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: Imagery in Visual Design Article Digital Icons UX Quiz

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 WCAG Standards 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)

“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. ⁠Learn more about Harry Max NN/g Articles & Training Courses 5 Prioritization Methods in UX Roadmapping (free article) Using Prioritization Matrices to Inform UX Decisions (free article) Using Trade-Off Scales for Prioritization in UX Design Projects (2 min video) Incorporating UX Work into Your Agile Backlog (free article) Related Courses UX Roadmaps Design Tradeoffs and UX Decision-Making Generating Big Ideas with Design Thinking

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. ⁠Learn more about Feifei Liu⁠ 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

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

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 AI as a UX Assistant 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 ⁠Don Norman’s Website⁠ 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

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 LabLooking Inside CellsOn the Morning You WakeVerizon AR/VR Learning Apps (i.e. Visceral Science, Mapper's Delight, UNSUNG, Looking Inside Cells etc.)NN/g ARTICLES & TRAINING COURSESAugmented/Virtual Reality vs. Computer Screens10 Usability Heuristics Applied to Virtual RealityVirtual Reality and User ExperienceEmerging 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

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 ModisettLearn 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

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. Connect with Leon Barnard Balsamiq Wireframing AcademyWireframing for Everyone (book) by Michael Angeles, Leon Barnard, & Billy Carlson Related NN/g Articles & Training Courses How to Draw a Wireframe (Even if You Can’t Draw) (free article) UX Basics: Study Guide (collection of free articles) UX Basic Training (UX certification course) UX Deliverables (UX certification course) Visual Design Fundamentals (UX certification course)

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. Learn about the 5-D Rubric Learn about pairLab Related NN/g resources: 10 Best Intranets of 2022 (the year Princeton University won) (free article) Intranet & Enterprise Design Study Guide (free article) Past Intranet Design Annual: 2022 (the year Princeton University won) (534-page report) Intranet Design Annual: 2023 (most recent awards) (483-page report)

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: Connect on LinkedIn Watch a past keynote talk: Usefulness measurement: A practical guide for all UXers (37 min video)⁠ NN/g Resources about Usability and UX Metrics: Usefulness, Utility, and Usability by Jakob Nielsen, PhD (2-min video) The UX Unicorn Myth (decathlon analogy, explained, 2-min video) Usability 101 by Jakob Nielsen, PhD (free article) Measuring UX and ROI (full-day course for UX certification) ⁠UX Metrics and ROI by Kate Moran⁠⁠ (297-page report) NN/g Articles about Microsoft's Desirability Toolkit and Adjectives List ⁠Using the Microsoft Desirability Toolkit to Test Visual Appeal⁠ (free article) ⁠Microsoft Desirability Toolkit Product Reaction Words⁠ (free article) Jeff Sauro, PhD on UX-Lite, UMUX-Lite, SUS, SEQ (an aside: his website, MeasuringU.com, is an excellent resource) 10 Things To Know About The Single Ease Question (SEQ) Measuring Usability with the System Usability Scale (SUS) 5 Ways to Interpret a SUS Score Measuring Usability: From the SUS to the UMUX-Lite ⁠Evolution of the UX-Lite⁠

(But don't worry, we will still continue publishing future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms!) Check out our YouTube Channel here Go to our YouTube Podcast playlist

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. Learn more about Angie Li NN/g Articles & Training Courses Employees as Usability-Test Participants (free article) Structuring Intranet Discovery & Design Research (free article) Ethnographic User Research (full-day/2 half-day UXC course) User Interviews (full-day/2 half-day UXC course) Usability Testing (full-day/2 half-day UXC course)

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: Service Blueprinting (full-day or half-day formats) Service Design Study Guide (free article with links to many more) Learn more about UX Master Certification Some of the (many) people and organizations Thomas mentioned: Don Norman Service Design Network Erika Hall Adam St. John Lawrence Marc Stickdorn Anthony Ulwick Bob Moesta

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: Successful Stakeholder Relationships (UX Certification course) How to Sell UX: Translating UX to Business Value (Video) How to Collaborate with Stakeholders in UX Research (Article) UX Stories Communicate Designs (Article) Making a Case for UX in 3 Steps (Video) Stakeholder Analysis for UX Projects (Article) UX Stakeholders: Study Guide Other sources Sarah mentioned: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

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: Why You Need UX Mentoring (video) ⁠The C's of Great UX Mentorship⁠ (video) Finding UX Mentors (video) UX Careers Report (free report)

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 A Theory Of Fun For Game Design (Raph Koster) A Playful Production Process Game Developer Conference Videos NN/g's Free Articles and Videos on Games & Gamification: 10 Usability Heuristics Applied to Video Games (article) Games User Research (article) Video Game Design and UX (video) Gamification in the User Experience (video) Psychology & UX Study Guide (free study guide) NN/g UX Certification Courses (full-day or half-day formats) Persuasive & Emotional Design The Human Mind and Usability

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: Kim Salazar, Senior UX Specialist at NN/g Jochem van der Veer, Co-Founder & CEO, TheyDo / TheyDo.com Related NN/g courses & reports: Customer-Journey Management (full-day / 2 half-days course) Operationalizing CX: Organizational Strategies for Delivering Superior Omnichannel Experiences (142-page report) Related NN/g articles & videos: The Practice of Customer-Journey Mangement (free article) What is Journey Management? (3 min video)

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: 1:45 - Dr. Jakob Nielsen's "origin story" 3:46 - What UX was like during the "dot-com boom" 6:30 - How the UX profession has changed since the "dot-com boom" 8:21 - Generative AI - a phase or the next chapter of UX work? 13:26 - How AI will shift the labor of UX away from pixel-pushing and toward orchestration/editorializing 16:58 - The future of UX: what keeps Dr. Jakob Nielsen inspired 19:34 - Balancing the pressure to build new features vs. fixing existing infrastructures (UX debt) 23:00 - Foundational UX ideologies: who is responsible for a good experience; matching how people actually behave 25:17 - Advice for people new to UX  27:40 - Advice for experienced UX professionals in preparing for a future with AI

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: Jakob Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics (article) The classic heuristics for effective interaction design used by many UX professionals to evaluate digital experiences. Heuristic Evaluation of User Interface (video) How to Conduct a Heuristic Evaluation (article)  How to Conduct an Expert Review (article) Other Books: Don't Make Me Think (book) - a very short and easy-to-read primer on usability and its role in creating successful products.