In this episode of the Boagworld Podcast, we delve into the transformative role of AI in UX and web design. From cutting-edge Figma plugins to tools that revolutionize SEO, Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington share insights, tools, and strategies that can elevate your workflow. Whether you're a seasoned designer or new to the field, there's something here to enhance your productivity and effectiveness.

Paul kicks things off with a good old moan about his broadband woes, lamenting his epic quest for faster internet speeds. It’s the kind of saga every techie can relate to, complete with bureaucratic bungling and dashed hopes. Meanwhile, Marcus jumps in with his usual dose of cheeky humor, poking fun at Paul’s plight while reminding us all to roll with the punches in our ever-evolving digital lives.

Bluesky, a decentralized social platform, captures Paul's attention. Unlike traditional platforms, it allows users to choose algorithms that align with their preferences while maintaining their profiles. This adaptability is akin to email protocols where different clients coexist, offering flexibility and control. Paul’s enthusiasm highlights the importance of platforms designed with user autonomy at their core. Follow Paul on Bluesky to stay updated and chat.

Pathway is a user research platform offering robust features such as:

• Card sorting
• Prototype testing
• Surveys
• Five-second tests

Its generous free tier makes it a valuable resource for freelancers and small teams, allowing up to three projects and 250 responses per month.

Baymard’s free plugin brings data-driven insights directly into your Figma designs. Use it to:

• Justify design decisions with evidence-based reasoning.
• Include client-facing explanations for features like carousels or negative space.

This tool bridges the gap between design intuition and client buy-in, making it indispensable for designers.

Paul reflects on his evolving perspective on SEO, a topic he once viewed with strong skepticism. In fact, he even wrote a post on Smashing Magazine that captured his cynicism about the field at the time. While that article highlights why many designers have been wary of SEO, Paul’s perspective has evolved significantly. With guidance from Paul Edwards, he’s embraced modern SEO strategies that align with user experience, including:

1. Language Optimization: Crafting content with the phrases users actually search for.
2. User Journey Focus: Understanding informational, navigational, comparative, and transactional keywords.
3. Technical Improvements: Enhancing site performance, fixing broken links, and ensuring accessibility.

The synergy between SEO and UX is undeniable. When done right, SEO not only improves search rankings but also creates a more user-friendly experience.

AI is redefining how designers approach their work. Paul shares some standout tools:

Figma’s AI features include:

• Renaming layers for clarity
• Pre-populating content fields
• Auto-generating layouts

While its design-from-scratch capabilities remain underwhelming, these quality-of-life features can save designers significant time.

Perfect for rapid wireframing, Relume allows designers to quickly assemble block-based layouts. While its full designs need refinement, its speed and ease make it ideal for client presentations.

From generative fills to intuitive image redirection, Adobe is leveraging AI in groundbreaking ways. The Adobe Max conference showcased features that simplify complex design tasks, pushing the boundaries of creative possibilities.

AI isn’t just for design; it’s transforming UX research and analysis as well. Here are three standout tools making waves in the UX world:

Microsoft Clarity offers free heatmaps, session recordings, and AI-driven data queries, providing valuable insights into user behavior.

Attention Insight predicts where users will focus on a page with 96% accuracy, helping designers make informed layout decisions.

Strella automates user interviews and analyzes themes, creating highlight reels to showcase key findings. These tools empower UX professionals to make data-driven decisions while saving time.

Hemingway Editor optimizes web copy for clarity and conciseness. Its AI tools streamline edits, making content more scannable.

Notion AI integrates ChatGPT-like capabilities with context awareness, helping users craft tailored content with ease.

FixKey rewrites text with custom prompts for improved grammar and style. It’s a flexible tool for refining and enhancing written content, from casual emails to polished presentations.

Spark is an AI-powered email client that simplifies email management. It can summarize threads, draft replies, and even customize templates for individual conversations.

The key to leveraging AI lies in breaking out of old routines and exploring new possibilities. Paul urges listeners to pause before starting tasks and ask: Could AI make this faster or better?

By integrating these tools into your workflow, you’ll not only stay ahead of the competition but also unlock new levels of creativity and efficiency.

To wrap things up, Marcus shared his customary "dad joke" with this gem:

Why don’t skeletons fight each other? Because they don’t have the guts.

Dive deeper into these topics and join the conversation in our Slack channel.

We’ll see you next time, where we’ll continue exploring the ever-evolving landscape of web design and UX!

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