Erin and Carol are joined by Emily Wurgler, Global Director of Experience Design at McDonald's, whose journey has had many moments of evolution and iteration. She started as an academic researcher in sociology, transitioned to innovation research at growth stage companies, and ultimately to her leading enterprise research and design teams.

Emily talks about the unique value researchers bring to design leadership, how she's had to adapt her approach, and explains how product experiences are iterated and improved at large companies with a strong design-research partnership. Emily also shares how she's preparing her team of designers for the future of UX work and the characteristics she looks for in a new hire.

Highlights

• 07:30 Essential User Understanding for Product Success
• 13:50 Identifying Users for McDonald's Enterprise Products
• 24:38 Developing Innovative Product Solutions for Shift Leadership
• 30:46 Balancing Innovation with Existing Workflow Challenges
• 34:56 Cultivating Patience and Persistence for Organizational Change
• 39:05 Ranking Four Attributes: A Favorite Interview Question

About Emily
Emily Wurgler is the Global Director, Experience Design at McDonald's. She has over a decade of research experience at places like PeaPod Labs, dscout, and Over the Shoulder. She has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Indiana.

Resources

• UX Designer's Guide to Research
• Working in Design Research Consulting
• Design Thinking for Better Partnerships