By Adam Gamwell, Gary David
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The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.
The original goal of those in the field of usability was pretty simple: to make products and environments that were more usable for those who were interacting with them. By looking at how to make better products, there was the potential to make life better as well. If greater profitability could be gained through these efforts, then great. At the same time, this was not necessarily the primary goal. Profit was not to be done over people. Rather, profit would happen when people were happier with their products.
There has been a shift in usability, however. Part of that shift lies in the name itself, which is now known as user experience (or UX). Coined by Don Norman during his time at Apple, UX went beyond just how ‘usable’ a product was. Rather, it referred to the totality of the experience that a user had with the product (which could include usability but was not limited to it). Still, though, the goal was to make things better, if just in a larger scope.
Some things have changed when it comes to UX. Don Norman has criticized contemporary UX as not being ‘real’ ux in the traditional sense. There have been other critiques as well, especially around what is known as ‘dark patterns.’ This kind of UX work uses social science and design to create environments that are manipulative and aimed primarily (or solely) on profit. Or, what might be considered to be the antithesis of UX.
Karen T. Lin also has some thoughts on the direction of UX today, and what might need to be done to fix it. Karen has worked as a Chief Experience Officer and Head of UX for startups and financial institutions. More importantly, in my opinion, she initiated the #StopUXErasure effort which is aimed at restoring UX, as well as reducing the tech supremacy which impacts our lives in negative ways.
We talk about a range of issues related to experience design and user experience, including:
As American troubadour Bob Dylan said, “The times they are a changin’.” I’m recording this one week after the 2024 presidential election. Without delving into the specifics of any particular outcome, one thing that is clear is there are going to be some major changes.
Change can produce a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, even when there are positive changes taking place. It can feel overwhelming, especially when we lose a sense of control over the future.
In reality, there is very little that is in our control. There is a saying that we can’t control people, places, and things. I can only control my reaction to these things, and take the action that I can.
But what action to take? What can and should a person do when the options of action feel limited?
To discuss these topics, we have Donna Dupont. Donna is the Founder and Chief Strategist in Foresight & Design for Purple Compass. Donna has a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation, which she has applied in healthcare, environment and sustainability, and generally helping organizations think about and plan for the future.
Donna and I talk about:
Purple Compass https://www.purplecompass.ca/
Donna Dupont https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-dupont/
Today we have a fascinating discussion lined up with Alex Nathanson, a technologist, artist, and founder of Energy Transition Design LLC.
In this episode, we'll explore the intricate challenges and opportunities that come with solar-powered technology, particularly solar roof tiles and the broader adoption of renewable energy solutions. Alex will shed light on the high costs and extended installation times that make solar roof tiles less competitive compared to traditional solar panels. We'll also delve into the socio-political dynamics that shape renewable energy adoption and the importance of visibility and awareness in promoting solar technology.
Alex emphasizes the neutrality of solar power, advocating for an unbiased approach to its adoption and the crucial role of actively designing equitable, renewable energy infrastructures. His work, which blends art with themes of energy and sustainability, offers unique insights into how solar-powered art can engage communities and inspire collective action.
Additionally, Alex will share details about his new book project aimed at providing practical design methods for creating solar-powered art. We'll also discuss the significance of interdisciplinary teamwork and the idea of integrating technology within cultural contexts to ensure sustainability.
Stay tuned as we journey into the intersection of art, technology, and climate action, and learn how intentional design can drive meaningful changes in our approach to renewable energy.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-nathanson-2a1727160/
Website - https://alexnathanson.com/index.html
Solar Power for Artists - https://www.solarpowerforartists.com/
When you work in academia, you come across some very smart people. This should be surprising given that academics spend an enormous amount of time exploring whatever topic they study. And people become academic experts by digging into the particulars of areas that can be pretty narrow and focused. This is the nature of academia: develop niche knowledge in a certain area where you develop that insight throughout a career.
And if you ever tried listening to some of those people talk about their work, or read their work in academic publications, you’ll know that it can be very difficult to decipher precisely what they are talking about. Given the amount of time and dedication it takes to achieve academic brilliance, this shouldn’t be surprising. Speaking as an academic (and not a brilliant person), this is how we are trained to communicate, and primarily to each other.
One of the great things about the Ted Talk and TedX movement is that it has created a format through which people who have something to say can find the means to say it. This also has created a platform through which public scholarship can take place, and insights can be translated to a wider audience.
In this era of wicked problems, disinformation, and social media, it is vital that we translate as much knowledge as possible.
Nick Kindler’s business is about how to help smart people improve their ability to communicate. Using an approach they call Communication Canvas, Nick with Kindler and Company give speakers the signposts they need to know the route they have to go in order to avoid verbal cul de sacs and and deliver a performance that audiences can remember.
Nick draws on his experience in improv and acting, Nick talks about how it is vital that speakers bring themselves into their presentation. He discusses the importance of taking personal stories that they haven't shared, tell the story in a way that is Ted worthy, and unpack the learnings and takeaways. When we tell our stories in the right environment, it is cathartic and helps someone else.
Nick asks us to focus on three key questions:
Nick Kindler LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkindler
Nick Kindler Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nick_kindler/
Kindler and Company - https://www.kindlerandcompany.com/
Maybe it just is the way that I am viewing the world, but it seems like everyday reveals another fresh disaster. It could be that disasters have always been with us, and now we are just more aware of them. Global news at our fingertips doesn’t necessarily help as we can tap into events that occur anywhere at any time.
Even with this, it seems like disasters are moving closer and closer to home. It is a privilege to live in a society where emergency management is a thing that can be relied upon. When disaster does strike, we may have some confidence that there will be professionals that help deal with the situation in a timely manner.
But that will only get you so far. Just watch any zombie movie. It is scary how quickly civil society can break down when the dead rise and start to consume the living. Then what? Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse?
Or even a more ‘routine’ disaster? While we all might roll our eyes at fire drills, do they help us prepare for a fire? Or is it just preparedness theater?
Rick Rescorla didn’t believe in preparedness theater. He believed in actually being prepared. After the WTC attacks in 1993, he was worried about another attack taking place. In his role of VP for corporate security at Dean Witter Morgan Stanley, he had a disaster contingency plan that was rehearsed over and over with staff.
When 9/11 happened, he was able to save thousands of lives by going forward with his evacuation plan. Unfortunately, he died as he went back to make a final sweep for employees. But because of his preparedness and taking it seriously, many people were able to survive that day.
To help us think about the zombie apocalypse and other types of disasters, we welcome Patrick Hardy, also known as Disaster Patrick. Patrick has spent a career in disaster management, even though originally he wanted to be a cultural anthropologist. He was there in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as well as other events where people were in their greatest need due to circumstances beyond their control.
Now he works with organizations to help ensure that they are in position to deal with disasters, whether natural or manmade. We talk about how he tries to create training experiences so that people can be prepared. We explore the difference between being the person who cried wolf, and actually taking preparation seriously. In fact, we discuss the prepper movement and what we can learn from their perspectives regarding self-sufficiency and resilience.
Finally, we talk about how disaster preparation is an important part of employee and community experience so that your workers feel safe and cared for in the workplace.
Patrick Hardy Website - https://disasterpatrick.com/
Patrick Hardy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/disasterpatrick/
Patrick Hardy YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisasterPatrick
There is something about building something with one’s hands that seems to resonate. There is a resilience in being able to bring forth out of different parts and ingredients a thing that is whole and new. Of course, in American culture there is a deep notion of creation and springing forth from hard work, and with experience and knowledge that can make someone a craftsperson. Maybe this urge has increased the more that we are surrounded by convenience and things that are ready made. To still be able to pull something together and build it might remind us that we still have it in us.
Despite this, we see a decrease in people entering the skill trades. Looking at the total composition of those working in the trades, the population continues to age. Young people are not seeking these opportunities, even though there appears to be an uptick among Gen Z. No doubt there is a need for such workers.
A recent survey found that 91% of those who are in the skilled trades tend to be very satisfied with their careers. Additionally, at a time when so many jobs are being threatened by AI and even off-shoring. It is hard to send plumbing or electrical to someplace else to get one. And while technological advances can improve the productivity of construction and other work, it is not likely to replace people any time soon.
Our guest today, Jesse Hernandez, knows something about skills trades and the workplace culture that surrounds it. He grew up in this world, with a father who was a plumber. He got his own journeyman’s license. Through his professional journey he noticed that he had a love for teaching which grew into a professional speaking for the skilled trades industry. A big emphasis of his speaking is to create building sites and an environment that is personally growthful and emotionally supportive.
We cover a lot of different areas in our conversation. We explore how some poor decisions led him to 12 Step recovery. Topics like experience, strength, and hope all resonated with the changes he thought needed to be made on the worksite. The foundation of service to others informed the messages that he spreads to others. We discuss how there is a shift in the construction industry toward a people-centered culture. We also discuss his accidental discovery of being a content creator, and finding new avenues to share his message.
Ultimately, we end with the importance of knowing how to say you need help, and that you don’t have to suffer alone.
Jesse Hernandez LinkedIn
Depth Builder website
No BS with Jen and Jess YouTube
I never expected the word “algorithm” to play such a significant role in life and society. Growing up, I thought an algorithm was something that we would leave to math classes. The last time I took a math class to complete my undergraduate degree requirements. After that, I figured I was done with algorithms.
But nope. Algorithms have been thrust back into our lives. We live in an age where not only are we trying to learn the algorithms, but we are trying to beat the algorithms. There are forces largely unknown that are not just determining what we see, but the extent to which others can see us. For those who are trying to make content, post content, and be seen, it can be a major uphill battle. As more and more material gets tossed out into the online world, it is harder and harder to be noticed.
There is this pull to become brands, to become products, to be commodities that are recognizable to customers. We gear materials to accomplishing those ends, with hopes that we can become definable in a particular kind of way. But like the tree that falls in the forest, if content is posted online but no one is there to see it, does it make any noise?
To help us with the question of what makes content that connects and beating the algorithm, we welcome Tyler Schmoker to the podcast. Tyler has an interesting history in the area of military intelligence through his time in the US Army. From that, he started his own company called Winsly that works with a range of businesses to help them with security, innovation, risk assessment, and business strategy, amongst other things.
We talk with Tyler what makes for information that resonates with your audience. We explore how he has used lessons from real tradecraft to crafting social media content. While the term ‘propaganda’ now has a negative connotation, at its root it means creating messages that are meant to prompt and elicit certain behaviors. But we can only do that if our message is built to connect to our audience, and they can see it.
To do so, we have to apply a programmatic approach, documenting what works and what doesn’t, learning lessons, and building a base.
We discuss how to use the lessons he learned from his intelligence work and how he applies that to business clients. We talk about whether “military intelligence” is in fact a contradiction in terms. We look at the ethics of technology and AI, especially when it comes to social media. Specifically, we look at how to leverage these insights to platforms like LinkedIn, and create content and communication that connects.
Tyler Schmoker - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-schmoker-76997756/
Winsly - https://www.winslyllc.com/
Social Media for Security Professionals - https://securityjournalamericas.com/a-social-media-for-security-part-1/
When I was growing up, it was not uncommon to hear someone being told “Don’t be so sensitive.” Typically this was said when a person was being accused of reacting too strongly to some minor action. Another similar statement could be “why are you so sensitive?”
Sensitive skin is referred to as being problematic and requiring special care. A sensitive stomach is something that can easily cause us problems. Eyes that are sensitive to the light can make it hard to see.
It seems that being sensitive, or too sensitive, is something to be avoided.
The problem gets exacerbated when we put other variables into the mix. Men are not supposed to be sensitive. Women are allowed to be sensitive, but not too sensitive. Or maybe they are expected to be too sensitive because that’s just how they are.
But what about leaders? How sensitive are leaders supposed to be? Is sensitivity a virtue in leadership, or something that is supposed to be avoided? Does sensitivity cloud our judgment, or give us insights that allow us to make better decisions?
Heather Dominick talks about how she was a victim of her own sensitivity. She experienced how being highly sensitive could negatively impact her mindset and her life. Despite all of this, she never realized that she was highly sensitive, and rather than being a flaw it was a character trait that she could use to help herself and others.
Starting as a drama teacher, she decided to start her own business during the height of a recession. It was during this time that she started to understand what it meant to be a highly sensitive person.
As a result, she began to think about her entrepreneurial journey differently. She describes it as a lightbulb moment, where she changed what she thought was necessary to create success.
From this she created her Highly Sensitive Leadership Training Program for Entrepreneurs. It is a different approach from what has been traditionally thought necessary for business success. Rather than seeing sensitivity as a liability, she now views it as an asset and feature. Rather than trying to change who she is, she sees her sensitivity as part of her journey. And as we discuss, how this applies to designing experiences with sensitivity and awareness.
There is a saying that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. Clearly, there is a lot more certain in life, with perhaps the most important one being healthcare.
Healthcare is something that we all encounter throughout our lives. Health is something that many of us may take for granted, but is always something that is in flux. We might ponder that our bodies are in a process of continuously breaking down, with a long spiral toward entropy, or a gradual decline toward disorder. Healthcare helps to delay that process to whatever extent we can, trying to stave off the inevitable and provide a footing upon which we can exist with some amount of comfort, stability, and security.
A pandemic of course can bring this into stark focus. There is a certain vulnerability to having mass illness with unknown origins, unfamiliar symptoms and contagiousness, and potential fatal consequences.
A lack of healthcare, a feeling of illness, not having knowledge about how to fend off disease all can make us feel exceptionally vulnerable. And scared.
Some will say that our belief in superstition, magical thinking, and even religious belief all are our way of dealing with this uncertainty around our physical wellbeing and impending doom.
Likewise science is another tool with which we can stave off our decline and try to have some control through making choices to improve our health and extend our lives.
But how do we translate scientific knowledge and advances so that people can follow them? And how might we use innovative design to improve healthcare outcomes?
Dr. Jessica Mudry is focused on these questions through the work she does at Toronto Metropolitan University. There she is a Professor and Chair of the School of Professional Communication. She also is the Director of the Creative School’s Healthcare User Experience Lab. Here she uses her background in science and communication to generate ideas and create content to improve healthcare outcomes and improve health equity.
In this episode, we talk about her path from chemistry to communication. We explore narrative theory, rhetoric, and language, and how we can apply them to scientific communication.
She talks about how we have to learn to tell stories about science. We can’t just tell one story, but have to understand how different stories can resonate with different audiences. Her work in science television demonstrates how you tell stories well, and how the best stories will win attention. We have to take inspiration from how young people communicate, and rethink what it means to have create academic content.
Finally we talk about how Canadians are nice, how to create better impact measurements in academia, and how we can find humanity in healthcare.
Dr. Jessica Mudry - https://www.torontomu.ca/procom/people/jessica-mudry/
Healthcare User Experience Lab - https://www.torontomu.ca/healthcare-user-experience-lab/
One of the central questions in experience design is how to not only engage the audience for whom we are designing, but also how do we best include them in the process of design. But such a statement can sound more like a platitude than an actual instruction. It is one thing to say “be inclusive”, but another to be truly inclusive. This can seem challenging when a designer’s remit can be to design something that is attractive to a broad audience. If we are trying to attract a broad audience, then how do we consider the needs of those who may exist outside of that.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a catchphrase when it comes to design. It is something that designers should be considering when trying to do designs that are representative, inclusive, and just. Part of the work of being a good designer is not only to believe in this, but also to get clients and employers to believe in this as well.
Any design process is political in that decisions have to be made that can affect stakeholders. How research questions are posed, data collected, results processes, and conclusions acted upon, can all be impacted by power. Those who are making decisions can do so in ways that further marginalization or increase inclusion. Which way things go depends on the conversations had and the decisions made.
Veronica Shelton and Hannah Ryu started the UX/UI design company Oak Theory with this understanding, and a goal of making inclusive design a core part of the design process. They are “on a mission to enhance digital design by championing authenticity and inclusivity.”
But to do so without creativity and strategy is not going to result in outcomes that best serve clients and impactful designs. So Oak Theory bridges all these elements, working with some of the biggest clients like IBM, Google, Figma, Adobe, Salesforce, Sephora, Amazon Web Services, and many others.
We talk with Veronica and Hannah about their journey to founding Oak Theory. We discuss the importance of including diverse perspectives, the role that female leadership plays in their organization, and how to be representative of voices in their research.
Ultimately they stress the importance of inviting, talking, learning, and caring, because without doing so we cannot create design that matters.
Oak Theory - https://oaktheory.co
Veronica Shelton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicashelton/
Hannah Ryu - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahryu/
The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.
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