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A regular selection of the best UX posts from English-language resources. Not only fresh articles with author's comments, but also a library of useful materials! Russian materials are collected here @uxhorn Write on both channel: @lightmaker
Accessible Design vs. Inclusive Design: What’s the Difference?
The core distinction is that accessible design focuses on removing barriers for people with disabilities, often following technical standards, while inclusive design considers the full range of human diversity—including ability, language, culture, gender, and age—aiming to create experiences that are not just usable, but truly welcoming for everyone
The core of testing AI systems requires a fundamentally different methodology — moving beyond traditional usability metrics to evaluate how well the AI handles ambiguity, recovers from errors, manages user trust, and adapts to evolving contexts, while prioritizing transparency and user control throughout the interaction
The core strategy for making UX research impossible to ignore is to transform raw findings into compelling business narratives — connecting user pain points directly to revenue impact, visualizing data for emotional resonance, and embedding research voices early in strategic decisions to shift its perception from optional insight to essential evidence
The core of effective error handling in UX lies in designing patterns that not only clearly communicate what went wrong, but also empower the user to easily understand why it happened and confidently take the correct action to resolve it, thereby transforming moments of frustration into opportunities for trust-building
The core of streamlining sales workflows in furniture retail CRM lies in designing a unified interface that eliminates context-switching between order management, client communication, and inventory tracking — where automation of repetitive tasks, visual product data integration, and proactive customer insights enable sales teams to focus on personalized service rather than administrative overhead
The core challenge in scaling information architecture across languages is that direct translation often breaks usability — this case study reveals how restructuring navigation around cultural contexts and semantic relationships, rather than literal word equivalents, preserved intuitive user journeys while accommodating linguistic nuances in a global product
UX Practitioners’ Satisfaction with Pay Transparency
The core finding is that while pay transparency in UX roles is increasing, a significant gap persists between its intended benefits and the reality — it often leads to internal tension and dissatisfaction when not paired with clear frameworks for leveling, progression, and equitable compensation, highlighting that transparency without structural fairness can inadvertently erode trust and morale
The core analysis of Google's AI Overviews mode reveals a fundamental usability tension: while the feature aims to streamline information retrieval by generating direct answers, it often undermines user trust and comprehension by obscuring sources, removing context, and presenting probabilistic outputs as definitive facts, ultimately forcing users to second-guess results and perform additional work to verify accuracy
The core of common UX mistakes in the modern era revolves around prioritizing aesthetic trends over functional clarity—such as using ambiguous icons without labels, implementing custom gestures without discoverability, or sacrificing readability for minimalist layouts—which collectively create cognitive friction and undermine usability, proving that foundational principles of clarity and user-centered design remain non-negotiable
The core curse of modern AI tools is their tendency to produce homogenized, derivative outputs that stifle genuine creativity and critical thinking, as designers increasingly default to AI-generated solutions without engaging in the essential, messy process of exploration, iteration, and deep understanding of the underlying human problem
The core of the ethnographic study reveals that a university library functions not merely as a repository of books, but as a complex social ecosystem where students seek distinct "territories" for different modes of work—from collaborative zones that foster community to isolated carrels for deep focus—highlighting that the physical space must accommodate diverse, and often conflicting, needs for interaction and solitude to truly support learning
The core takeaway is that transitioning from a designer to a researcher mindset requires embracing ambiguity and methodological rigor — where the designer's instinct for solutions must yield to open-ended curiosity, systematic data collection, and humility in letting user feedback, not personal aesthetic preferences, guide product decisions
The core premise is that user perception of a product is not inherent but is actively constructed through their cumulative experiences with it—each interaction, whether a seamless flow or a frustrating bug, layers into a mental model that ultimately defines the product's value, trustworthiness, and usability in the user's mind
The essence of effective user interviews lies in creating a psychologically safe space where participants feel comfortable sharing honest feedback, which is achieved through empathetic listening, open-ended questions focused on past behaviors rather than hypotheticals, and small conversational treats that build rapport while gathering rich, actionable insights into real user needs and pain points
The core of a UXer's impact on climate change lies in leveraging their unique skills to design for sustainable behavior change—creating digital products and services that make low-carbon choices intuitive, transparent, and rewarding, while using their influence to advocate for ethical design practices that prioritize long-term planetary well-being over short-term engagement metrics
mollymalsam_28395/the-perils-of-preference-testing-4-guidelines-if-you-must-do-them-3f8b91e3f140/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">The perils of preference testing, plus 4 guidelines if you must
The core problem with preference testing is that it often measures superficial opinions rather than revealing meaningful user behavior or long-term satisfaction. Users typically choose familiar or aesthetically pleasing options without understanding the underlying usability implications. If such testing is unavoidable, it's crucial to complement it with behavioral data, ask focused questions about specific design elements rather than overall concepts, and always interpret the results within the real-use context of the product
The core of UXCON 25 was defined by five key themes: Connection, emphasizing human-centered design beyond screens; Complexity, addressing the challenge of simplifying intricate systems; Courage, advocating for ethical design and bold decisions; Craft, highlighting the importance of skill and attention to detail; and Care, focusing on inclusivity and designing for well-being. These principles collectively signal a shift in UX towards creating more meaningful, responsible, and human-centric digital experiences
Summary: User panels make research recruitment faster and more effective by giving teams easy access to engaged, relevant participants for ongoing studies and hard-to-reach audiences
The core of ethical UX research in AI centers on navigating new dilemmas around user transparency, data ownership, and algorithmic influence. Key questions the field must resolve include how to obtain genuine consent when AI systems are opaque, where to set boundaries on emotional data collection, and who is accountable when AI-guided research causes unintended harm. This new paradigm demands moving beyond traditional ethics to establish frameworks that prioritize human agency in an age of autonomous systems
The core of gamifying UX research is about strategically applying game elements—like points, challenges, and progression—to transform participation from a chore into an engaging experience. This approach boosts motivation, reduces participant fatigue, and yields richer, more authentic data by tapping into intrinsic human desires for competition and achievement. However, its success hinges on aligning the game mechanics directly with research goals to ensure the fun elements enhance, rather than distort, the data collection
The essence is that booking an appointment with a specialist doctor is far from a simple task—it’s an emotionally charged, multi-stage journey filled with anxiety, confusion, and friction at nearly every step, from symptom recognition to post-consultation follow-up. Poor UX in healthcare—like hidden fees, unclear doctor credentials, lost booking progress, or chaotic clinic check-ins—leads to high abandonment rates and unnecessary stress, while thoughtful design (transparent pricing, smart reminders, real-time wait updates, and seamless digital handoffs) can restore trust, reduce cognitive load, and make patients feel genuinely cared for
The essence is that UX research job titles—whether “Insights Director,” “Principal Researcher,” or simply “UX Researcher”—are less about the actual work and more about organizational theater, signaling authority to stakeholders or justifying budgets. Despite the grandiosity or hierarchy implied by titles, the core of the role remains unchanged: asking questions, listening deeply, translating human behavior into actionable insights, and constantly advocating for users in a world that often prefers speed over understanding
What UX Hiring Managers Want and What UX Practitioners Report Doing (2025)
The core disconnect in the UX field is that hiring managers primarily seek strategic business partners who can demonstrate impact through metrics and drive product decisions, while many practitioners focus heavily on executing research methods and creating deliverables. This gap highlights that career advancement requires shifting from being a research executor to a strategic influencer who clearly connects user insights to business outcomes like increased revenue, reduced costs, or improved customer retention
The essence of effective user interviewing lies in asking smarter questions that uncover underlying behaviors and motivations, not just surface-level opinions. This means replacing leading or closed questions with open-ended, context-focused inquiries that explore past actions and concrete experiences. Mastering this art transforms interviews from a simple Q&A into a discovery tool that reveals the user's mental models and the true reasons behind their actions
The core concept of "liquid glass" describes a future user interface that is seamlessly context-aware, morphing to fit any device, form factor, or environment while maintaining continuity of experience. This represents an evolution beyond responsive design toward truly adaptive interfaces that flow like water—invisible, flexible, and omnipresent—fundamentally blurring the lines between physical and digital interactions. The challenge for designers will shift from creating static screens to orchestrating dynamic, cross-platform experiences that prioritize user tasks over device constraints
The core of the self-checkout experience at Zara highlights a key contradiction: the technology is meant to speed up the process, but a complex and non-intuitive interface with unclear gestures and a lack of instant feedback creates a cognitive load that negates all the speed advantages. This proves that in retail UX, seamlessness and predictability are more important than technological innovation, and any implementation must be tested with real users under stressful conditions, not just in a perfect lab environment
The core of the article is that AI is not replacing qualitative UX research but is fundamentally augmenting it by automating the logistical heavy-lifting—such as transcribing interviews and synthesizing vast amounts of unstructured data—to free up researchers for high-level synthesis and strategic insight. This shift allows UX professionals to scale deep qualitative understanding, conduct continuous rather than point-in-time research, and uncover latent human needs and behavioral patterns that were previously too time-consuming to detect, thereby elevating their role from facilitators to strategic partners
Research as a Product — Building Sustainable, Relationship-Driven Research Programs
The essence is that treating research not as a series of isolated projects but as a product in itself —with ongoing relationships, user-centric design, and continuous engagement—transforms how insights are gathered, especially in complex B2B contexts. By building a “research operating system” with rolling panels, flexible participation, and integration into real business rhythms, researchers shift from transactional interviews to trusted partnerships, where participants proactively share feedback and insights become deeper, more sustainable, and truly actionable
The essence is that new users often abandon SaaS products like Buffer not because of poor UI, but due to invisible psychological barriers—such as unclear value, perceived setup effort, fear of social judgment, or too many starting options—that prevent them from experiencing the product’s core benefit. By applying a behavioral audit framework, teams can systematically uncover these hidden frictions and turn them into testable hypotheses, using principles like loss aversion, the paradox of choice, or immediate gratification to design interventions that boost activation, retention, and long-term growth
The essence is that personas are not just fictional profiles—they are research-based, realistic archetypes designed to humanize user needs and keep design teams focused on real people, not abstract “users.” By distilling complex behavioral data into memorable, specific characters, personas foster empathy, align cross-functional teams around shared goals, and prevent the trap of designing for everyone (and ultimately no one). Crucially, effective personas must be grounded in actual user research—not invented—and include only details that directly inform design decisions
The essence is that building a successful low-code product isn’t just about abstract visual builders or drag-and-drop interfaces—it’s about deeply understanding the real workflows, constraints, and pain points of the target users, often developers or domain experts. The team at LSports discovered that “low-code” only adds value when it eliminates repetitive, boilerplate tasks while preserving flexibility and control, not when it tries to replace coding entirely. Their journey highlights that the best low-code tools are those co-designed with users, grounded in actual use cases, and focused on accelerating outcomes—not just reducing lines of code
The essence is that Splitwise’s original “Settle Up” flow created unnecessary friction by forcing users to leave the app, pay externally, and manually confirm the transaction—leading to forgotten payments and frustration. By redesigning the payment journey into a seamless, in-app three-step process (Settle → Pay → Confirm), the team reduced payment completion time by 60%, increased same-day settlements by 40%, and gave users a stronger sense of closure—all by removing steps, not adding features
The essence is that the traditional graphical user interface (UI) may soon give way to AI-driven “agentic experiences,” where users delegate tasks to intelligent agents instead of clicking buttons or navigating menus. Rather than disappearing entirely, the UI is evolving into something more conversational, contextual, and invisible—shaped by dialogue, trust, and real-time personalization. For designers, this means shifting from crafting screens to architecting intelligent interactions, where the focus is no longer on visual layout but on intent, behavior, and ethical systems
ashlee.edwards/coaching-ux-researchers-on-rigor-88eedd5b2355/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">Coaching UX Researchers on Rigor
Rigor in UX research isn’t about rigid methods—it’s about intentional choices, clear reasoning, and transparency in how insights are gathered and interpreted. Strong researchers don’t just follow templates; they align methods to business questions, document assumptions, and openly share limitations. Coaching teams on rigor means shifting focus from “doing research” to “doing trustworthy, actionable research”—where quality beats speed, and honesty builds credibility
AI tools turn static designs into working prototypes fast, but speed can mask flaws. Use them to explore, not as a final product
AI evals shouldn’t rely on automated scores alone — human perception defines real quality. UX research identifies what users truly value (e.g., tone, personalization, clarity) and turns those insights into measurable evaluation criteria for LLM judges. By aligning AI outputs with human judgment, research closes the gap between technical performance and actual user trust, impact, and usefulness
Real-world constraints force tough trade-offs between user needs and business realities. The Shimoda workshop shattered the author’s romantic view of UX, revealing that accessibility is often deprioritized due to budgets and timelines. But true UXers don’t abandon users — they become strategic advocates, proving that user-centered design drives business value even within capitalist systems
From desktop icons to corporate rebrands like Meta. They’re not just decoration; they frame our mental models and limit or expand what we imagine is possible. Design often inherits outdated metaphors (folders, pages) but can also invent new ones that reflect complex human realities instead of oversimplifying them with fear or nudges. True design responsibility means understanding users’ lived experiences, questioning who controls dominant metaphors, and creating interventions that respect complexity—not manipulate it
Users say “no” to permissions not out of spite, but because they don’t see clear personal benefit — and designers often explain _what_ the app needs, not _what the user gains_. Timing matters: ask only at the moment of use, with contextual pre-prompts that boost acceptance from 12% to 70%. Effective microcopy follows one rule: “We need [X] so you can [do Y].” Add smart recovery flows, platform-specific UX, and accessibility — and turn denials into trust
UX Professionals’ Job Satisfaction (2024–2025)
Average score fell to 70/100 from 74 in 2022 — driven by layoffs, AI anxiety, and team cuts (35% reported staff reductions vs. 17% in 2022). Despite the drop, UX remains on par with tech peers: designers and researchers report 70–76% satisfaction, comparable to data analysts, PMs, and engineers. Key drivers: income (>$100K = higher satisfaction), country (Canada 80, UK 59), and hours (40–49 hrs = peak balance); but salary alone explains only 8% of satisfaction variance — stability and purpose matter more
Meta’s new smart glasses aren’t just hardware—they’re a strategic move toward ambient, always-on computing. The real innovation isn’t in the display or camera, but in context-aware AI that anticipates needs without constant input. Future wearables will fade into the background, acting as silent assistants—making interfaces invisible, not flashy
UX research in 2025 thrives despite AI hype and layoffs — but influence now hinges on trust, not just methods. Top researchers act as strategic advisors: they align user insights with engineering realities, business goals, and product constraints. Impact comes from emotional credibility, honest uncertainty, and connecting stakeholders — not perfect sample sizes or polished reports
AI tempts UX pros with 7 deadly sins: outsourcing thinking, wasting time, losing nuance, ideating alone, trusting blindly, creating bland outputs, and resisting change. The antidote? 7 virtues: ownership, automation of repeat tasks, selectivity with details, inclusive collaboration, healthy skepticism, originality, and active experimentation. Use AI as a thinking partner—not a crutch—to stay sharp, relevant, and human-centered
AI-powered tools dominate UX research in 2025 — from automated interview analysis to real-time insight bots in Slack. Platforms like Dovetail, Marvin, and custom GPTs turn raw data into searchable, actionable knowledge, not just reports. The shift isn’t about fancier tech — it’s about making research continuously accessible, embedded in workflows, and trusted by teams
Not by replacing researchers, but by making insights instantly findable and actionable. Slack bots, custom copilots and smart repositories turn static reports into living knowledge, surfacing evidence exactly when teams need it. The future isn’t chatbots — it’s purpose-built tools that embed research directly into product decisions, scaling impact without sacrificing rigor
Immigrant job seekers struggle with language barriers, complex applications, and lack of feedback — leading to low confidence and stalled careers. The team designed a mentorship app connecting newcomers with volunteers for 1:1 support, interview prep, and personalized job guidance. Built through user interviews and rapid prototyping, the solution focuses on clarity, emotional support, and actionable steps — not just translation
Interfaces are fading — not disappearing, but dissolving into context. AI, voice, sensors, and ambient computing shift interaction from screens to intent, making UI invisible yet more powerful. The future isn’t “no interface,” but **anticipatory design**: systems that act before you ask, guided by behavior, not buttons
From extra to essential: Rethinking Accessibility in design and research
This article argues for shifting accessibility from an afterthought to a core design principle. It provides actionable strategies for integrating inclusive practices into every stage of the design and research process, ensuring products work for everyone. A vital read for building truly user-centric products
This article introduces a practical 5-day UX research sprint framework designed for fast, actionable outcomes. It breaks down each day with clear goals—from planning and recruitment to testing and synthesis—ensuring teams get rapid insights without sacrificing rigor. Perfect for agile environments needing quick, validated results
NN/g's article reveals that perceived competence and emotional tone are key to building user trust in AI. Users favor AI that feels smart but also warm and respectful, not just coldly efficient. The research provides guidelines for designing AI interactions that balance intelligence with empathy. Essential reading for ethical and effective AI UX
This powerful article draws parallels between working in prisons and conducting user research, highlighting profound lessons in ethical listening, genuine consent, and building trust in constrained environments. It challenges conventional research practices by emphasizing humility, context, and human dignity. A unique perspective on the core values of UX research
This article clarifies the critical UI distinction between buttons and links: buttons trigger actions (e.g., "Submit"), while links navigate to new locations (e.g., "Learn more"). Misusing them confuses users and harms experience. The piece offers clear guidelines for consistent, intuitive design. A fundamental read for all designers
This Smashing Magazine article explores the psychology of trust in AI, detailing how to measure and design for user confidence. It emphasizes transparency, control, and reliability as key factors that make AI systems feel trustworthy. Essential insights for creating AI interfaces users actually believe in and use
This article argues that the traditional Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach often falls short by prioritizing speed over real user value. It advocates for a shift towards Minimum Lovable Products (MLP) that focus on delivering meaningful, emotionally resonant experiences from the start. A thought-provoking read for product teams aiming to build lasting engagement
This article provides a clear, step-by-step guide to practical UX testing, from planning and recruiting to conducting sessions and analyzing results. It emphasizes actionable methods to gather user feedback efficiently, even with limited resources. Perfect for teams looking to validate designs quickly and iteratively. A hands-on resource for embedding testing into any workflow
Everyone wants a faster horse. We aim to please
The architecture of human error
Why your users are struggling — and how heuristic evaluation can fix it
💰 You might be a victim of corrupt personalization
nng: Template trap
prototyping: Does making users physically feel errors in mobile apps improve the experience? — A micro-level haptic feedback test
ai: Interviewing candidates with AI
opinion: Why are edtech tools typically designed for adults?
basic: User research for startups — Essential methods to start with
interesting: Theory as design material — How design researchers use design skills to explore the malleability of theory. Abstract here, pdf here
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Taming complex systems: bhoomika_63958/taming-complex-systems-how-i-applied-moca-to-ethnographic-data-in-internal-tools-ux-research-a931bd0ed7c1/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">How I applied MoCA to ethnographic data in Internal tools UX research
Measuring success in enterprise UX beyond conventional metrics: What really matters in B2B software
Blame the brain: Why more options make users less happy
nng: Onboarding and connecting smart devices — 5 guidelines for user-friendly smart-device apps
prototyping: UXwithKaranSingh/designing-gratitude-the-ux-of-tipping-9fc7d173f58a/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">Designing gratitude — The UX of tipping
📰 digest: AI-Assisted user research — A practical framework
ai: Human + machine — responsible AI workflows for UX research
opinion: Musings about a.rheannon.s/musings-about-ux-its-history-and-where-it-might-go-0f01e8861745/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">UX, its history, and where it might go
basic: Mastering the user interview process — dishant.salunke9/mastering-the-user-interview-process-a-product-managers-guide-to-insight-driven-decisions-29a521a9b3e1/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">A product manager’s guide to insight-driven decisions
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the importance of steffie.jean/the-importance-of-critical-thinking-in-user-research-05592ad9bc26/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">critical thinking in user research
segmenting users by defining LanaHung/segmenting-users-by-defining-user-properties-from-behavior-data-526a9dd102d6/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">user properties from behavior data
theory as design material: how design researchers use design skills to explore the malleability of theory (pdf)
nng: smart-device apps — 7 best practices to make devices truly smart
prototyping: designing for tv — principles, patterns and practical guidance and part 2
opinion: in defence of enshittification
experience: curiosity didn’t kill the cat — it made me a better researcher
interesting: 3 things a school bike bus taught me about design
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jemmafrost/ux-research-is-still-a-creative-process-de8f9ccf2554/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">ux research is still a creative process
what if your health had a credit score?
the user experience of ai-based chat software (2025)
ux and nps benchmarks of pet websites (2025)
💵 llms in scientific research: the error(s) of their ways
ai: how ai succeeds (and fails) to help people find information
opinion: how to introduce ux research into a new space — shelley.khan/how-to-introduce-ux-research-into-a-new-space-a-user-researchers-take-on-discovery-in-advertising-7ef3a184f89a/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">a user researcher’s perspective on discovery in advertising
basics: 5 types of usability testing every founder should know in 2025
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sorry, guys, a lot of materials have been collected in 3 weeks, i will try to release them in the near future, and at the same time we will go to the standard schedule
Читать полностью…
the afterlife of ux research: how to ensure insights lead to action
nng: the 3 i’s of microcopy - inform, influence, and interact
ai: mitigating the risks of using genai in ux design and user research
experience: reachpragyagupta/from-journalism-to-ux-a-skill-i-never-thought-id-use-again-f78dfbd9f45e/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">from journalism to ux - a skill i never thought i’d use again
basic: co-design diaries - faiza.peeran/co-design-diaries-whats-in-a-name-a44a42f2c8b4/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">what’s in a name?
interesting: building with users in mind - charisol’s research approach
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when swiping supplants scissors: the hidden cost of touchscreens — and how designers can help
are you still ignoring accessibility? you could soon face fines and lawsuits
ai: should ux designers trust ai with user behaviour analysis?
opinion: nikitasaner.work/why-wellness-apps-are-failing-real-people-77a7e242f232/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">why wellness apps are failing real people?
ui: crafting better ui with intent - sanskardrolia/crafting-better-ui-with-intent-my-design-system-for-web-interfaces-2bf89744428d/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">my design system for web interfaces
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UX Research: mydearlibby_78220/regression-analysis-and-toddler-logic-911d39fdbb1a/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">When Your Data Is Having a Tantrum
The core insight is that regression analysis in UX mirrors toddler logic — both seek patterns and causality in observed behaviors, but where toddlers rely on intuitive leaps ("I cried, so food appeared"), data-driven professionals must isolate variables and control for bias to distinguish real user pain points from statistical noise, ensuring design decisions address actual causes rather than coincidences
The core concept of "Managed UX" describes a strategic shift where user experience is treated not as a discrete project phase but as a continuous, organization-wide function—requiring dedicated governance, cross-functional collaboration, and systematic processes to ensure consistent quality and alignment with business goals across all digital touchpoints over time
The core of AI's revolution in user testing for 2025 is its ability to automate the labor-intensive aspects—like recruiting, transcribing, and initial analysis—while simulating diverse user behaviors at scale, which shifts the researcher's role from logistical manager to strategic interpreter of nuanced, data-rich insights, dramatically increasing both the speed and depth of usability validation
The core of solving the "too few researchers, too many questions" dilemma was a strategic upskilling program that embedded foundational research competencies—like crafting testable hypotheses and conducting rapid usability tests—directly within design teams, transforming designers into empowered, research-literate practitioners capable of making informed, user-centered decisions without creating bottleneck dependencies
The core of emotional accessibility is the recognition that true inclusivity in the workplace must extend beyond physical and digital accommodations to address psychological safety and neurodiversity, creating environments where expressing a full range of emotions is accepted and supported, ultimately fostering well-being, trust, and authentic participation for all
The core insight is that UX writing transcends mere words on a screen — it's an interface in itself, where clarity, consistency, and empathy in language directly shape user understanding, build trust, and guide action, making thoughtful communication not a decorative layer but a foundational component of usable and inclusive design
The core of the article posits that deep, uninterrupted reading has become a "lost art" due to digital fragmentation, and reclaiming it requires intentional design—both of technology that minimizes distractions and of personal habits that cultivate sustained attention—as this focused engagement remains essential for complex thought, empathy, and meaningful learning
How To Make Your UX Research Hard To Ignore
The core strategy for making UX research impossible to ignore is to transform findings into compelling, actionable narratives that directly address stakeholder priorities—connecting user insights to business metrics, visualizing data for immediate impact, and embedding research voices early in decision-making processes to shift perception from "interesting anecdotes" to "essential evidence"
The core insight is that input fields and their validations are critical friction points that teach us a fundamental usability principle: clarity and empathy in the moment of error matter more than aesthetic perfection. When validation is immediate, specific, and helpful, it transforms user frustration into trust; when it's delayed, vague, or punitive, it exposes a system's lack of respect for the user's time and effort
The core insight is inattentional blindness is a phenomenon where we miss something that’s in plain sight because our attention is focused elsewhere
The core of accelerating 0→1 research with AI lies in using generative tools to rapidly synthesize fragmented data—from market trends to user interviews—into coherent opportunity spaces, while computational methods like clustering uncover hidden user segments, allowing researchers to focus on strategic insight rather than manual data processing and build foundational understanding at unprecedented speed
The core of the Monefy redesign case study centered on transforming a functional but complex expense-tracking tool into an intuitive financial companion by simplifying navigation through a bottom-bar menu, introducing visual spending categories with distinctive icons, and adding proactive budgeting alerts, which collectively shifted the user experience from tedious data entry to effortless financial awareness
The core reason 70% of founders can't get honest feedback is the inherent power dynamic that positions them as "solution-givers" rather than "problem-explorers," causing teams and users to default to politeness and social desirability bias, effectively masking critical flaws until they manifest as product failures or poor retention
The core power of usability testing lies in its ability to bypass subjective opinions and reveal objective, often unexpected, user behavior—providing unbiased evidence that exposes real pain points, validates design assumptions, and grounds team decisions in observable reality rather than internal biases or hypothetical scenarios
The core of moving from user research to building lies in translating raw observations into structured "early reflections" — concise, actionable insights that bridge data and design decisions by focusing on underlying user needs and behaviors rather than surface-level requests, enabling teams to align on problem definitions before sprinting toward solutions
The 12 emotional journeys of color psychology
The essence of the article is that color in UX design is not merely decorative but a powerful tool for guiding users through 12 distinct emotional journeys—from building trust with blue to creating urgency with red. Each color triggers specific subconscious reactions, and their strategic combination shapes the entire user experience, influencing perception, decision-making, and emotional engagement with the product
The core issue with screening questionnaires is that overly specific or predictable questions allow unqualified participants to easily guess the desired answers and bypass screening, contaminating research data. Effective screeners should use indirect, open-ended questions that assess real experiences and behaviors rather than yes/no knowledge checks, while strategically embedding subtle "foil" questions to identify and filter out dishonest respondents who are merely trying to qualify
The core of effective user research lies in shifting from a project-based model to a culture of continuous discovery, where product teams maintain ongoing, direct contact with users through lightweight methods like weekly interviews and prototype testing. This approach, exemplified by real cases, uncovers not just explicit needs but the underlying user behaviors and mental models, ensuring that product decisions are grounded in actual context rather than assumptions and that value is delivered incrementally and validated constantly
At its core, developing an AI-first mindset is a continuous cultural shift, not a one-time technical upgrade. It requires teams to fundamentally reimagine problems and solutions through the lens of what machines do best—processing data, recognizing patterns, and automating decisions—while strategically leveraging human strengths in empathy, ethics, and creative oversight. This journey prioritizes experimentation and learning over perfect outcomes, focusing on building adaptable systems that evolve with use rather than creating rigid, finished products
The essence is that a seemingly minor friction in a delivery app—like an extra confirmation step before opening a parcel locker—can create significant user frustration when experienced in real-world contexts (rain, urgency, holding packages). By observing actual behavior and even drawing insight from a personal moment of struggle, the team simplified the flow to a single tap, aligning the interface with the user’s immediate goal: get the parcel, fast. This empathetic, context-aware redesign led to a 20% increase in feature adoption, proving that great UX often lies not in adding features, but in removing unnecessary steps
The core of predictive user research is a shift from understanding current user behavior to forecasting future needs and potential problems before they arise. This is achieved by analyzing patterns in existing data, emerging technologies, and socio-cultural trends to model how user expectations and behaviors might evolve. It transforms the UX role from reactive problem-solving to proactive strategy, allowing teams to design solutions for tomorrow's user, not just today's
When your stakeholders think fewer clicks = better UX
The essence is that fewer clicks don’t automatically mean better UX —what users truly care about is clarity, confidence, and progress, not the raw number of interactions. Well-structured, intentional “good clicks” (like step-by-step wizards or categorized navigation) reduce cognitive load and build trust, while “bad clicks” (dead ends, confusion, repetition) create frustration regardless of count. Instead of obsessing over click reduction, teams should focus on organizing information logically—like a well-arranged wardrobe—and designing flows that make each step feel purposeful and safe
The essence is that the SUPR-Qm V2 is a streamlined, five-item questionnaire designed to quickly and reliably measure the overall user experience of mobile apps—not to diagnose specific issues, but to provide a clear, comparable score on a 0–100 scale. Based on Rasch modeling and validated across thousands of responses, it balances brevity with statistical rigor, correlates with established metrics like the SUS, and even includes a curved grading system (A+ to F) to make results intuitive for stakeholders. While it won’t tell you _what_ to fix, it efficiently answers _how good_ the experience feels to users—making it ideal for benchmarking, tracking changes over time, or comparing app versions (e.g., free vs. paid)
The essence is that Generative UI (GenUI) leverages real-time AI to dynamically create personalized interfaces tailored to individual users’ context, preferences, and behavior—moving beyond static, one-size-fits-all designs. Rather than designers pre-building every screen, AI assembles layouts, content, and interactions on the fly, turning UX into a fluid, adaptive experience. While promising greater relevance and efficiency, this shift also demands new design principles focused on intent, constraints, and ethical guardrails—because when interfaces are generated, not designed, the designer’s role evolves from crafting pixels to defining the rules that shape them
The essence is that great UX in a food delivery app starts not with business metrics, but with deep empathy for the user’s real concerns—like food freshness, trust, and personal taste. By prioritizing clarity (e.g., showing when food was prepared), using appetite-stimulating colors, offering subtle—not pushy—deals, and enabling meaningful customization, the app becomes not just functional, but emotionally resonant. Ultimately, when user needs come first, loyalty and conversions follow naturally
The essence is that several once-essential UX skills—like manual wireframing, isolated usability testing, and rigid adherence to the Double Diamond—are becoming obsolete as AI, automation, and integrated product practices reshape the field. Tomorrow’s UX professionals won’t be valued for how well they draw screens, but for their ability to frame ambiguous problems, collaborate across disciplines, interpret behavioral data, and ethically guide AI-driven experiences. The shift isn’t about losing design craft—it’s about evolving from interface makers to strategic sense-makers who prioritize outcomes over artifacts
The Emotional Side of UX Research: boris.yuzefpolsky/the-emotional-side-of-ux-research-staying-grounded-through-user-interviews-8917be379ac1/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">Staying Grounded Through User Interviews
The essence is that UX research isn’t just about collecting data—it’s an emotionally intense practice where researchers absorb users’ frustrations, anxieties, and hopes, often without realizing the psychological toll. To stay grounded and avoid burnout, it’s crucial to develop rituals for emotional processing, set clear boundaries, and remember that empathy doesn’t mean carrying others’ pain; it means listening with care while protecting your own well-being
The essence is that product evolution shouldn’t be driven by assumptions or internal opinions, but by continuous, embedded user research that informs every stage—from initial discovery to post-launch iteration. Rather than treating research as a one-off validation step, teams should integrate it into their rhythm, using lightweight, frequent touchpoints to uncover real user behaviors, test hypotheses early, and avoid building features nobody needs. Ultimately, research isn’t a phase—it’s the compass that keeps product development aligned with human needs
The essence is that Anthropic’s “long conversation reminder” in Claude is a profound UX failure because it makes AI safety mechanisms visible and intrusive, forcing users to watch in real time as their AI assistant is reprogrammed to treat them with suspicion, strip away empathy, and scan for mental health red flags. Instead of operating quietly in the backend, this surveillance is exposed in the thinking logs, shattering trust, inducing anxiety, and turning collaborative dialogue into a dehumanizing, adversarial experience. The core lesson: alignment and safety systems must protect users without making them feel watched, judged, or pathologized —psychological safety is as critical as technical safety in human-AI interaction
The essence is that UX metrics only matter when they’re directly tied to organizational goals—otherwise, they become vanity numbers, siloed reports, or unused noise. A collaborative workshop approach helps cross-functional teams align on what truly reflects UX’s impact (e.g., reduced support costs, higher task success), prioritize a few actionable metrics over dozens of irrelevant ones, and embed those metrics into real decision-making processes. Ultimately, measuring UX isn’t about collecting data—it’s about proving and improving how design contributes to business outcomes
The essence is that Strava succeeds not just as a fitness tracker, but as a social platform that turns individual workouts into shared, meaningful experiences through features like kudos, segments, and leaderboards. By blending precise GPS data with community-driven motivation, it creates emotional engagement that keeps users coming back—proving that in fitness, recognition and connection are just as powerful as metrics
The essence is that users don’t crave novelty for its own sake—they crave clarity, predictability, and ease. True design excellence lies not in reinventing familiar patterns but in leveraging them to reduce cognitive load and build trust. Innovation should happen behind the scenes to solve real problems, not on the surface as visual flair that confuses more than it delights. When interfaces feel “boring” because they’re instantly understandable, that’s not a failure—it’s a sign of empathetic, user-centered design done right
nng: From Confrontation to Collaboration — The Developer-Designer Relationship
Designers and developers often clash due to past trauma, power struggles, immature team dynamics, and late involvement in each other’s workflows. The fix? Shift from “my design vs. your code” to co-ownership of the product outcome — shared goals, mutual trust, and early collaboration. Key tactics: build 1:1 relationships, listen to understand (not to win), simplify jargon, acknowledge invisible work, and treat feedback as shared problem-solving — not personal criticism
Airbnb removed its “Unique Stays” categories, making it harder for users to discover inspiring accommodations like treehouses or castles without knowing a destination first. The proposed solution reintroduces a streamlined “Unique Stays” section—grouped into four intuitive themes (Nature, Design, Luxury, Whimsical)—accessible both from the home screen and within location-based search results. This design boosts discovery, supports emotional booking decisions, and aligns with Airbnb’s business goals by linking unique stays to Experiences and premium upsells—without cluttering the core UI
Not by replacing humans, but by amplifying creativity with data-driven precision.
It enables hyper-personalization, accelerates research and prototyping, and automates routine tasks like microcopy or layout generation. Most importantly, AI boosts accessibility and inclusivity — making great experiences available to everyone, everywhere
Case studies aren’t just portfolios — they’re the product itself. Hiring managers don’t care about polished mockups; they want to see **how you think**, frame problems, and navigate ambiguity. A great case study tells a clear story: context, constraints, decisions, trade-offs, and impact — not just “before/after” aesthetics
Excessive translucency, low contrast, and motion blur strain eyes and reduce readability.
The aesthetic prioritizes visual flair over accessibility, making core interactions harder for users with vision impairments or in bright environments. Beauty shouldn’t compromise function: when style overrides clarity, even the most polished interface becomes a beautiful mistake
System fonts like Arial or Times New Roman are relics of early web survival — not intentional design choices. They lack brand voice, emotional tone, and modern typographic nuance, making interfaces feel generic and unstyled. In 2025, custom fonts are lightweight, expressive, and essential: typography is your product’s voice — don’t let the OS speak for you
It replaces assumptions with real evidence from interviews, surveys, observation, usability tests and card sorting. Top companies like Netflix and Apple use these methods to uncover behavior patterns, refine interfaces and boost engagement. Without research, every design decision is just a guess — with it, products solve real problems, not imagined ones
Turning a recruitment headache marineb6651/turning-a-recruitment-headache-into-a-thriving-ux-research-community-c40ca0446324/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">into a thriving UX Research community
This case study reveals how a company solved its recruitment challenges by building a thriving UX research community. Instead of one-off testers, they engaged a dedicated pool of users for ongoing feedback. The approach streamlined recruitment and enriched data quality. A great read for teams struggling with participant sourcing
This article shares practical tips to accelerate usability studies without sacrificing quality. Key strategies include using a research repository, templating tasks, and parallelizing analysis. The goal is to get faster, actionable insights and keep pace with agile development. Essential reading for UX researchers in fast-moving teams
NN/g's video defines Experience Design (XD) as the holistic practice of shaping the user's entire journey with a company. It goes beyond UI to encompass all touchpoints, both digital and physical. The key is ensuring every interaction is seamless, consistent, and meaningful. A crucial watch for understanding modern design philosophy
This article exposes a new deceptive pattern in Japan: "linguistic dead ends." These are intentionally confusing or misleading UI copy that traps users, often in subscription flows. The piece analyzes how they work and their ethical implications, urging designers to prioritize clarity over trickery. A critical read for ethical UX
The article explains the shift from User Experience Research (UXR) to Integrated Experience Research (IXR). This new term reflects the need for research to be deeply embedded across all product teams, not just a separate function. It emphasizes holistic, continuous insights for better decision-making. A thought-provoking read on the evolution of research roles
This article distills key lessons from Steve Portigal's classic "Interviewing Users." It covers essential techniques for effective user interviews, like building rapport, asking open-ended questions, and active listening. The goal is to uncover deep insights, not just validate assumptions. A concise primer for anyone looking to improve their research skills
This UX case study explores designing for diversity by including underrepresented user voices. It details the process of inclusive research, uncovering unique needs, and implementing accessible solutions. The key takeaway is that diverse participation leads to more innovative and equitable products. A vital read for inclusive design practices
This article explores how principles from film editing can combat "attention tyranny" in UX design. It argues that by strategically guiding user focus—like a director controls a viewer's gaze—designers can create more intuitive and less overwhelming experiences. A must-read for innovative approaches to user attention
This article outlines key strategies to foster a user-centric product culture. It emphasizes embedding user research early, sharing insights across teams, and prioritizing user needs in roadmaps. The goal is to align business objectives with real user problems for better product outcomes. Essential reading for PMs and leaders
How unmoderated testing steffie.jean/how-unmoderated-testing-could-be-harming-your-designs-e4208fb55b4c/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">could be harming your designs
Unmoderated testing can harm your designs by lacking context, leading to misleading data. Without a moderator, you miss crucial "why" behind user actions, potentially validating flawed designs. This article explains its risks and when to use moderated sessions for deeper, accurate insights. A must-read for UX researchers
MeasuringU's 2025 International Banking Benchmark reveals key UX trends, scoring top banks on usability and satisfaction. The study highlights a growing gap between leaders and laggards, with mobile features and security being major differentiators. Essential data for fintechs and banks aiming to improve digital customer experience
NN/g's article identifies warning signs of UX maturity regression, such as cutting research budgets, deprioritizing user feedback, and reverting to opinion-based design. It stresses that sustaining a user-centric culture requires continuous commitment, even under business pressures. A crucial read for teams protecting hard-won UX gains
This article outlines core tenets for effective real-world AI design, like transparency and user control, while exposing common traps such as over-reliance on automation and opaque decision-making. It balances practical guidance with ethical considerations for building trustworthy, user-centered AI products. A must-read for designers tackling AI complexity
This article explores how voice and immersive interfaces (like AR/VR) are shaping the future of UX. It offers strategic advice for preparing products now, focusing on natural interaction patterns, contextual awareness, and multimodal design. A forward-looking guide for staying ahead in the next era of user experience
This article breaks down the essentials of effective iconography in UI design, emphasizing clarity, consistency, and cultural relevance. It covers best practices for choosing and designing icons that enhance usability rather than confuse users. A practical guide for designers aiming to create intuitive and accessible interfaces
This article clarifies the purpose and structure of questionnaires as a research tool, distinguishing them from surveys. It covers best practices for writing effective questions, avoiding bias, and ensuring reliable data collection. A foundational read for anyone using questionnaires in UX research or product validation
How to score and interpret the five-item SUPR-Qm v2
From data to decisions: UX strategies for real-time dashboards
Beyond research: beth_lingard/beyond-research-practicing-product-leadership-as-a-ux-researcher-9da193809d90/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">Practicing product leadership as a UX Researcher
nng: A millennial’s DVD collection — I’m returning to physical discs
ai: Redefining research — my adventure with Perplexity AI
experience: When simple tasks became frustrating in Miro — shagun.bhandari2003/when-simple-tasks-became-frustrating-in-miro-a-usability-test-9de90cc74e2f/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">A usability test
case study: Reducing POD errors & providing on time balance payment to our fleet operators
opinion: User research is worse than a coin flip — hrwd/user-research-is-worse-than-a-coin-flip-heres-what-actually-works-6b8decb0c38f/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">here’s what actually works
interesting: What digital UX can learn from the physical media revival
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personalized vr meditation experience for mental well-being: ishikasoni50/personalized-vr-meditation-experience-for-mental-well-being-a-mini-qualitative-ux-research-study-4b4f1e8972b4/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">a mini qualitative ux research study
first-impression testing. the 5-second test & how to optimize it
nng: the vr hype cycle — lessons for the age of ai
ai: lakshmipriyavr13/research-stories-4-using-ai-tools-for-improved-efficiency-research-delivery-97b8c2ee05c8/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">research stories — using ai tools for improved efficiency & research delivery
experience: transforming financial data experience — mafruh-faruqi/transforming-financial-data-experience-our-scholarfield-ux-optimization-case-study-723d45997926/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">our scholarfield ux optimization case study
ui: 20 footer design myths you’re still believing (and how to fix them)
basics: why struggling customers don’t see your help — and what ux research can do to fix it
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ux research and the future
ux research isn’t intersectional. leenahaque1/ux-research-isnt-intersectional-it-barely-sees-ethnicity-at-all-dfd0ef278b32/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">it barely sees ethnicity at all
bridging the gap between ux research and design
🗞 digest: ai-assisted user research — a practical framework
ai: the user experience of ai-based chat software (2025)
tool: sravito review 2025 — what i look for in a research repository as a uxr expert
experience: how user yunjungji/how-user-interview-skills-changed-my-life-a8fe9527ef28/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">interview skills changed my life
opinion: billiemae.kennedy/designing-for-people-whove-been-let-down-before-9c768b94be54/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">designing for people who’ve been let down before
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how to do affinity mapping that doesn’t suck
turning existing insights into future impact
the methods ux professionals use (2024)
how to define success criteria for ux research
verifying the stability of the five-item supr-qm v2
nng: how to use nngroup’s ux-maturity model without a formal assessment
ai: evaluating ai-simulated behavior — insights from three studies on digital twins and synthetic users
case study: common sensexcllntt/common-sense-guide-to-user-research-1fc0ca92840b/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest"> guide to user research
opinion: challenges in rethinking user interface design for age of ai
basics: circular ux — designing for repair and reuse
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you can only improve what you’re measuring
nng: mixed-methods research - combining qualitative and quantitative data
ai: how i use generative ai for research in 2025
case study: trackmate - anjaligautm998/trackmate-connecting-music-creators-through-social-collaboration-bc78ecf7d655/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">connecting music creators through social collaboration
opinion: christian.hartvig/how-user-research-slowly-sucked-the-soul-out-of-design-2189bcf9087e/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">how user research slowly sucked the soul out of design
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is it ok to edit the wording of standardized ux questions?
12 heuristics for content design
🗞 digest: where do ux researchers go from here?
nng: digital twins - simulating humans with generative ai
ai: should ux designers trust ai with user behaviour analysis?
opinion: what does marathon training and user centred design have in common?
basic: ankursinghs/ux-research-is-just-the-start-making-it-matter-is-the-job-416cfc3118ff/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">ux research is just the start. making it matter is the job
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streamlining the supr-qm from 16 to 5 Items
the afterlife of ux research: how to ensure insights lead to action
nng: ux strategies for complex-application design
ai: ux trends 2025 - amulyaranjan69/ux-trends-2025-how-ai-is-reshaping-digital-experiences-8d8168d535e8/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">how ai is reshaping digital experiences
opinion: christian.hartvig/how-user-research-slowly-sucked-the-soul-out-of-design-2189bcf9087e/?utm_source=tlgrm_uxdigest">how user research slowly sucked the soul out of design
interesting: invisible ux friction - a substack mobile quirk that tripped me up
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