how to stay growth-oriented without harming long-term business strategy. Resources cited in this episode:
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| 04 Dec 2023 | 33. Tracking UX Progress with Metrics (feat. Dr. John Pagonis, UXMC, Qualitative and Quantitative Researcher) | 00:44:06 | |
Measuring a user experience can be intimidating at first, but it's an essential part of determining whether your work is moving in the right direction (and by how much). UX Master Certified Dr. John Pagonis shares his experiences from working with other organizations on measuring UX improvements and interpreting quantitative data. Learn more about John Pagonis:
NN/g Resources about Usability and UX Metrics:
NN/g Articles about Microsoft's Desirability Toolkit and Adjectives List
Jeff Sauro, PhD on UX-Lite, UMUX-Lite, SUS, SEQ (an aside: his website, MeasuringU.com, is an excellent resource) | |||
| 20 Dec 2024 | 45. Choosing Better User Impact Metrics (feat. Connor Joyce, Author & Behavioral Scientist) | 00:42:11 | |
Most experienced professionals in the industry will tell you that the best designs don't operate in a vacuum. Yet, most of our measurement approaches do. How do you know you're actually making a measurable impact toward users' long-term goals? Connor Joyce, author of the book, Bridging Intention to Impact, shares his thoughts on how to create and evaluate products that center on meaningful user outcomes. Order the book
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| 02 Jul 2021 | 12. ResearchOps (feat. Kara Pernice, Sr. VP at NN/g) | 00:32:09 | |
One might think user research gets easier when there are more people available to do it; but managing research initiatives at scale can be a difficult task in itself. In this episode, Kara Pernice, Senior VP at NN/g shares her experience and insights about managing UX research operations. Kara Pernice's Articles and Videos (NN/g bio) NN/g courses and articles referenced in this episode:
Research repository tools mentioned: Other ResearchOps pioneers and communities:
...and if you were curious what research papers launched Kara into her UX career, here are two of them:
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| 25 Oct 2024 | Bonus: Journey-Centric Design: The Evolution of UX Design Operations (feat. Kim Flaherty, NN/g) | 00:36:45 | |
Product-centric design can be an efficient way to design interfaces, but it can often lead to disjointed and poorly optimized customer journey experiences. Kim Flaherty shares her recent research into journey-centric design, and insights on how a journey-centric design practice can help organizations overcome product-centric challenges. Report: Architecting a Journey Management Practice Learn more about Kim: NN/g Resources about Journey Management: The 3 Competencies of Journey Management (5-min video) Journey Management vs. Service Design (4-min video) The Practice of Customer-Journey Management (free article) Customer Journeys and Omnichannel UX (free article) Journey Mapping to Understand Customer Needs (UX Certification course) | |||
| 10 May 2024 | 39. Cross-Cultural UX Research (feat. Feifei Liu, International UX Researcher) | 00:29:04 | |
Expanding into global markets is a key priority for companies in today's interconnected world. While many companies rely on translations for their digital platforms, this is just one aspect of effective global expansion. In this episode, we're joined by Feifei Liu, International UX Researcher at NN/g. She discusses the importance of cross-cultural research and its role in helping organizations effectively expand into international markets while honoring cultural values and practices. NN/g Articles & Training Courses Modify Your Design For Global Audiences: Cross Cultural UX Design International Usability Testing: Why You Need It? Cultural Differences in User Research Facilitation Translate User-Generated Content For Global Audiences 4 Ways to Support International Purchasers 6 Tips for Improving Language Switchers on Ecommerce Sites Other Resources Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory Chapters (0:00) Intro (01:15) Cross-cultural UX research: What is it? (06:57) Importance of cross-cultural UX research (09:46) Factors designers and researchers need to consider when creating cross-cultural designs (13:07) Example of a localized design (Australian pharmacy website) (15:34) Developing a cultural lens (18:42) Facilitating cross-cultural UX research (25:19) Keeping up with cultural trends | |||
| 21 Mar 2025 | 48. What is Object-Oriented UX (feat. Sophia Prater, Rewired UX) | 00:41:31 | |
UX practitioners often struggle with shifting requirements and increasing product complexity, making it difficult to design intuitive experiences. Object-Oriented UX (OOUX) offers a structured approach to simplify digital products by focusing on core objects rather than pages or screens. Sophia Prater explains how this method improves usability, reduces inconsistencies, and streamlines collaboration across teams. About Sophia Prater: Bio (via RewiredUX.com) | LinkedIn | Instagram Learn more about Object-Oriented UX: Upcoming Free UX Level-Up Training OOUX for AI & AI for OOUX (course) Related NN/g Courses & Resources: UX Basic Training (full-day or 2 half-day course) What is Object-Oriented UX? (3-min video) | |||
| 08 Sep 2023 | 32. Conducting Research with Employees (feat. Angie Li, UXMC, Senior Manager of Product Design at Asurion) | 00:43:15 | |
Research with employees might sound easy in theory: you work in the same company as the people you need to observe or interview, and you might not even need to pay them for input. However, there's a bit more to it than meets the eye. In this episode, we feature UX Master Certified Angie Li, and she discusses what has helped her organize and run successful research with internal team members. NN/g Articles & Training Courses
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| 02 Feb 2024 | 35. Wireframing & Prototyping (feat. Leon Barnard, Content Manager, Balsamiq) | 00:37:11 | |
Wireframing is an incredibly useful design technique to flesh out conceptual ideas and communicate them to others. However, with the advent of powerful prototyping tools, some designers may think of these as irrelevant or outdated practices. Leon Barnard, Content Manager at Balsamiq and co-author of the book Wireframing for Everyone, discusses why he thinks wireframing is not only still relevant, but essential for maximizing creativity and innovative thinking.
Related NN/g Articles & Training Courses
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| 05 May 2023 | 28. Games User Research (feat. Steve Bromley, author and games user researcher) | 00:34:23 | |
Have you ever wondered what it's like to usability test a video game? Or what goes on behind the scenes of gaming studios as they prepare for big release dates? In this episode, games user researcher Steve Bromley shares how he got into the field, and what makes games different from traditional user experiences. Steve's Website: gamesuserresearch.com; Steve's Book: How To Be A Games User Researcher Other websites Steve Mentioned
NN/g's Free Articles and Videos on Games & Gamification:
NN/g UX Certification Courses (full-day or half-day formats) | |||
| 08 Apr 2023 | 27. Customer Journey Management (feat. Kim Salazar, Sr. UX Specialist at NN/g and Jochem van der Veer, CEO/Co-Founder of TheyDo) | 00:41:12 | |
If you ask experienced UX practitioners how to stay user-centric, you’ll inevitably hear something about the importance of customer journeys. However, as teams become more mature in their UX practices, the number of journeys being tracked and analyzed has been growing, sometimes faster than teams can manage, leading to scattered and uncoordinated redesign efforts. In this episode, we hear some tips about customer journey management from Kim Salazar of NN/g and Jochem van der Veer of TheyDo, a customer journey management platform. Learn more about the episode guests: Related NN/g courses & reports:
Related NN/g articles & videos:
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| 11 Aug 2023 | 31. Service Design 101 (feat. Thomas Wilson, UXMC, Senior Principal Service Designer & Strategist) | 00:37:18 | |
Members of our UX Master Certified community are applying UX principles to their work in a range of different ways. In this episode, we interview Thomas Wilson, Senior Principal Service Designer at United Healthcare and discuss what service design is and what makes it challenging and rewarding. Learn more about Thomas Wilson: LinkedIn NN/g Service Design Resources:
Some of the (many) people and organizations Thomas mentioned: | |||
| 07 May 2021 | 10. On Delight, Emotion, and UX - Flipping the Script with UX Specialists Therese Fessenden & Rachel Krause | 00:29:27 | |
To celebrate our first podcast milestone, we flipped the script. NN/g UX Specialist Rachel Krause guest-hosts this episode, and interviews host Therese Fessenden about the concept of "delight" in user experience: what it is, why the pursuit of delight can often be a short-sighted and misunderstood endeavor, and how a more holistic approach to interpreting and anticipating user needs can more reliably lead to an experience that delights beyond a single interaction. Read more about the hosts:
Free resources cited in this episode:
Other resources cited in this episode:
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| 30 Sep 2022 | 23. Building Better Products with a Better Mindset (feat. Ryan Hudson-Peralta, Principal Experience Designer at Rocket Homes) | 00:27:02 | |
Building exceptional experiences usable by all is no easy feat. Focusing on what can be influenced and accepting what cannot be changed are two critical steps to crafting better products... and careers. We spoke with Ryan Hudson-Peralta, a principal experience designer at Rocket Homes, who often introduces himself as a "father, husband, international speaker, and designer... who just happens to be born without hands." Ryan shares a bit about his journey into the UX field, and how his mindset of curiosity and positivity allows him to create meaningful experiences with his designs and with his career. Learn more about Ryan Hudson-Peralta: lookmomnohands.com If you would like to learn about UX design, we have thousands of articles and videos at our website www.nngroup.com. Full-Day Design Courses (also available in 2 half-day formats) | |||
| 04 Feb 2022 | 18. Presenting UX Work in a Compelling Way (feat. David Glazier, Senior Staff UX Designer at Illumina) | 00:33:03 | |
UX professionals often find themselves saddled with the burden of convincing others to value UX work. David Glazier, Sr. Staff UX Lead of Digital Experience at Illumina tells his story about how effective communication helped him get buy-in with stakeholders and key decision-makers. Read more about David Glazier on LinkedIn Courses & Talks mentioned in this episode:
More articles, videos, and upcoming training can be found at www.nngroup.com | |||
| 01 Jan 2021 | 6. Ethics in UX (feat. Maria Rosala, UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:27:09 | |
Aren't all "user-centered" designs ethical by default if we're giving people what they want? Not exactly. Maria Rosala, UX Specialist at NN/g, shares her thoughts about how we can be better researchers and designers by asking critical questions about our research and design decisions, evaluating important tradeoffs, and ensuring we include the right people in our research and design process. Resources Cited in this Episode:
Also related: How Inclusive Design Expands Business Value (1-hr online seminar) | |||
| 23 Aug 2024 | 41. UX Accessibility and Designing for Neurodiversity (feat. Stéphanie Walter) | 00:36:51 | |
Accessibility isn’t a novel concept, but in the realm of digital design, it's rare to find a product or service that's truly accessible to a broad audience with many needs. In this episode, Stéphanie Walter shares a bit about what got her interested in accessibility to begin with, what accessibility truly means in UX, some common misconceptions, and how designers can create more inclusive experiences. Learn more about Stéphanie Walter: LinkedIn | stephaniewalter.design Related NN/g Resources: Accessibility and Inclusivity Study Guide (free article) How to Conduct Usability Studies with Accessibility Report (free report) Usability Guidelines for Accessible Web Design Report (free report) Accessibility Articles and Videos Emerging Patterns in Interface Design Course (NN/g UX Certification-eligible course) | |||
| 28 Mar 2024 | Bonus Episode: Design’s Role as AI Expands (Feat. Don Norman and Sarah Gibbons, VP at NN/g) | 00:33:19 | |
AI is changing faster than we can sometimes process and will likely do so for a while. The recent tech layoffs have also not spared UX professionals, adding to the uncertainty about our future roles in this rapidly changing environment. While there is still much we don't know about AI, Don Norman, co-founder of NN/g, and Sarah Gibbons, VP at NN/g, share their insights on the future roles of designers, encouraging professionals to think big in the wake of AI's advancements. Related NN/g Articles & Training Courses Generative UI and Outcome-Oriented Design The 4 Degrees of Anthropomorphism of Generative AI AI Chat Is Not (Always) the Answer AI-Powered Tools for UX Research: Issues and Limitations Prompt Structure in Conversations with Generative AI Sycophancy in Generative-AI Chatbots New Course: Practical AI for UX Professionals Other Related Content Chapters 0:00-1:12 - Intro 1:13-18:18 - What will design’s role be as AI expands? 18:18-23:15 - What is going to stay the same as AI expands? 23:16-end - Rapid Fire Questions | |||
| 03 Jun 2022 | 21. Making Your Visual Designs Work Harder For You (feat. Kelley Gordon, Digital Design Lead at NN/g) | 00:34:42 | |
Visual design takes a lot more work than just making things look pretty, and is a fundamental part of many user's experiences. Our digital design lead, Kelley Gordon, shares some practical tips for both designers and "non-designers" alike to strengthen visual designs and improve working relationships. Read more about Kelley Gordon here Full-day courses and 1-Hour Talks referenced in this episode:
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| 01 Mar 2024 | 37. XR: Improving Learning Outcomes | 00:32:15 | |
Extended reality (XR) experiences hold the potential to transform the way we learn, work, and collaborate. Specifically, it can make educational experiences more interactive, engaging and ultimately drive higher learning outcomes. In this episode, we feature Jan Plass, who discusses the affordances of XR technology, provides examples of XR learning experiences and shares his expectations for its impact on the education landscape. Jan Plass is a Professor at New York University, Paulette Goddard Chair, and Director of CREATE. Learn more about Jan Plass: CREATE Lab Looking Inside Cells On the Morning You Wake Verizon AR/VR Learning Apps (i.e. Visceral Science, Mapper's Delight, UNSUNG, Looking Inside Cells etc.) NN/g ARTICLES & TRAINING COURSES Augmented/Virtual Reality vs. Computer Screens 10 Usability Heuristics Applied to Virtual Reality Virtual Reality and User Experience Emerging Patterns in Interface Design (full-day/2 half-day UXC course) The Design of Everyday Things CHAPTERS: 0:00-3:13 - Intro 3:13-5:35 - What is XR? 5:35-8:54 - XR as a Learning Opportunity 8:54-12:19 - Examples of XR for learning 12:19-15:30 - Evidence of Learning with VR Technology 15:30-18.51 - Can VR features Induce Emotions and Result in Better Learning Outcomes? 18:51-23.45 - Comparing UX in 2D and 3D spaces? 23:45-27:41 - Accessibility and Inclusivity in XR 27:41 - XR Development: The Role of Affordances | |||
| 18 Apr 2025 | 49. Design Leadership & Org Design (feat. Peter Merholz, co-author of Org Design for Design Orgs) | 00:43:19 | |
In this episode, Peter Merholz—co-founder of Adaptive Path and co-author of Org Design for Design Orgs—joins us to talk about what it really takes to build and scale effective design teams. We explore the systems, structures, and leadership mindsets that shape successful organizations, the relationships between product and design teams, and how design leaders can foster clarity, consistency, and impact as their teams grow. Whether you’re managing a team or aspiring to, this conversation is packed with insights on navigating the evolving role of design in today’s organizations. Learn More About Peter: Website: https://petermerholz.com/ Newsletter: https://petermerholz.com/newsletter/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/petermerholz Podcast: https://findingourway.design/ Book: https://orgdesignfordesignorgs.com/ Full-Day Courses (also available in half-day formats): DesignOps: Scaling UX Design: https://www.nngroup.com/courses/scaling-ux-design-and-user-research/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ep50 Product and UX: Building Partnerships for Better Outcomes: https://www.nngroup.com/courses/product-and-ux/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ep50 Leading Highly Effective UX Teams: https://www.nngroup.com/courses/leading-ux-teams/?lm=pm-ux-different-views-of-responsibilities&pt=article&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ep50 UX Leader: Essential Skills for Any UX Practitioner: https://www.nngroup.com/courses/ux-leadership-skills-for-all/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ep50 New UX Managers: https://www.nngroup.com/courses/new-manager/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ep50 Related Free NN/g Articles: DesignOps: Study Guide: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/design-ops-study-guide/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ep50 Product & UX: Study Guide: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/product-and-ux-study-guide/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ep50 PM and UX Have Markedly Different Views of Their Job Responsibilities: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/pm-ux-different-views-of-responsibilities/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ep50 | |||
| 02 Apr 2021 | 9. You Are Not the User: How the the False Consensus Effect Can Lead Good Design Astray (feat. Alita Joyce, UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:29:00 | |
Does having more experience in the UX industry enable you to make better design decisions by intuition? Does user research ever become a waste of time if some research already exists in academic papers? The answer, it seems, is not that simple. In this episode, UX Specialists Alita Joyce and Therese Fessenden discuss why, after all these years doing independent user research, you should still test your interfaces and research with your own customers. Free resources cited in this episode:
Other resources cited in this episode:
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| 05 Feb 2021 | 7. Lessen Digital Misery with Complex Apps (feat. Page Laubheimer, Sr. UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:30:14 | |
"Keep it simple," is one of many great UX mantras... but how exactly does someone "keep it simple" when working with complex applications? In this episode, Page Laubheimer, Senior UX Specialist with NN/g, shares his expertise in information architecture (IA) and complex app design, recommends a few ideas to "lessen digital misery" on business-to-business (B2B) and enterprise applications, and offers advice for when you have to redesign a legacy application that is part of a user's everyday life. Resources cited in this episode:
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| 06 Jan 2023 | 24. Artificial Intelligence: What Is It? What Is It Not? (feat. Susan Farrell, Principal UX Researcher at mmhmm.app) | 00:35:35 | |
The term artificial intelligence, AI, is having a bit of a boom, with the explosion in popularity of tools like ChatGPT, Lensa, DALL•E 2, and many others. The praises of AI have been equally met with skepticism and criticism, with cautionary tales about AI information quality, plagiarism, and other risks. Susan Farrell, the Principal UX Researcher at mmhmm, shares a bit about her experiences in researching chatbots and AI driven tools, and defines what AI is, what it isn’t, and what teams should consider when implementing AI systems.
Recommended Reading to deep dive into artificial intelligence & machine learning:
Interested in working for us? Check out our job posting and apply by Jan. 30, 2023. | |||
| 21 Feb 2025 | 47. Designing AI Experiences: What to Consider (feat. Caleb Sponheim PhD, NN/g) | 00:39:39 | |
As AI continues to evolve, designers are increasingly finding themselves tasked with creating AI-powered experiences—often without prior experience in the space. In this episode, NN/g UX Specialist Caleb Sponheim discusses the current state of AI tools, what’s working (and what’s not), and how designers can position themselves to navigate this shift. We also explore what it really means to develop AI safely and how designers can play a role in ensuring ethical, user-friendly AI experiences. About the speaker: Bio | LinkedIn Full-Day Course: Designing AI Experiences(also available in half-day formats) Related NN/g Articles: | |||
| 08 Nov 2021 | 15. The Metaverse, Blockchain, and UX (feat. Geoff Robertson, Founder & UX Specialist at Chockablock) | 00:59:04 | |
A two-part podcast episode discussing the implications of decentralized computing and mixed reality on the future of UX work. Geoff's Website: geoffrobertson.me 1-Hour Talks discussed in the episode: Related courses:
Upcoming online events:
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| 24 Jan 2025 | 46. Getting Strategic About Research (feat. Kate Towsey, author of Research that Scales) | 00:50:07 | |
As tech layoffs and budget cuts dominate the start of the year, UX teams are navigating a critical challenge: proving the value of research while doing more with less. In this episode, NN/g Director of Research Maria Rosala sits down with ResearchOps pioneer Kate Towsey to explore how ResearchOps can help teams think strategically about the impact and efficiency of their research. Learn more about Kate Towsey Kate’s Book: Research That Scales: The Research Operations Handbook Kate's Substack: Scaling and Systematising Research Kate’s Masterclasses in Australia and Europe: Defining a ResearchOps Strategy, 2025 Kate's ChaCha Club - a member's club for ResearchOps professionals: https://chacha.club/ NN/g Courses and Content on ResearchOps Full-Day Course: ResearchOps Free Article: Research Ops 101 4-min Video: Strategic vs Reactionary Research 4-min Video: Research Repositories 101 3-min Video: Research Participant Database | |||
| 09 Oct 2020 | 3. UX Careers: Growing in (and out of) Your Current Role (feat. Rachel Krause, UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:24:49 | |
What does a typical UX career path look like? Are there even typical career paths in UX? How can you become a UX leader? What should new and seasoned UX professionals keep in mind as they move through their careers? Rachel Krause, a UX Specialist at Nielsen Norman Group, shares her insights from her research on the UX profession, and perspectives from her own journey into the field of user experience. Resources Cited in this Episode:
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| 10 Aug 2020 | 1. What is UX, anyway? (feat. Dr. Jakob Nielsen, the usability guru) | 00:16:53 | |
Nielsen Norman Group is celebrating its 22nd anniversary by launching our very own NN/g UX Podcast. Join host Therese Fessenden as she interviews NN/g co-founder Dr. Jakob Nielsen on the most important questions about our industry: What really is "user experience," anyway? And what is the state of UX now, compared to when NN/g started 22 years ago? Resources Cited in this Episode:
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| 12 Aug 2022 | 22. UX, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (feat. Kenya Oduor, Ph.D., founder of Lean Geeks) | 00:31:32 | |
How has the UX field changed over the years? What does the future of UX work look like if scope is wildly expanding? Will we be automated out of a job? What should teams do to ensure they’re not misinterpreting data? Kenya Oduor shares her thoughts on these questions and more, offering suggestions for UX professionals wishing to set themselves up for success in a future of coexistence with artificial intelligence systems and automation. (Surprisingly, these tips are quite helpful for planning and analyzing quantitative user research as well.) Learn more about Kenya Oduor, Ph.D. and Lean Geeks: Bio, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, LeanGeeks.net Related NN/g Articles & Videos: The Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and User Experience (4 min video) AI & Machine Learning Will Change UX Research & Design (11 min video) 10 Usability Heuristics in Interface Design (article) Visibility of System Status (Usability Heuristic #1) (article) Hierarchy of Trust: The 5 Experiential Levels of Commitment (article) Related NN/g Course: Emerging Patterns in Interface Design (UXC course - full day or 2 half-days) | |||
| 02 Jun 2023 | 29. UX Mentorship (feat. Tim Neusesser, UX Specialist at NN/g, and Travis Grawey, Director of Product Design at OfficeSpace) | 00:36:21 | |
The importance of mentorship for personal and professional development is an often-discussed topic, yet it can be challenging to find a mentor or become a mentor yourself. In this episode, we feature a conversation between a mentee, NN/g’s Tim Neusesser, and his mentor, Travis Grawey. In this episode they discuss how mentorship has impacted both of their careers. Learn more about Tim Neusesser Learn more about Travis Grawey (who mentors along with many others at ADPList) Related NN/g articles & videos:
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| 13 Oct 2023 | Quick Update: Episodes Now On YouTube! | 00:02:06 | |
(But don't worry, we will still continue publishing future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms!) | |||
| 11 Apr 2024 | 38. User Interviews (feat. Steve Portigal, Research Consultant and Author) | 00:45:43 | |
In this episode, we dive into User Interviews with Steve Portigal, discussing their critical role in product development and design research. User interviews, a qualitative method, involve conversations with users to gather insights about their experiences, behaviors, and needs. We discuss the benefits of this approach, such as deep user empathy and informed decision making, alongside common challenges like bias and recruitment. Join us in understanding when to use user interviews and how to get the most out of them. NN/g Articles & Training Courses User Interviews (full-day/2 half-day UXC course) User Interviews 101 (free article) The 3 Types of User Interviews: Structured, Semi-Structured, and Unstructured (free video) When to Use Which User-Experience Research Methods (free article) 5 Facilitation Mistakes to Avoid During User Interviews (free article) Learn more about Steve Portigal Interviewing Users (2nd Edition) 20% discount code: interviewing | |||
| 03 Mar 2023 | 26. The Evolution of UX (feat. Dr. Jakob Nielsen, Co-Founder & Principal, NN/g) | 00:32:56 | |
The UX industry has recently seen what some call "unprecedented" shifts with layoffs and generative artificial intelligence rapidly changing how UX work is done. However, there have been similarly turbulent periods in tech, decades before. Dr. Jakob Nielsen reflects on the changes that have taken place over the near 25 years Nielsen Norman Group has been around, and discusses whether or not generative AI is just a phase or truly the next chapter of UX work. Learn more about Dr. Jakob Nielsen Past keynote speeches by Dr. Jakob Nielsen Topics Covered:
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| 16 Feb 2024 | 36. AI & UX: Innovations, Challenges, and Impact | 00:45:22 | |
The surge of AI is currently changing the way we work and live. To avoid feeling left behind, it is important to engage with and understand these tools. This is true for UX designers just as much as almost everybody else. In this episode, we feature Henry Modisett from Perplexity AI and Kate Moran to get two insightful perspectives on the current state of AI and its connection to UX. Learn more about Henry Modisett Learn more about Kate Moran Perplexity.AI NN/g ARTICLES & TRAINING COURSES AI for UX: Getting Started (free article) AI & Machine Learning Will Change UX Research & Design (free video) AI Improves Employee Productivity by 66% (free article) AI-Powered Tools for UX Research: Issues and Limitations (free article) AI: First New UI Paradigm in 60 Years (free article) Sycophancy in Generative-AI Chatbots (free article) Information Foraging with Generative AI: A Study of 3 Chatbots (free article) The ELIZA Effect: Why We Love AI (free article) Practical AI for UX Professionals (full-day/2 half-day UXC course) CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:43 Perplexity AI: History & Value Proposition 10:30 Perplexity AI: Next Steps & Future Developments 15:04 Making AI User Friendly: Generative Interfaces 24:33 Understanding AI as a Consumer Product 28:28 Mental Models for AI 30:41 An Outlook for AI 35:51 NN/g’s Role in the AI Movement 37:34 Anthropomorphism of AI 40:07 Dealing with the Fear of AI | |||
| 07 Jan 2022 | 17. User Research Trends: What's Changed and What Hasn't (feat. Erin May and JH Forster, hosts of Awkward Silences) | 00:34:28 | |
There is no question that user research has changed over the last two years, but how significant are those changes? The answer is complex, but User Interviews' Erin May (VP Growth & Marketing) and JH Forster (VP Product) demystify these trends and share their observations and hopes for the years to come. Check out the Awkward Silences podcast by User Interviews Erin May: Twitter (@erinhmay), LinkedIn John-Henry (JH) Forster: Twitter (@jhforster), LinkedIn User Interviews: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook Related NN/g Articles & Videos: Recruiting and Screening Candidate for User Research Studies (article) Qualitative Research Study Guide (article) Quantitative Research Study Guide (article) Related 1-Hour Talks: Remote Research Trends (1-Hour Talk) How Inclusive Design Expands Business Value (1-Hour Talk) Upcoming Training Events: Virtual UX Conference January 8-21 (2 half-day format) Qualitative Research Series April 4-8 (5-day training event) User Interviews Links: The State of User Research 2021 Report Recruit 3 research participants for free on UserInterviews.com | |||
| 04 Sep 2020 | 2. Empathy, Adaptability, and Design (feat. Sarah Gibbons, Chief Designer at NN/g) | 00:30:02 | |
Sarah Gibbons & Therese Fessenden discuss empathy and adaptability as critical design skills (perhaps now more than ever) and share thoughts on how design plays a bigger role than meets the eye. Resources cited in this episode:
Also related: Brené on Comparative Suffering, the 50/50 Myth, and Settling the Ball (Unlocking Us with Brené Brown podcast episode) | |||
| 19 Apr 2022 | 20. What Makes a "Good" UX Professional? | 00:33:05 | |
What does it take to be successful in the field of user experience? There isn't a single, clear-cut answer, but there are a number of different skills, traits, and perspectives that foster better workplace relationships and strengthen creative problem-solving. Anna Kaley and other fellow NN/g UX Specialists offer their insights on the commonalities that highly effective UX professionals seem to share, and how they can enable more human-centered outcomes.
In this episode...
Anna Kaley proposes "6 C's" list of characteristics that enable UX practitioners to succeed in the workplace.
Maria Rosala shares some findings from our UX careers research, which prove have some timeless advice, despite frequent changes in the industry.
Tanner Kohler highlights the importance of human-centered research versus feature-focused research in creating human-centered designs.
Rachel Krause offers recommendations on how to evolve from being a designer in isolation into a designer with influence.
Kim Salazar discusses the necessity to see ambiguity not as something to be feared, but as something to be explored.
Finally, a featured clip from UX Certified community member, Katherine Joyce which celebrates habits and mindsets to which we all can aspire.
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| 13 Dec 2021 | 16. What's up with DesignOps? (feat. Kate Kaplan, Insights Architect at NN/g) | 00:30:12 | |
As design teams mature in size and scope, the importance of intentionally designing and systematizing processes, approaches, and tools becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. Kate Kaplan shares insights from her research studying design teams and offers tips for those seeking to initiate and lead DesignOps efforts as a way to make design more impactful at their organizations. Learn more about Kate Kaplan on LinkedIn and nngroup.com NN/g Resources Mentioned:
Other Links Mentioned: A note on companies to follow, from Kate: "There are so many teams at different organizations publicly sharing and publishing their DesignOps journeys and experiments, and I think that willingness to share is amazing and points to the greater community being built around DesignOps. Some that come top of mind to follow are Salesforce, Cisco, IBM, AirBnB, Pinterest, Athena Health, Atlassian. Most of these companies have internal design blogs or medium channels where they share their approaches." | |||
| 05 Mar 2021 | 8. Thinking Beyond Interactions: Omnichannel Experiences and CX (feat. Kim Salazar, Sr. UX Specialist at NN/g) | 00:29:33 | |
What does it take to create a great customer experience? As it turns out: a lot more than just a series of great interactions. Kim Salazar, Sr. UX Specialist, shares her expertise on what omnichannel experiences are, why they matter for CX, and how having a mature CX means fundamentally changing how we view and handle UX work. Resources cited in this episode
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| 19 Jul 2024 | 40. Managing Priorities (feat. Harry Max, author and managing partner at Peak Priorities LLC) | 00:44:10 | |
“If you squint hard enough, every problem is a prioritization problem.” -Harry Max UX professionals are often faced with the challenge of managing backlogged work and doing so with limited time, budget, and resources. In this episode, we chat with Harry Max about the common misconceptions with prioritization and how to get better at it over time. NN/g Articles & Training Courses
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