DesignOps Aligned Podcast Show

“Elevating UX Research in Organizations” – Act 03 – Scene 43 – Pedro Vargas In this episode, Pedro Vargas shares insights on research operations, their origins, pillars, and how to elevate the role of research in organisations. We explore how research can be strategically positioned to influence product development and leadership buy-in. Key Topics Origins of ResearchOps and its relation to Design...

Meltem Naz Kasohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/meltemnaz/ Javier Andrés Bargas-Avilahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/javierbargas/ In this conversation, we delve into the pressing issue of burnout within the UX field, exploring its causes, personal experiences, and the distinction between stress and burnout. They discuss the importance of research in understanding burnout, the role of design leaders in pre...

In this episode, Reginé Gilbert discusses the importance of accessibility in design, the current state of awareness, and the challenges designers and product managers face. She emphasises the need for a shift in mindset towards accessibility as a core aspect of design rather than an afterthought. The conversation explores the ROI of accessibility, the importance of user testing, and practical step...

“LinkedIn Brand-building for Designers” – Act 02 – Scene 40 – Thijs Kraan In this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Thijs Kraan explore the evolving landscape of design, the importance of leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding, and the challenges of content creation. Thijs shares insights on how to effectively communicate the value of design, the long-term commitment required for successfu...

Modus Operandi – Episode 7 - Luminous Fragments – Miranda Slayter In this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Miranda Slayter explore the current job market's challenges, ethical dilemmas in design, and the impact of AI on the industry. They discuss the importance of transparency, the role of designers in measuring impact, and the need for strong design leadership. The conversation also exp...

“Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Act 02 – Scene 39 – Amanda Gelb In this conversation, Naresh Shan and Amanda Gelb discuss the critical role of workshops in design and the importance of stakeholder buy-in, exploring strategies for effectively communicating the value of workshops, managing group dynamics, and harnessing divergent opinions. They emphasize the necessity of clear agendas...

Modus Operandi – Episode 6 - Whisper Gallery – Noelle Lansford Summary In this episode of the Modus Operandi podcast, hosts Naresh Shan and Noelle Lansford delve into the complexities of collaboration between designers and developers, highlighting the challenges of communication, onboarding, and the impact of daily design changes on development processes. They discuss the importance of understandi...

"Should Everybody Do Research?" - Act 02 - Scene 38 - Kate Towsey Summary In this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast, Naresh Shan speaks with Kate Towsey, a prominent figure in the field of research operations. They discuss the evolution and current state of research ops, the importance of democratizing research, and the role of researchers in product development. Kate emphasises t...

In this conversation, Naresh Shan and Miranda Slayter delve into the evolving role of UX designers, emphasising the importance of education, strategic thinking, and collaboration within organisations. They discuss the challenges designers face in being recognised for their value, the impact of design systems on creativity, and the necessity of building trust with stakeholders. The dialogue undersc...

“Research is a slow process, but valuable” – Act 02 – Scene 37 – Theo Johnson In this episode, Naresh Shan speaks with Theo Johnson, a senior UX researcher at Microsoft. They discuss the challenges and intricacies of UX research within large corporate organisations, the importance of storytelling in presenting research findings, and the evolving role of AI in the research process. Theo shares insi...

“The Hype of AI: Understanding Its Real Impact” – Act 02 – Scene 36 – Brandon C. White In this conversation, Brandon and Naresh explore the evolving landscape of AI, discussing its impact on business, critical thinking, and parenting. They delve into the hype surrounding AI technologies, the necessity for businesses to develop coherent strategies, and the potential dangers of over-reliance on AI t...

“Making Accessibility a Priority” – Act 02 – Scene 35 – Maigen Thomas Summary In this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast Maigen Thomas discusses the critical importance of accessibility in design. They explore the transition from development to design, the challenges designers face in implementing accessibility, and the role of product managers in advocating for inclusive design. Maigen shar...

“The Future of Prototyping: UXPin vs. Figma” – Act 02 – Scene 34 – Jack Behar Summary In this conversation, Naresh Shan and Jack Behar discuss the capabilities and advantages of UXPin, a design and prototyping platform that aims to bridge the gap between design and development. They compare UXPin with Figma, highlighting UXPin's code-first approach and centralized collaboration features. The discu...

“The New Landscape of Design” – Act 02 – Scene 33 – Thomas Wilson In this episode, Naresh Shan and Thomas discuss the evolving landscape of UX design, emphasising the shift from traditional UI roles to strategic positions within organisations. They explore the impact of AI on design, the importance of understanding business fundamentals, and the need for designers to build trust and influence with...

“Unlocking the Value of Conferences” – Act 02 – Scene 32 – Damian Martone Leadership Ateliers Training for upcoming design leaders with multiple workshops and masterclasses in Lisbon (April 23-24), Barcelona (May 5-6) and Berlin (May 21-22). Get €100 off using the code DESIGNOPSALIGNED Website: https://www.leadershipateliers.com Hatch Conference 3-Day festival for senior designers and above. Featu...

“Balancing Creativity and Business in Design” - Act 02 - Scene 31 – Alexander Christian In this conversation, Naresh Shan interviews Alex, a seasoned UX leader, about his journey in the design industry, the evolution of design practices, and the challenges junior designers face today. Alex shares insights on the balance between creativity and process, the role of design systems, and the importance...

“Career Strategy Lab: A New Approach to UX Education” - Act 01 - Scene 30 – Sarah Doody In this conversation, Naresh Shan and Sarah Doody discuss the evolution of UX design, the challenges faced by job seekers in the current market, and the importance of effective communication and portfolio presentation. Sarah shares insights from her experience running the Career Strategy Lab, emphasizing the ne...

“Navigating the Job Market: Insights from Experts” - Act 01 - Scene 29 – Nina & Javier In this episode, Javier Bargas and Nina Weber to discuss the current state of the job market, particularly in the UX design field. They explore the challenges job seekers face, including ghosting in applications, the importance of tailoring resumes, and the impact of AI on job security. The conversation also...

“Why Design Language Matters” - Act 01 - Scene 28 – Ben Callahan In this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast, Naresh Shan interviews Ben Callahan, a prominent figure in the design systems space. They discuss the evolution of responsive design, the importance of accessibility, and the shift towards adaptive design. Ben shares insights on the role of design systems in fostering creativity while...

“Designing the Future: The Truth About UX” - Act 01 - Scene 27 – Felix Lee In this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Felix Lee explore the intricacies of mentorship in the design industry, the impact of social media on perceptions of UX/UI, and the evolving role of AI in design. They discuss the essential qualities of a good mentor, the importance of truth-seeking in design, and the challenge...

“Overcoming Fear in Career Changes Mastering Storytelling in UX Design” - Act 01 - Scene 26 – Ricardo Brito In this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Ricardo Brito explore the complexities of career transitions, the importance of storytelling in personal reinvention, and the impact of trauma on professional dynamics. Ricardo shares his journey from product design to coaching, emphasizing the...

"From Curiosity to Clarity: Nikki’s Growth in User Research” - Act 01 - Scene 25 – Nikki Anderson In this engaging conversation, Nikki shares her journey as a user researcher, emphasizing the evolution of the field over the past five years. She discusses the importance of demonstrating the ROI of user research, the necessity of KPIs, and the shift from big reveals to continuous feedback. Nikki als...

“Measuring the impact of Content Design” - Act 01 - Scene 24 – Jeremy Dodd In this episode of the Design Ops Align podcast, Jeremy Dodd, a content writer at Atlassian, discusses the critical role of content design in the UX process. Topics include measuring the ROI of content writing, integrating content writers early in the design process, and methodologies for testing and validating content. Jer...

" Navigating the Future of UX Testing” - Act 01 - Scene 23 – Alejandro Rivas-Micoud In this episode of DesignOps Aligned, host Naresh Shan welcomes Alejandro Rivas-Micoud, CEO of Userlytics, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of UX research, AI, and accessibility testing. Alejandro shares his insights on how Userlytics, a global leader in remote user experience and usability testing, is n...

In this podcast episode, Jeremy Miller, a well-known UX industry figure, discusses common UX design themes. He discusses the importance of soft skills, communication, and technical skills. He also explores how UX design has evolved from a function of engineering to a separate partnership. Jeremy emphasizes the need for UX designers to speak the business's language and understand their work's botto...