Unsurprisingly, there are lots of insights in this year’s report that impact professional researchers—but what about the many folks who work alongside them? With our non-researcher colleagues in mind, we thought it’d be helpful to hone in on three key findings from the 2024 survey, from the point-of-view of a non-researcher (me!).

Gaining buy-in for accessibility can be challenging due to common myths and misunderstandings. For many, accessibility remains a big mystery. Here are some practical techniques for winning stakeholder support. Part of Smart Interface Design Patterns by yours truly.

Integrating AI into banking services will obviously revolutionize the user experience in financial services, offering real-time advice and 24/7 transaction monitoring. However, this shift not only enhances user experience but also addresses critical data privacy concerns. Unlike traditional cloud-based AI, on-device AI, as introduced by Apple, processes data locally, ensuring greater security and reducing latency. For financial institutions, the adoption of on-device AI presents a promising solution to deliver secure,…

Designing a unique digital experiences presents its own set of challenges and the tools to deal with those challenges. Design thinking isn’t having just one opinion/approach, like the L-wrench you get with Ikea furniture. Just as a craftsman relies on a well-stocked toolbox to tackle any job, product and design teams need a diverse set of strategies. By having a range of techniques at their disposal, teams can adapt to the specific needs of…

In this article, are described three kinds of features in programming languages: fundamental features, deeply engrained features, and nice-to-have convenience features. Hillel’s premise was that language designers tend to focus on the first two; however, because the convenience features are relatively low-overhead, it’s easier for them to jump between projects, and they provide a quality-of-life increase.

We’re not artists, by any means. But our success as researchers hinges on the ability to apply innovative thinking to solve complex problems — often multiple times each day. Overlooking the creative aspects of our role can limit our usefulness: you don’t think to improve skills you don’t think you need.

Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a product, only to discover later that nobody wants to use it. This is a real risk when you design without user research. By prioritizing what your users truly need, you can create solutions that are not only intuitive but also drive positive business outcomes.

Design systems and UI Kit are two UX terms often used interchangeably but are slightly different from each other. According to Nielson Norman group (NN/g), a design system is a set of standards to manage design at scale by reducing redundancy while creating a shared language and visual consistency across different pages and channels. I know the grammar is big 😵‍💫 but let me break it down a little bit.

As UX professionals, we often aim to create user experiences that cater to the needs and preferences of our target audience. However, within any given audience, there is a wide range of individual differences in personality, cognition, and motivations that can impact how users interact with and respond to our products and services. By understanding the role of personality in user experience, we can gain valuable insights into how to…

These three questions will ensure that you’re not wasting your or your company’s time.