Lauren Heerlein

With enough #compute, one could imagine a cloud-hosted UX research platforms like @UserTesting building specialized analytical models. But it's likely out of reach for most small UX research teams, and certainly for any #independent UXResearcher. https://lttr.ai/AR3uS #UXResearch #UXDesign #uxresearch #HundredThousandPounds #UXR #Freelance #LargeLanguageModel

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When brainstorming design solutions, how you frame the problem influences the breadth of your solutions. Want to release your team from micro thinking? Need inspiration to think about how to deliver desired user outcomes?   Try using a technique called “Abstract Laddering.”    Ready to delve deeper?    Read our full article, “A Rational Guide to Brainstorming”: https://lnkd.in/gC4Ax8zd   –  Delve is a product innovation firm that helps companies bring bold ideas to market through human-centered expertise—strategy, design, engineering.    Learn more about product design and development services at Delve: https://lnkd.in/g7-jrXeU   #productdesign #productdevelopment #brainstorming

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Here's a great short read on some emerging science around intuitive thinking, a key for practitioners of #creativestrategy and #designthinking: https://lnkd.in/gWDjmf6M

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Intuitive individuals possess unique advantages that significantly enhance their effectiveness in creative and marketing roles. This includes enhanced problem-solving skills, superior pattern recognition, increased creativity and innovation, improved emotional intelligence, greater strategic vision, and enhanced adaptability. A study by the Psychological Science journal found that individuals who rely on their intuition can make decisions up to 10 times faster than those who rely solely on analytical processes. Harvard Business Review found that intuitive individuals can process and synthesize information 60% faster on average. Forbes found that 80% of high-level executives believe intuition is essential to business strategy.

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In the realm of design and innovation, understanding user needs and behaviors is paramount. Over the years, specialized firms have emerged to assist businesses in this pursuit. Two prominent types are User Experience (UX) research firms and Human Experience (HX) firms. While they may sound similar, they serve distinct purposes and offer unique value propositions. More on Lextant's value proposition in the linked article. #lextant #humanexperience #userexperience #innovation #consulting #strategy #research #design #ux #cx #hx #designthinking

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Join me on the latest episode of the #ProductBuildersPodcast featuring James Smet! Hear firsthand from a design system expert and learn how to tackle common hurdles in design system implementation. Whether you're an experienced pro or new to the field, you'll get valuable insights and actionable advice. 💪 Follow the link in the comments to listen to the full episode!

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UX Design for Specialized Domains is something we at Boston UX know a lot about. Check out this great article from my co-worker Dorothy Shamonsky!

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Bad design is like a virus, silently spreading chaos across your product or service. Small flaws today can transform into major headaches tomorrow, eroding user satisfaction and trust. Invest in thoughtful, user-centered design from the get-go. Early detection and correction aren't just nice-to-haves—they're essential for sustainable growth. Let's show the world that good design is good business. 💪 https://lnkd.in/eH9tC2xe #DesignThinking #UXDesign #BusinessGrowth

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Providing a truly remarkable customer experience is more than just bells and whistles. It's about a fundamental shift in mindset. In this article Pim van Helten takes us on a journey towards the new age of CX, one that does not shy away from asking “and” what else? Check it out 💯 #CX #branding #customerexperience

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6 Methods for Making UX Relevant to Executives https://bit.ly/3saMbQD If you’re in an organization that doesn’t fully understand UX, that limits your ability to influence. It also makes your team vulnerable if there’s ever a need to cut costs. #ux #userexperience #marketingtips #marketingstrategy #satisfaction #loyalty

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We all feel the need, the need for speed---> Ok, fellow UX nerds and Top Gunners, this one’s for you. But really, both right- and left-brainers need to heed the siren song of speed. Why? We’re all increasingly impatient. Our attention spans are compressing exponentially. We want what we want – especially in the digital landscape in which we all frolic – quicker and easier. One obvious way to deliver that is to fine-tune your website and app for fast loading times. Use techniques such as lazy loading, content delivery networks (CDNs), and optimized images to reduce loading times and improve overall performance. #ux #ui #webdesign #digitalagency #digitalmarketing #aimhigher More tips at: https://lnkd.in/enva2NVf

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Value assertions are crucial promises that companies make to highlight the user experience. By blending emotion with impact and showcasing how products or services enrich lives, we can separate design from business strategy and concentrate on what truly counts. https://lnkd.in/g9U6CzgC

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Love this thoughtful and balanced argument for resetting expectations for what design (lowercase d intentional) and design leaders can and can't fix from Sarah Gallivan Mitchell. Andy Polaine, in his response (https://lnkd.in/eC959VEc) to the some of the same rhetoric Sarah responds to, has likened the growth of the design industry in the past 15-20 years to the Cambrian Explosion. It bears considering that the real Cambrian Explosion was followed in relatively short order by multiple mass extinction events. Some species that were less well adapted to the changing conditions for life on Earth didn't make it, but this allowed new forms of life to develop and flourish. My hope is that some evolutionary selection may take place over time in regards to which voices are anointed to speak for All of Design, so that voices like Sarah's may, too, be heard and flourish. #design #designleadership #futureofdesign https://lnkd.in/eQ-PGgBM

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What role would UX professionals (researchers and designers) play in the era of AI and the future of probabilistic design? ***************************** As AI technology, models, and AI-powered features gain attention, I still believe that UX specialists play a crucial role in ensuring that AI systems are human-centric, focused on usability, and ethical, transparent, and accessible to everyone without stress, just as we have always done. 1. Human-Centric Design: - Focus on user needs, behaviors, and emotions. - Make AI systems intuitive and user-friendly. 2. Ethical and Transparent AI: - Ensure AI decisions are clear and understandable. - Integrate ethical considerations to build user trust. 3. Balanced Personalization and Customization: - Use AI to tailor experiences to individual preferences. - Balance personalization with consistency to avoid overwhelming users. 4.Usability and Accessibility: - Create easy-to-use AI interfaces. - Ensure accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities. 5. Collaboration with AI: - Enhance the design process with AI tools. - Work with data scientists and engineers to integrate AI capabilities. 6. Predictive and Adaptive Design: - Design interfaces that predict user needs. - Develop adaptive interfaces based on user interactions. 7. Data-Driven Design: - Use large datasets to inform design choices. - Continuously improve designs with user feedback. 8. Continuous Improvement: - Refine interfaces with real-time data. - Optimize user experience based on user feedback and continuous testing. While UX designers ensure AI technologies are user-friendly and effective, AI-driven approaches often overshadow user-first principles. This challenge remains a critical theme for UX professionals. Additionally, AI can handle many UI design tasks, such as automating routine work and generating design variations. This allows designers to focus more on strategic and creative aspects, enhancing efficiency and innovation.

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I have found that the Value Proposition Canvas falls a bit short, so over the years I have expanded upon it to suit my purposes. In particular, I want to have a value proposition that is grounded in user research, rather than just an introspective approach. Secondly, I have needed a means to ground it in the competencies of the company or team. Thirdly, I needed a way to measure whether it was good enough. Lastly, I didn't want it to be set in stone, like a requirement, but be a guide that is continuously being challenged and refined. https://lnkd.in/eXVUXNyD

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Thanks, Stanford Online for a great 🌟 #webinar on #DesignThinking. The crucial value here is applying the #case method popularized by Harvard Business School to decompose and address real project challenges raised by the audience in real time. Success stories from companies leading various industries showcase that learning #DesignThinking is a never-ending story ultimately leading to creating high-quality solutions. 🚀 What we value the most at Lerpal is the close-knit bond between Design and Development empowering Full-Cycle Product Development. More game-changers to come! 💡  #Lerpal #DesignAndDevelopment #Innovation #ProductDevelopment #BusinessStrategy #HarvardBusinessSchool

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Join me and my guest, Kareem Collie, for Episode 135 of the #DesignThinking 101 #Podcast: Leading Design + Collaboration + Why Design Thinking. #leadership #curiosity #creativity Listen to it here: https://bit.ly/3UIZnfP

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Inclusive workplaces start with acknowledging and appreciating every dimension of employee identity. Last year, a team of incredible AnswerLab UX researchers engaged with LGBTQIA+ employees nationwide to explore their workplace experiences. Their research resulted in actionable steps companies can take to enhance inclusion and foster a sense of belonging. In fact, we implemented many of the team’s recommendations in our own workplace. And now, I’m reflecting on the fact that their findings remain relevant today, especially as local governments across the US continue to push forward policies that harm our LGBTQIA+ communities. This Pride Month, I encourage you to learn more about Applying UX Research to Create Inclusive LGBTQIA+ Work Experiences. You’ll hear about the methodologies used, the insights gained, and the practical implications for cultivating inclusive work environments for your LGBTQIA+ employees. https://lnkd.in/e8FSwr3P I am so proud of this work and grateful for all the AnswerLab UXRs past and present who took part in it. Brenna Traynor, UX, DEI, Billy Table, PhD, Sabrina Del Moral, Eden J., Kureem Nugent, Henry H, Max Symuleski, Michelle Teaford Wojcik, PhD Delvin T. Edmond #inclusivity #dei #uxresearch

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Time to rethink personalization: From a static single portrait to a dynamic human-centered approach controlled by users based on their complex needs. From one identity to multifaceted identities. #UX #personalization #AI #CX #usercentricdesign #digitalmarketing

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