IxDA Hampton Roads (UX/UI Research & Design)

Alert! 🚨 Public Service Announcement: Stop implementing cool new technology (ie AI) for the sake of just having it. We’re looking at you companies with unnecessary AI chatbots 👀 While AI can transform the user experience, it can only do so if it’s done with the right intention. But too many recent AI features miss the mark, focusing on novelty rather than user value. As UX professionals, our challenge is to ensure AI features solve real problems not just to sit there looking pretty. If you are thinking about creating an AI tool remember that you aren’t exempt from conducting research with your users. Just because AI is a shiny new tool doesn’t bypass the need for understanding users and their needs. For all you know, a new AI feature might not be the best solution to their problems. Check out Kate Moran's article for more: https://bit.ly/3ZD9yES #UXDesign #UserExperience #AIinDesign #UserValue #DesignPrinciples #AIandUX

Want to level up your charisma? Try these two moves, slick 😏 Two unconventional ways to sharpen your social edge: 1. Take Improv Classes.     Yes, improv. Stick with me, here. Improv is like catching a hot potato — someone throws you an idea, and you’ve got to do something with it on the spot 😵 The first few classes? Expect to feel embarrassed. A lot. But then, something shifts. You crack a joke, the room chuckles, and suddenly you’re in the flow. Keep showing up, and you’ll learn to navigate rapid-fire exchanges with ease. Whether it’s a debate with a work colleague or bar banter, you’ll feel primed for whatever curveball comes your way. 2. Practice in the Park. Seriously. Head to your local park, find a quiet-ish corner, and treat it like the main stage. Your audience? Squirrels, joggers, maybe a toddler staring from a stroller. Use it to: • Project your voice. • Nail your pacing. • Play with inflection. Rehearse until it’s boring. Why? Because when it’s second nature in practice, it’ll feel effortless in real life. And when that high-stakes moment comes, you’ll cruise through it like it’s just another day at the park. Charisma isn’t magic — it’s prep & lots of practice. Put in the reps and you’ll carry yourself with confidence, no matter the crowd 😉

As always, this is insightful and couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Every designer in the industry is feeling the effects of a rolling change. I’m looking forward to 2025 and will remain hopeful for the practice/discipline I love so much.

The Top 10 NN/g UX Articles of 2024 are here! 📢✨ In 2024, we published over 90 insightful pieces covering topics from AI to design systems. Here are your favorites, starting with 10-6: 🔟 Design Systems vs. Style Guides by Kelley Gordon https://bit.ly/3BpCfgE 9️⃣ Comparison Tables for Products, Services, and Features by Kate Moran & Taylor Dykes https://bit.ly/3Dge7xC 8️⃣ Menu-Design Checklist: 17 UX Guidelines by Page Laubheimer https://bit.ly/4gggy1Q 7️⃣ NN/g’s Free UX Templates and Guides curated by Anna Kaley https://bit.ly/4feQkeD 6️⃣ Homepage Design: 5 Fundamental Principles by Huei-Hsin Wang https://bit.ly/3ZRxshk What do you think made the top 5? Drop your guesses in the comments and stay tuned—we reveal them tomorrow! 👀 #UXDesign #Top10UX #UserExperience #UXWrapped #SpotifyWrapped #Wrapped

The State of UX in 2025: a love letter about change https://buff.ly/4fQvJ1b #design #AI

Imagine you’re looking at a concert photo on your phone and want to see the performer more clearly. What do you do? You might pinch to zoom in. This is Direct Manipulation (DM) in action. DM allows users to act on objects directly, using physical, incremental, and reversible actions with instant on-screen results. While DM is common, it’s not always the best fit. Here’s what to keep in mind when designing with DM: → Screen Space Constraints: Direct manipulation needs ample visible space for users to interact comfortably, which can be tricky on smaller screens. → Repetitive Actions: Frequent dragging or tapping can lead to user fatigue. Consider shortcuts for repetitive tasks or options for more experienced users. → Accessibility Challenges: DM UIs can fall short for users with visual or motor impairments, especially if they rely heavily on gestures rather than buttons or menus. Workarounds exist, but they can be challenging to implement effectively. As designers, understanding these limitations helps us balance DM’s advantages with potential drawbacks to create effective, user-centered interfaces. Read more from Samyukta Sherugar and Raluca Budiu: https://bit.ly/3CNeKOT #UXDesign #DirectManipulation #Usability #InteractionDesign #UserExperience #DesignChallenges