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Design Thinking

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Mashed potatoes as a lifestyle brand? When AI starts generating user personas for absurd products — and we start taking them seriously — it’s time to ask if we’ve all lost the plot. This sharp, irreverent critique exposes the real risks of using LLMs as synthetic users in UX research.

Article by Saul Wyner
Have SpudGun, Will Travel: How AI’s Agreeableness Risks Undermining UX Thinking
  • The article explores the growing use of AI-generated personas in UX research and why it’s often a shortcut with serious flaws.
  • It introduces critiques that LLMs are trained to mimic structure, not judgment. When researchers use AI as a stand-in for real users, they risk mistaking coherence for credibility and fantasy for data.
  • The piece argues that AI tools in UX should be assistants, not oracles. Trusting “synthetic users” or AI-conjured feedback risks replacing real insights with confident nonsense.
Share:Have SpudGun, Will Travel: How AI’s Agreeableness Risks Undermining UX Thinking
22 min read

“Design is dead”? No, you just never understood it. This bold piece calls out lazy hot takes, holds designers accountable, and makes a sharp case for what design really is (and isn’t) in the age of AI.

Article by Nate Schloesser
Design Isn’t Dead. You Sound Dumb
  • The article challenges the claim that “design is dead,” blaming both outsiders and designers for misunderstanding or misrepresenting the field.
  • It argues that AI threatens only superficial design, not true design, and calls for a more mature, collaborative mindset.
Share:Design Isn’t Dead. You Sound Dumb
6 min read

Design systems were meant to streamline design and boost creativity — so why do they often do the opposite?

Article by Itai Vonshak
The Broken Promises of Design Systems: Why Following the Rules Won’t Get You to Great Products
  • The article questions whether design systems really help create better products.
  • It explains how they often limit creativity, are hard to maintain, and don’t scale well.
  • It suggests we need more flexible, AI-powered tools to support great design.
Share:The Broken Promises of Design Systems: Why Following the Rules Won’t Get You to Great Products
3 min read

Consistency in UI/UX builds trust and efficiency — without it, users feel lost. Learn how top brands maintain it and how AI can help.

Article by Rodolpho Henrique
Consistency in UI/UX Design: The Key to User Satisfaction
  • The article examines the role of consistency in UI/UX design for user trust and efficiency.
  • It showcases visual, functional, and interaction consistency in creating seamless experiences.
  • The piece warns about the negative effects of inconsistency, including confusion and frustration.
  • It promotes the use of AI and design systems to ensure consistency across digital platforms.
Share:Consistency in UI/UX Design: The Key to User Satisfaction
4 min read

Unlock the secret to truly innovative UX by looking beyond the screen. This article reveals how inspiration from architecture, nature, and physical design can elevate your digital creations, making them more intuitive, user-centered, and creatively inspired. Step outside the digital world to spark new ideas and transform your UX design process.

Article by Rodolpho Henrique
The Secret to Innovative UX: Look Beyond the Digital World
  • The article explores how UX designers can draw inspiration from the analog world, including architecture, nature, and physical product design, to innovate digital experiences.
  • It highlights key design principles such as ergonomics, affordances, and wayfinding that can enhance digital interfaces.
  • The piece emphasizes the importance of stepping beyond the screen to foster creativity, prevent burnout, and create user-centered designs that feel natural and intuitive.
Share:The Secret to Innovative UX: Look Beyond the Digital World
5 min read

Publishing in HCI and design research can feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers. This guide breaks down the process — from choosing the right venue to writing, submitting, and handling revisions. Whether you’re aiming for conferences or journals, learn key strategies to navigate academic publishing with confidence.

Article by Malak Sadek
A Guide to Publishing Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Design Research Papers
  • The article provides a guide to publishing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and design research, sharing insights from the author’s PhD experience.
  • It explains the significance of publishing in academia and industry, offering an overview of peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
  • It breaks down the two main types of papers — review and empirical — detailing their structures and acceptance criteria.
  • The piece emphasizes strategic research planning, collaboration, and selecting the right venue for submission.
  • The piece also outlines practical steps for writing, revising, and handling rejections, encouraging persistence and learning from reviewer feedback to improve publication success.
Share:A Guide to Publishing Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Design Research Papers
8 min read

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