The World of UX with Dr Darren Hood

In Part 19 of the Sinister series, Darren engages in a few observational and constructive rants about today's UX operation. Topics covered include but are not limited to such things as misdirection with the isms, folks who view accessibility as nothing more than a buzzword, predatory mentoring, people claiming to speak on behalf of the entire design community, and more. Tune in for the latest...

In the return to the Sinister series, Darren presents an "interlude," where he provides some insights derived from his personal journey in UX, coupled with a high-level view of the discipline's history. Via this look, Darren tracks and discusses the freefall of UX, when it began, and what it means for those dedicated to the proper representation of the discipline. Check out the new Wor...

In this special episode, Darren holds an extended conversation with his guest, Justin Ranton — Principal of Blkhōl Design Studio in Seattle, Washington. Justin provides insights about his transition into design freelancing, the keys to running a successful freelance business, how to find clients, and the connection between sales and UX work. Tune in for this extremely insightful session. Check out...

As a segue from the Sinister series, Darren holds a conversation with three mid-level UX professionals — Prachi Abhyankar, Christanna Hemmingway, and Andy Shaffer. Tune in as the group spends time discussing a few hot topics associated with the discipline. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcast...

In this episode of Sinister coverage, Darren enters the homestretch of this series. This week, he focuses on the deceitfulness of cancel culture in UX, covering several examples, topics, and the impact they're having on the discipline. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxof...

In this episode of Sinister coverage, Darren covers items 53 through 61 from the list of traits at work in today's world of UX. He also revisits two of the topics covered in previous episodes. Enjoy! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#sini...

In this episode of Sinister coverage, Darren focuses solely on factors associated with UX education — both formal and informal. Tune in for the deets! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#worldoux#sinisterUX#uxeducation Advertising Inquiries: https://red...

In this return to the Sinister series, Darren resumes coverage focusing on such topics as UX contests, obscure personal UX status symbols, the 'give people a chance' mentality, overlooked realities of blocking, self-imposed pity parties, the responsibility of being an ambassador, and the ridiculous nature of viral UX social media posts. Ready for some major truth bombs? Check out this epis...

This week, Darren talks shop with Tushar Deshmukh, the founder and CEO of UXExpert, UXUITrainingLab Pvt. Ltd., UXTalks and InnovaateU. In addition to the standard Talkin' Shop intro and the guest's background, the duo discusses hot topics in the world of UX such as the high volumes of misinformation today, confusion about UX/UI, and Tushar's UX education resources. Check out the energe...

In this episode, Darren talks shop with Steve Portigal, a noted UX consultant and the author of Interviewing Users: How to Uncover Compelling Insights and Doorbells, Danger, and Dead Batteries: User Research War Stories.  During the session, Steve also provided a discount code for his book when purchased through Rosenfeld Media. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Vi...

In this lightning round segment of the series, Darren talks about eight different sinister traits at work in today's UX circles highlighted by the overvaluing of design systems and hidden agendas behind some design reviews. Check out the episode for the deets. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux...

In this segment of the "Sinister" series, Darren focuses on traits associated with how UX work is being done today, focusing solely on:- The mindsets and expectations of stakeholders and clients. - The challenges we have to help manage the same. Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#c...

Darren returns to covering the "Sinister" series once again this week, focusing solely on three topics: 1) The epidemic of unqualified critics in UX circles2) The dangers of and some traits associated with making faux connections on social media3) Under-the-radar displacement activities of senior UXers. Enjoy! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX...

Today's episode is another combo session. This time, Darren addresses some sinister elements associated with UX portfolios, but from a potpourri-oriented perspective. Ready for some truth bombs about portfolios? Tune in to hear Darren's take! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxof...

Today's episode is a combination of the current series on the sinister activities at work in UX today and the standard potpourri segments. In this session, Darren talk about the sinister nature of LinkedIn's Top Voices award, the power of secondary research, the backlash to his recent design thinking post, and the large volumes of people in UX circles on social media who defy and contradic...

Piggybacking on last week's episode, Darren takes time to provide a list of tips (to address the most common things he's seen when reviewing portfolios). Tune in to review Darren's baker's dozen and compare them to what you've deployed in your own portfolio! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.m...

Darren returns to covering the "Sinister" series this week, focusing solely on the popular mindset that says portfolios are the greatest currency of UX professionals. Check out this episode to get his take 😉 Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX Uncensored blog at https://uxuncensored.medium.com. #ux#podcasts#cxofmradio#cxofm#realuxtalk#worldofux#...

This week, Darren presents another UX potpourri segment. In this session, he responds to questions from the UX community, covering such topics as the evolution of UX, something he refers to as the "mobile also" approach to design, and his take on some of the recently published articles by Jakob Nielsen. Enjoy! Check out the new World of UX website at https://www.worldoux.com. Visit the UX...

We're taking another break from the "Sinister" series today, as Darren takes time to talk about some observations about his return to the ranks of full-time employment, including some interviewing stories, evaluating companies, and evaluating leadership. He also takes time to issue a challenge to demonstrate more critical thinking regarding misinformation spreading in UX via social med...

Many feel the UX/UI combo acronym is innocent and the norm in UX circles, though it's anything but. This episode of the Sinister series is dedicated to exposing several dangers and traits associated with the popularity of saying, embracing, and spreading the use of this dreaded expression and the challenges associated with putting it to an end. Want to learn more? Up for the challenge? Check o...

In this episode, Darren continues the coverage of sinister traits at work in today's UX community. He focuses on who and who should not be allowed to participate in the candidate interviewing process, the indirect sanctioning of attacks on true UX seniors, the spreading and embracing of the UX bogeyman mindset, and the overwhelming presence of coddlers and their impact. Tune in for the deets!...

In the return to the sinister UX culture exposé, Darren sheds much needed light on such topics as today's UXers being gaslit about the state of the discipline, misguided hiring expectations, misappropriation of skill levels, interview sabotage, premature promotions, downplaying the importance of fundamentals, and several more. Tune in for a weekly dose of much-needed truth. Check out the new W...

In the conclusion of this Talkin' Shop session with Manisha Bhalekar, we covered a broad range of topics including mentoring, UX and brand equity, Manisha's transition into UX leadership, upgrading one's UX skills, having a healthy AI mindset, today's UX job market, UX appropriation, and the use of the UX/UI combo acronym and the associated dangers. Tune in for the insights! Check...

In the first of a two-part Talkin' Shop session, Darren speaks with Manisha Bhalekar, the Executive Leader of UX Design and Research at Turvo. In addition to learning about Manisha's start and personal journey in UX, the two also talk about the importance of building relationships, understanding and properly defining empathy, the importance of leaders hiring people who are smarter than the...

In this special edition of Talkin' Shop, Darren has a conversation with Dr. Ari Zelmanow, where the duo address several hot topics associated with today's UX climate, including but not limited to the value of UX and the future of UX research. Dr. Ari also shares information about his educational program, "The Influential Researcher." Tune in for this enlightening and enriching segm...