Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Become a member

Get exclusive access to thought-provoking articles, bonus podcast content, and cutting-edge whitepapers. Become a member of the UX Magazine community today!

Home ›› Agile and Iterative Process ›› In Conversation with Dan Ward

In Conversation with Dan Ward

by Josh Tyson
1 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

We talk with Dan Ward—author of The Simplicity Cycle—about R2D2, design for dentistry, and why simplicity isn’t the point.

Last week, I had the chance to talk with Dan Ward, author of the new book, The Simplicity Cycle: A Field Guide to Making Things Better Without Making Them Worse from HarperCollins.

Dan spent 20 years as an acquisition officer in the US Air Force, leading high-speed, low-cost technology development programs, and The Simplicity Cycle gives designers refreshing perspective on simplicity—something often assumed to be inherently good. As he points out several times in the book: “Simplicity is not the point.” The point is balancing complexity and “goodness.” Among other things, we talk about his book, his military career, and the finer points of sci-fi interface design. (MP3)

The Simplicity Cycle

The Simplicity Cycle diagram from Dan Ward’s book of the same name.

post authorJosh Tyson

Josh Tyson
Josh Tyson is the co-author of the first bestselling book about conversational AI, Age of Invisible Machines. He is also the Director of Creative Content at OneReach.ai and co-host of both the Invisible Machines and N9K podcasts. His writing has appeared in numerous publications over the years, including Chicago Reader, Fast Company, FLAUNT, The New York Times, Observer, SLAP, Stop Smiling, Thrasher, and Westword. 

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Related Articles

Usability Tests vs. Focus Groups

  • Design Thinking, Focus Groups, Product Design, Usability Testing, User Experience, UX Design, UX Research

Learn when to talk to users, and when to watch them in order to uncover real insights and design experiences that truly work.

Article by Paivi Salminen
IDEAS IN BRIEF
Usability Tests vs. Focus Groups
  • The article distinguishes between usability tests and focus groups, highlighting their different roles in UX research.
  • It explains that focus groups gather opinions and attitudes, while usability tests observe real user behavior to find design issues.
  • The piece stresses using each method at the right stage to build the right product and ensure a better user experience.
Read Article →
Share
Share:Usability Tests vs. Focus Groups
2 min read

The Power of Interaction Data: Tracking User Behavior in Modern Web Apps

  • Behavioral Analytics, Data Analysis, User Experience, Web Analytics

Explore how interaction data uncovers hidden user-behavior patterns that drive smarter product decisions, better UX, and continuous improvement.

Article by Srikanth R
IDEAS IN BRIEF
The Power of Interaction Data: Tracking User Behavior in Modern Web Apps
  • The article explains how interaction data like clicks, scrolls, and session patterns reveals real user behavior beyond basic analytics.
  • It shows how tools such as heatmaps and session replays turn this data into actionable insights that improve UX and product decisions.
  • The piece emphasizes using behavioral insights responsibly, balancing optimization with user privacy and ethical data practices.
Read Article →
Share
Share:The Power of Interaction Data: Tracking User Behavior in Modern Web Apps
14 min read

Earning the Right to Research: Stakeholder Buy-In and Influence in the AI x UX Era

  • AI in UX, Artificial Intelligence, Design Research, Human-Centered Design, UX Research

Explore how design researchers can earn the trust and buy-in that give studies impact, even as AI shifts how teams work.

Article by Sara Fortier
IDEAS IN BRIEF
Earning the Right to Research: Stakeholder Buy-In and Influence in the AI x UX Era
  • The article emphasizes that synthetic data and AI tools promise speed, but not the alignment or shared purpose that makes design research effective in solving design problems.
  • It asserts that meaningful human-centred design begins with trust and the permission to conduct research properly (i.e., strategically).
  • The piece outlines how to build stakeholder buy-in for design research through practical strategies that build influence piece by piece within an organization.
  • Adapted from the book Design Research Mastery, it offers grounded ways to enable impactful user studies in today’s AI-driven landscape.
Read Article →
Share
Share:Earning the Right to Research: Stakeholder Buy-In and Influence in the AI x UX Era
12 min read
✕

Join the UX Magazine community!

Stay informed with exclusive content on the intersection of UX, AI agents, and agentic automation—essential reading for future-focused professionals.

Hello!

You're officially a member of the UX Magazine Community.
We're excited to have you with us!

Thank you!

To begin viewing member content, please verify your email.

✕

Get Paid to Test AI Products

Earn an average of $100 per test by reviewing AI-first product experiences and sharing your feedback.

    Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

      ✕

      This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and

      Accept policy