Boagworld: UX, Design Leadership, Marketing & Conversion Optimization

This month we dig into whether Claude Design is any good, why so many people feel like AI is costing them time rather than saving it, and what it really means to stop being a doer and start being a director. Along the way we wander into the loss of craft, the ethics of AI, and a joke so niche it needs its own history lesson. App of the Month Claude Design is the tool that grabbed our attention thi...

This week, Paul and Marcus dig into why traditional user research repositories fail almost everyone in an organization, and how AI is quietly changing the game. There's also an App of the Month pick that's a little too on-the-nose, some pointed Google bashing, and a sheep-based punchline. AI-Powered User Research Repositories The pattern in most organizations is depressingly familiar: user researc...

So this month Marcus and I get into a slightly uncomfortable question. If AI can knock out decent interfaces from a text prompt, where does that leave the people whose day job is opening Figma and making screens look nice? We start with Google Stitch, which has been getting a lot of attention lately. Then we zoom out into something I have become mildly obsessed with, which is building AI skills. N...

This month, Paul and Marcus get into a tool that has made Paul cancel his Figma subscription, walk through how Paul has completely changed the way he approaches website rebuilds thanks to AI, and round things off with the latest thinking from Nielsen Norman Group on where UX is heading in 2026. App of the Week: figr.design Paul has been road-testing AI design tools as part of a workshop he ran on...

This episode we're joined by Stu Green , a product designer, agency founder, and serial app builder who's sold not one but two successful SaaS products. We dig into the realities of building your own product versus running an agency, the role AI plays in modern product development, and whether the flood of AI-built apps is a threat or an opportunity for professionals. Plus, we check out Bleet , an...

In this episode, we kick off 2026 with a candid look at where the UX industry stands and where it's heading. We dig into a thought-provoking article from Nielsen Norman Group, share our hopes (and fears) for the year ahead, and explore a fantastic design pattern catalog focused on building user trust. Plus, we discuss why generalists might just be the unicorns the industry needs right now. Topic o...

In this episode, we welcome back Andrew Millar from the University of Dundee to discuss the current state of higher education, vibe coding platforms for non-developers, and the importance of community-driven conferences like Scottish Web Folk. App of the Week: Bolt.new This week we're looking at Bolt.new , a vibe coding platform designed specifically for non-developers. Unlike tools like Cursor th...

If you run an e-commerce site or work on digital products, this conversation is packed with research-backed insights that could transform your conversion rates. Apps of the Week Before we get into our main discussion, we want to highlight a couple of tools that caught our attention recently. UX-Ray 2.0 We talked about this last week, but it deserves another mention. UX-Ray from Baymard Institute i...

Welcome to Episode 27 of the Boagworld Show, where we dive into a side of web work that doesn't get nearly enough attention. This month, we're exploring life as a freelancer working with small businesses. We're joined by Paul Edwards, a fellow member of the Agency Academy who has spent two decades serving clients that don't have massive budgets or sprawling marketing teams. If you've ever wondered...

You know, those sneaky little tricks sites use to funnel you into doing things you never intended, like paying for insurance you didn’t want or scrolling until your thumb falls off. We talked about why this stuff isn’t just bad manners, but also an accessibility issue, and how to push back when your boss is shouting about conversion rates. We also wandered off into personas, because what’s a Boagw...

In this episode, we look at why trust is key to good UX, especially with scams, deepfakes, and AI blurring the line between helpful and deceptive. We also ask if emotion-reading apps are helpful or just unsettling, and explore the tricky process of turning services into products. Plus, we discuss a framework from Nielsen Norman Group, tackle a listener's question on productization, and end with Ma...

In this episode, we chat with Sarah Zama from the University of Oxford about how she's helping to influence UX across one of the most complex and decentralized organizations in the world. We explore how she built a UX center of excellence almost from scratch, how the team is transforming culture through coaching and community, and what it takes to push UX forward in a challenging environment. Ther...

Joining me, Paul, are Marcus Lillington and Jared Spool, and together we explore how UX needs to reposition itself, what AI really means for designers, and how to navigate the current UX job landscape without losing hope. We also touch on some interesting new tools from Figma and an exciting AI-assisted prototyping app that could change how we work. App of the Week This episode highlights two key...

Creating Personality-Driven Design Experiences In this week’s episode of the Boagworld Show, we’re joined by none other than Andy “The Pioneer” Clarke. We dig deep into the role of aesthetics in UX, explore how AI can conduct user interviews, and debate how to approach pricing conversations with clients. Alongside our usual banter, you’ll find insights into why design needs personality and how cre...

This week, we catch up on Paul’s latest adventures—from a memorable dinner with Todd “the accessibility guru” where we talked WCAG 3, to a deep dive into the shifting landscape of design job titles. We’ll share an app that brings real form fields into your Figma prototypes, unpack why “product designer” is suddenly on everyone’s profile, and wrap up with a classic Marcus joke to send you on your w...

This week’s episode takes a deeper look at how we define good user experience—and argues it’s time we move beyond the narrow focus of usability. We explore how friction can sometimes enhance an experience, and why emotional design is essential if we want to create interfaces that stick in users’ minds. We also review a new batch of AI-powered design tools and uncover where they currently fall shor...

On this week's Boagworld Show, we're exploring how UX design leaders can take control of their roles within organizations, why UX agencies might feel doomed (but probably aren't), and how AI is reshaping the way we code and collaborate. We'll dig into practical strategies for UX leaders, share insights on the changing landscape for UX agencies, and provide guidance for navigating AI in your workfl...

On this week's Boagworld Show, we delve into the powerful concept of invisible user research - tackling how to conduct essential UX work even when stakeholders resist investing in formal research. We explore the often-overlooked impact of UX debt, crown a new champion among user-testing apps, and surprisingly, find ourselves nodding along with McKinsey on the strategic role of design leaders. App...

This week, we’re tackling a biggie—how to avoid the pitfalls of metrics. We’ll explore why tracking the wrong numbers can send your entire organization in the wrong direction and what you should be focusing on instead. We also have a fantastic Figma plugin to make your mockups more realistic, a thought-provoking read on AI’s impact on UX, and a listener question on handling the ever-growing number...

Welcome to another packed episode! This week, we're diving into three topics we think you'll find fascinating. First up, we're exploring why face-to-face meetings still matter in our digital world. Then, we'll share our favorite A/B testing tools (since Google Optimize is no longer with us), and finally, we'll look at how AI is reshaping UX with some eye-opening insights from Nielsen Norman Group....

In today's episode, we dive deep into how UX professionals can effectively demonstrate their value within organizations, especially during challenging times when the shine has come off UX and attention has shifted to AI. Form Analysis Tools: A Game-Changer for UX We kick off by exploring some exciting form analysis tools that can revolutionize how we optimize web forms. Tools like MouseFlow , Zuko...

I've watched with fascination how AI is reshaping the design landscape. While we've made incredible strides in using AI to enhance our design processes, I believe we're overlooking something crucial: the human experience of interacting with AI itself. You might wonder why this matters. Well, as AI becomes more deeply woven into our daily lives, the way we interact with these systems shapes their v...

Introduction: Embracing AI for UX Productivity 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...

What Does 2025 Hold for UX? As we approach the new year, it's time to reflect on the state of user experience design and look ahead to what 2025 might bring. In this episode of the Boagworld Podcast, Marcus and I dive into the trends, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead. Here are the key takeaways from our discussion. The Rise of Seamless AI Integration 2024 marked a pivotal year for arti...

In this episode, we dive into the frustrating world of Invitations to Tender (ITTs), explore why Notion might be the only app you need, and discuss treating AI like your newest intern. We also share our thoughts on Adobe's latest AI innovations and why UX seems to have lost its shine. The Problem with Traditional Tenders Our main topic for this show is Invitations to Tenders (ITTs). We've spent ye...