A commitment to lifelong learning is one of the most important contributing factors to excelling in UX. Understanding the science of education can help us to excel and optimize our success in UX, no matter our current level of seniority and expertise. In this episode, Darren shares some science-related factoids about learning and how we can get the most out of practically any learning scenario to which we're...

This week, Darren revisits the topic of UX Kool-aid, exposing five additional points of interest: Design systems, artificial intelligence, faux educational resources, the Ph.D. to UX movement, and blind embracing of imposter syndrome. You can't judge a book by its cover. Up for the challenge of facing some truth bombs? Tune in for the details. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#koolaid Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX...

Many know that today's UX hiring landscape is broken, but few can explain it. This week, Darren talks about several normalized aspects of today's UX hiring practices that are all dysfunctional, inquitable, and incivil. Tune in for the breakdown.  #ux #podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux

Many know that today's UX hiring landscape is broken, but few can explain it. This week, Darren talks about several normalized aspects of today's UX hiring practices that are all dysfunctional, inquitable, and incivil. Tune in for the breakdown.  #ux #podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux

Ever heard someone say "Stop drinking the Kool-aid?" This metaphoric statement refers to a tragic event in American history where people either blindly or through coercion ingested something self-detrimental. Figuratively, the same thing is happening en masse in today's UX community. In this episode, Darren highlights several happenings and mindsets reflective of drinking the proverbial Kool-aid, challenging people to rise above this destructive trend and practice in...

This week, Darren shares an interview with Jorge Arango — the author of such books as Duly Noted and Living in Information: Responsible Design for Digital Places. He's also a co-author of the latest edition of Information Architecture: For the Web and Beyond (aka "the Polar Bear book"). Jorge shares insights about how designers can super charge their personal thinking, augment their minds, devising stratgies around knowledge mining and manage, artificial intelligence, and service design....

It has been said that the years a UX professional spends at one company is like "dog years." In other words, there is a 7:1 ratio between the years of a dog's life compared to that of a human. This puts a completely different spin on the assumptions made about an employee's short stints. This week, Darren takes time to demystify several of the factors associated with one's length of time at a company — focusing on the perspectives of those seeking work as well as hiring managers and hiring...

In the first session celebrating the podcast's 4th anniversary, Darren shares a high-level view of UX's transitional history — sharing different ways in which the discipline has evolved from 1995 to 2024 along with its associated challenges and issues. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#uxpotpourri

In this potpourri session, Darren tackles such topics as the fallibility of design exercises, asking boot campers for their retrospectives, the downshift in UX job qualifications, today's dysfunctional barrier of entry to UX, and a few quick quips about AI and UX. Enjoy! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux

The overall length of the Sinister series called for a recap. In this episode, Darren highlights and presents a "top 10" list of the traits presented throughout the series with some extra commentary on each not shared previously. Can you guess which traits made Darren's top 10? Can you guess which is number one on the list?Check out this episode for the breakdown. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at...

The Sinister series closes today with Darren examining a "code of silence" that appars to be a norm in UX circles. This code of silence, however, and its associated mindset have been at the core of UX's downward spiral. Darren identifies and explains each of the related traits. Tune in and empower yourself! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com....

Building upon last week's traits associated with the war amidst seniors, Darren shares several not-so-comfortable stories illustrating sinister activities at work in the UX community. Better to know than to be blindsided. ;-) Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#sinisterUX

This week, Darren drops a gauntlet by sharing one of the most sinister and ugliest aspects of today's UX landscape — traits of senior-on-senior crime within the discipline. Examples include nullification, reconnoitering, framing, cronyistic support, framing, and apathy to name a few. Tune in for this rich segment. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com....

In this segment of the Sinister series, Darren outlines a critical yet detrimental milestone in today's UX culture — the redefining of UX. Darren explains how and when it happened, what the various segments mean to people across the discipline, and what we need to do in order to overcome the associated challenges. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com....

In this potpourri session, Darren takes time to address some key current happenings and mindsets in UX today: 1) Faux recommendations from UX leaders; 2) The return of the "which design is better" social media posts; 3) The copycat top UX trends blog posts; 4) A word of encouragement for seasoned UXers currently job hunting. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com....

In another interlude, Darren spends time sharing a few more stories and observations that illustrate sinister activites, behaviors, and attitudes being normalized in UX circles today, including his revisiting and explaining the corruption associated with UX portfolio reviews. Check it out! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#sinisterUX

As an interlude to the Sinister series, Darren shares his perspectives on the recent attacks being levied on Don Norman and Jakob Nielsen. He also shares a history of Nielsen and Norman's many contributions to the discipline, provides recommendations on how to process the accusations, and pays homage to several UX pioneers and early practitioners. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at...

In Part 20 of the Sinister series, Darren addresses a trend observed over the years — one that involves a regularly declining support for operations, within and outside of UX teams, what is costs us, and the importance of overturning this trend. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#sinisterUX

In Part 19 of the Sinister series, Darren engages in a few observational and constructive rants about today's UX operation. Topics covered include but are not limited to such things as misdirection with the isms, folks who view accessibility as nothing more than a buzzword, predatory mentoring, people claiming to speak on behalf of the entire design community, and more. Tune in for the latest truth bombs. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX...

In the return to the Sinister series, Darren presents an "interlude," where he provides some insights derived from his personal journey in UX, coupled with a high-level view of the discipline's history. Via this look, Darren tracks and discusses the freefall of UX, when it began, and what it means for those dedicated to the proper representation of the discipline. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at...

In this special episode, Darren holds an extended conversation with his guest, Justin Ranton — Principal of Blkhōl Design Studio in Seattle, Washington. Justin provides insights about his transition into design freelancing, the keys to running a successful freelance business, how to find clients, and the connection between sales and UX work. Tune in for this extremely insightful session. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at...

As a segue from the Sinister series, Darren holds a conversation with three mid-level UX professionals — Prachi Abhyankar, Christanna Hemmingway, and Andy Shaffer. Tune in as the group spends time discussing a few hot topics associated with the discipline. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux

In this episode of Sinister coverage, Darren enters the homestretch of this series. This week, he focuses on the deceitfulness of cancel culture in UX, covering several examples, topics, and the impact they're having on the discipline. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#sinisterUX#cancelculture

In this episode of Sinister coverage, Darren covers items 53 through 61 from the list of traits at work in today's world of UX. He also revisits two of the topics covered in previous episodes. Enjoy! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#sinisterUX