The World of UX with Dr Darren Hood

In the conclusion of the AMA and Talkin’ Shop session with Darren, Lou Susi, and Yaddy Arroyo, the trio talked about such topics as the product designer title, challenges of workplace dynamics, overlooked factoids associated with UX mentoring, the vanity of UX celebritism, nightmares experienced as a senior practitioner, quality teachers and their impact on up-and-coming UX professionals, managing...

In the second part of this Talkin' Shop and Ask Me Anything combo session, the following topics are addressed: the value proposition of UX; the pitfalls and consequences of poor UX hiring; the importance of good UX leadership; the necessity of critical thinking; psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism in UX circles; encountering and managing different types of human behavior; people who...

In Part One of this Talkin' Shop and Ask Me Anything combo session, the group discusses the following subjects: Artificial intelligence, design systems, UX writing, high-level book recommendations, recognizing Frankenstein design requests, achieving contentment as a UX professional, and the importance of UX strategy. REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources. #ux#podca...

In this segment from the Talk Circuit series, check out Darren's interview on the Aligned Podcast show with Naresh Shan. In this episode, Darren addresses such topics as specializations and the importance of fundamentals, the role of wireframes in UX design, the rush to learn UX and the detrimental effects, the need for a scientific approach to UX, and much more. Check out this very energetic...

This week's sharing from the Talk Circuit series includes Darren's appearance on the UX Pathways show (with Marc Majers), where the two delved into Darren's journey into UX and various lightbulb moments experienced along the way. Enjoy! REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#ux career tips Bookmark...

This week features the conclusion of Darren's interview with Dexignaire (India) where he provided a very broad and detailed look at the discipline of UX. Topics include an intro to UX, a UX design roadmap, UX basic principles, the importance of UX in various industries, the role of a UX designer, and a career scope. Enjoy! REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources. #ux...

This week's segment from the Talk Circuit series revisits part one of Darren's interview with Dexignaire (India) where he provided a very broad and detailed look at the discipline of UX. Topics include an intro to UX, a UX design roadmap, UX basic principles, the importance of UX in various industries, the role of a UX designer, and a career scope. Enjoy! REMINDER: Video is available for t...

This week, enjoy a 2022 interview with Darren by Brendan Jarvis of Brave UX. During this session, following a little personal banter, Darren addresses several topics, including how UX bootcamps and courses impacting the field, why it's important to know the history of UX, what's driving people to declare imposter syndrome, the impact of popularization on today's design practices, and w...

In this 2024 interview from the Talk Circuit series, the folks at Zeplin take time to speak with Darren about where he draws his inspiration, his thoughts about the most in-demand skills for UXers, what he thinks the future of design-to-dev looks like, and his thoughts about artificial intelligence. Check out this very candid convo. REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resource...

UX isn’t about aesthetics—it’s about responsibility. In this episode from the Talk Circuit series and the Human Factors International 2025 UX Conference, Darren talks about the deep ethical responsibilities that come with being a UX professional—through the lens of the Hippocratic Oath. From influencing business outcomes to life-and-death decisions, UX has far-reaching consequences. Check it out!...

Originally delivered for UX South Africa in 2021) UX has been in the mainstream for 20+ years. One would think its understanding would be more widespread, but several factors have limited mass UX maturity. To complicate matters further, many people feel UX is a void of standards and unity among top-level practitioners. Is UX undefined? Is UX an enigma? Is the discipline in a tailspin? This talk wi...

Among the current trends in UX design, one of the most critical and foundational elements is being overlooked — information architecture (IA). Serving as the key to findability and task execution, in the midst of UX's rise in the professional world, IA maintains its relevance and importance. This talk will review the evolution of UX, revisiting the core factors associated with IA and rediscove...

Specially selected to share during the Talk Circuit series, this talk was delivered for UX Joburg (Johannesburg, South Africa) in July 2020. In this talk, Darren extends beyond stereotypical mindsets about UX Strategy to present a more holistic approach that benefits UX practices as a whole, the business's UX maturity level, and individual practitioner engagement. It simply isn't enough to...

Analysis of consumer concerns with organizations reveals they are not usually dissatisfied with the entity as a whole, but about very brief segments or elements within the experience. These small parts of the customer experience are known as microexperiences. An organization's sensitivity and ability to manage microexperiences is a critical ingredient for success. This talk will focus on strat...

This talk, presented at the 2016 UX Link Conference for Recruiters, was designed to provide insights to help provide a solid foundation and improve skills related to filling UX openings. Though presented in 2016, the elements addressed in the video still ring true today. Looking to improve your UX candidate evaluation skills? This video is for you. https://link.kaizenux.design/woux257 REMINDER: Vi...

The world of UX has become increasingly difficult to navigate for companies and individuals alike. Companies have trouble finding qualified candidates and those seeking employment have trouble finding a good fit. Trying to navigate these spaces is like attempting to steer a boat in a whirlpool. This talk from Darren's conference archives presents insights for both sides of the spectrum, identi...

In this new installment of the Ask My Anything series, Darren entertains guests Maigen Thomas and Yaddy Arroyo as they present candid questions for Darren's review. Tune in for this direct, energetic, and enlightening discussion to hear about how to dissect the world of UX mentoring and the importance of self-awareness for UX advancement. REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via selec...

This week's episode features a "talkin' shop" session with Dr. Noah Schaffer, VP of Advanced UX with Human Factors International. You don't want to miss this extremely insightful conversation where Darren and Dr. Noah spend time addressing key topics associated with the discipline #ux #podcasts #cxofmradio #cxofm #realuxtalk #worldofux #worldoux Visit Human Factors Internationa...

You’ve started your UX career. You’re either seeking or landing your first gig. You’re engaged in the day-to-day operations at work, but some big questions still loom. Where do you go from here? Which skills are most important? These are common questions among those getting started in UX. In this talk, Darren will build on a previous talk (The UX Cycle of Excellence), providing more critical info...

One of the most common factors considered when someone applies for a job entails the design process one uses on their projects. It’s sought in portfolios and discussed during the interview. Many companies even use experience with design processes as a differentiator, basing hiring decisions upon the breadth and types used. In truth, however, many such queries are worth as much as asking someone ab...

This week, Darren shares a talk he delivered in 2021 for UXTalks in India, focusing on The Four Pillars of UX: Heuristics and usability, information architecture, UX research, and interaction and interface design. Enjoy! REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources. #ux #podcasts #cxofmradio #cxofm #realuxtalk #worldofux #worldoux #fourpillarsofux #heuristics #usability #info...

In this UX Potpourri session, Darren shares takes time to talk about "time-boxed" presentations, sheds additional light on gatekeeping, and shares some tips on time management. REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources. #ux #podcasts #cxofmradio #cxofm #realuxtalk #worldofux #worldoux #potpourri #gatekeeping #timemanagement Bookmark the new World of UX website at h...

In this new and extended installment of the Ask My Anything series, Darren entertains guests Ray Butler and Mary Shamburger as they present candid questions for Darren's review. Tune in for this direct, energetic, and enlightening discussion to hear about key skills for UXers and various types of challenges for UXers REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources. #ux #podc...

This week, Darren shares his talk from the 2024 Global CXM 360° Virtual Conference at Michigan State University, focusing on the benefits and potential impact available through leveraging a SWOT analysis for UX efforts. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this UX Potpourri session, Darren shares his thoughts about the World Economic Forum's recent jobs report, some Nielsen-Norman Group commentary about artificial intelligence, and a highlighted book recommendation. Check out this condensed episode for the insights! REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources. #ux #podcasts #cxofmradio #cxofm #realuxtalk #worldofux #wor...