Practical UX: Methods, Research, and Design Thinking
Practical UX: Methods, Research, and Design Thinking is a podcast for professionals and students who want to move past theory and use real-world user experience practices. Each episode covers tools, methods, and mindsets that shape strong design, including user research, design thinking, usability testing, prototyping, and product design strategy. Dr Parker talks with UX leaders, researchers, and designers who share practical insights you can use in your own work.
Episodes
Beyond UX: Finding the North Star That Transforms Businesses (with Peter Kotsonis)
What if UX could do more than improve products — what if it could realign entire organisations?In this episode, Peter Kotsonis shares how uncovering a clear “North Star” can turn customer insight into strategic direction, connect teams across silos, and reveal opportunities most businesses miss.
Closing the Loop: How Systems Thinking Transforms UX and Design Practice
In this episode of Practical UX , we explore how systems thinking can help designers solve complex problems and create more sustainable, impactful solutions.Our guest is Sheryl Cababa, author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers — a must-read guide for anyone who wants to connect design thinking with real-world systems.We discuss:How systems thinking can improve UX design, service d
Success in Design and Sprint Culture | with Douglas Ferguson
In this episode of Practical UX Methods: Research and Design Thinking, host Dr Chris Parker sits down with Douglas Ferguson — entrepreneur, human-centered technologist, and president of Voltage Control, an Austin-based agency known for its Design Sprints and innovation workshops.Douglas shares actionable insights from his book Beyond The Prototype, revealing six practical steps to move from idea d
UX Research Review: How the Next Generation of UX Designs for Trust, Emotion, and Connection
Host: Dr Chris ParkerEmail: c.parker@lboro.ac.ukIn this episode of Practical UX, we go beyond buttons and screens to explore what’s next for user experience: trustworthy AI, physiological synchrony in social VR, foldable device ergonomics, designing for the moments after a crash, and a bold provocation to design for human connection, not screen time.Why explainable AI changes user behaviour by imp
Interviewing Users, Evolving UX — with Steve Portigal
Practical UX kicks off with Steve Portigal, author of Interviewing Users (2nd ed.). We dig into why solid research sometimes says “don’t ship,” how the practice has matured (ops, leadership, insourcing), and why there’s no one “right way”—just better questions, synthesis, and confidence. Plus, Steve’s take on the future of research and a reminder to listen to ourselves. Follow and subscribe for mo
The Hiatus is Over!
The UX Usability podcast returns after a prolonged hiatus. Dr Chris Parker talks about the show, its future, UX's role in the world around us, and life as an academic.
Irene Pereyra: Universal Principles of UX
In the latest episode of The UX Usability Podcast, host Dr. Chris Parker from Loughborough University engages in an enlightening conversation with renowned author Irene Pereyra. The spotlight of this episode is Irene's latest masterpiece, "Universal Principles of UX." This groundbreaking book unveils the secrets to mastering the intricate art of user experience (UX) design.
Irene Pereyra's book is
[BONUS] Chris on the Lazy Marketing Hour!
The Lazy Marketing Hour @YouTube
Karl Randay - Design for Consumer Experience
We talk with Karl Randay: Product Designer, Human Centred Design advocate, and currently Head of Design for Customer Experience Studio 383. He's worked in fashion and global leisure brands, healthcare, and the energy sector with over 20 years of experience, developing a deep understanding of designing for human behaviour. We discuss crafting authentic experiences, services, and products that make
Gaurav Sharma - Taking a Masters in UX Design
Dr Parker talks with Gaurav Sharma about returning to his Masters in UX Design, international design, and life as a UX Designer at The Economist.
Loughborough University UX Design Courses
MA: UX and Service Design
MSc: User Experience Design
Frank Spillers - VR Design and UX
Virtual Reality (VR) is one of User Experience Design (UX)'s most exciting and challenging areas. This week, Frank Spillers, CEO and founder of Experience Dynamics shares his thoughts and approaches to designing engaging and meaningful experiences within the virtual world.
Frank Spillers CEO and Founder
Desk +1 503 978 9183 x100
Mobile +1 503 702 3608
Experience Dynamics- a Top 1000 Global Desi
Dani Sampson - Design Strategy and Philosophy
Dani Sampson (freelance Brand Strategist) talks about the experience of design, what makes agencies work well, and creating powerful identities beyond UX.
Connect with Dani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-sampson-37290959/
Explore Roam for yourself: https://exploreroam.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/explore.roam/
Sarah Doody - UX Portfolios, Careers, and Mindfulness
Dr Chris Parker returns for Season Four of the UX Usability Podcast. We kick off in conversation with Sarah Doody about her trailblazing work shaping UX designers' career strategies, portfolios, and ways of working.
Discover Sarah's Career Strategy Lab at: https://www.uxportfolioformula.com/
Season 4 (Coming Soon)
Subscribe to hear Season 4 of the UX Usability Podcast as soon as it launches.
The Future of Design Education | Cees de Bont (Dean of Loughborough School of Design and Creative Arts)
Cees de Bont (Dean of the School of Design and Creative Arts at Loughborough University) discusses his career inventing the Senseo coffee machine at Philips, managing design at Delft, and leading Design at Hong Kong University. We explore why emotion and dedication are essential skills in success and touching to hearts of others.
South Africa's Powerful Human-Centred Design | With Keneilwe Munyai (African Design Thinking)
Dr Keneilwe Munyai describes her journey through fashion, design, and sustainability. We discover what a small Italian leather tanner has to offer African sustainability and the power of resilience.
Connect with Dr Parker
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchrisparker/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ChrisUXD
EMAIL: c.parker@lboro.ac.uk
Reinventing Design at IBM | with Karel Vredenburg (Director, Global Design Leadership at IBM)
Discover Enterprise Design Thinking: https://www.ibm.com/design/
Dr Parker sits down with the incredible Karel Vredenburg (IBM) to discuss design education, enterprise design thinking, and the role designers have in a more responsible future.
Connect with Dr Parker
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ChrisUXD
EMAIL: c.parker@lboro.ac.uk
The Future of Ethnography | With Eugene Murphy (Indeemo)
Dr Parker and Eugene Murphy discuss how Indeemo is revolutionising ethnography and diary studies for Design Research, why emotions are critical, and the future of technology.
Check out Indeemo: https://indeemo.com/
Follow Dr Parker via
Twitter: @ChrisUXD
Clubhouse: @ChrisUX
A new form of Design beyond Design Thinking | With Abhijeet Shukla (UX Designer, Tata Design Consultancy, Mumbai))
Dr Parker talks with Abhijeet Shukla, UX Designer at Tata Design Consultancy Services (Mumbai), about his work beyond design thinking, working effectively in business, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in design.
Read more about PSAV design method:
Application of PSAV method in interaction steps optimization for user experience design
International Journal of Advanced Research, Ideas and Innovation
Netflix Product Design and Inspiring Africa's New Designers | With Mariam Braimah (Netflix and Kimoyo Fellowship)
Dr Parker sits down with Mariam Braimah, product designer at Netflix and founder of the Kimoyo Fellowship to talk about creativity, inspiration, and Nigeria's stunning creative culture.
Visit The Kimoyo Fellowship https://www.kimoyofellowship.org/
Kimoyo Fellowship's Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimoyofellows
Mariam's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbraimah_
How to Design Augmented Reality Retail Apps | With Liangchao Xue (Loughborough University)
Dr Chris Parker and Liangchao Xue discuss how to design Augmented Reality apps for fashion retail based on her award-winning PhD research.
Presentation slides: https://doi.org/10.17028/rd.lboro.13560320.v1
Read Liangchao's publications: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=P1d1sUkAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Liangchao on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liangchao-xue/
Psychology Essentials for UX Design | With Hellen Pitikaris (Morefire GmbH)
Dr Chris Parker and Hellen Pitikaris - Head of Conversion Rate-Optimierung & User Experience at Morefire GmbH - talk about the fundamentals of psychology that guide her in crafting excellent user experiences.
FREE eBook - The Scientific Foundation of the Limbic Approach: https://digital-commerce.post.ch/-/media/post-maxisites/e-commerce/dokumente/The-scientific-foundation-of-the-Limbic-approach.pd
What Makes An Effective UX Consultant? | With Bunnyfoot's Cathy Carr and Pete Underwood
Dr Parker chats with UX Design Consultants Pete Underwood and Cathy Carr about how they work as UX Designers in one of the UK's leading design agencies: Bunnyfoot.
Connect with Bunnyfoot: https://www.bunnyfoot.com/
Design Research and Consultancy Skills | With Frances Brown
Connect with Frances Brown CEO at Nightingale Design Research: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-brown-b5922356/
Nightingale Design Research: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nightingaledesignresearch/
Top Tasks, Priotisisation, and 5G | With Gerry McGovern
Find Gerry's book - Top Tasks - here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1916444601?pf_rd_r=JFSFFGCWKEDECGV2DT2P&pf_rd_p=e632fea2-678f-4848-9a97-bcecda59cb4e
UX Design in the Insurance Industry | With Heidi Smith
We sit down with Senior UX Designer Heidi Smith (of Aviva) to talk about UX Design within the insurance industry, her passions, the future UX design, and thematic analysis's role as a key design skill.
Follow Us Online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UserGenDesign
YouTube: youtube.com/designelearningtutorials
Essential UX Skills, Accessability, and Effective UX Design | with Lou Oakham: UX Designer
User Experience Designer Lou Oakham speaks with Chris Parker about working as a UX Designer, Accessibility, and the skills designers learn at university Vs. in the workplace.
Twitter: @UserGenDesign
YouTube: Design eLearning Tutorials
Designing the Advertising Experience - with Grace Francis of Droga5
Connect with Grace Francis via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graciefrancis/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UserGenDesign
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/designelearningtutorials
Life as a UX Design Consultant (With Marg Laing)
Connect with Marg via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marglaing/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UserGenDesign
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/designelearningtutorials
TRANSCRIPT
Lessons from a young UX Designer (with Szymon Trzepla)
Szymon is a UX Designer for Alior Bank SA, podcaster for UX po Godzinach, and recent graduate from Loughborough University. In tonight's conversation, we discuss starting out as a young UX designer, the post-COVID world, and starting a podcast to share his passion.
Listen to Szymon's podcast UX po Godzinach: https://anchor.fm/ux-po-godzinach
UX Design's Essential Skills [From UX Crunch]
Watch the video presentation: https://youtu.be/WBtBg-LqY5o
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UserGenDesign
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/designelearningtutorials
Research: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=oQbSNL8AAAAJ&hl=en
Success in Design and Sprint Culture (With Douglas Ferguson)
Douglas Ferguson is an entrepreneur, human-centred technologist, and president of Voltage Control - an Austin-based workshop agency that specialises in Design Sprints and innovation workshops. Douglas’s recent book Beyond The Prototype offers six clear steps to shift from idea discovery to product launch.
In tonight’s conversation, we discuss the greatest life lessons in design, secrets to success
Special Announcement: Live Webinar with UX Crunch [April 15th 2020]
Junior UX Crunch at Home: https://www.bigmarker.com/tech-circus-tv/Junior-UX-Crunch-at-Home-Usability-Testing
TRANSCRIPT
Hello and welcome to the UX Usability Podcast.
I am Dr Chris Parker, and this is not your standard episode.
The coronavirus has touched everyone in the world, and has changed the way we work, forever.
The other week I thought I would start a series of bonus episodes between se
How UX Design Can Fight Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Medical Advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Why Hand Sanitiser is useless against viruses: https://aem.asm.org/content/76/2/394.short
Dr Parker, in this Extra episode between seasons, covers UX Design's role in helping the public understand and deal with COVID-19.
We are not doctors, we are UX designers. Designers are powerful communicators. The pu
When to Apply Usability Testing [End of Season 1]
What research methods do you use at each design stage? In this last episode of Season 1, we find out!
How Many Users Do I Need For Testing?
Book: The Tao of Statistics: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/148337792X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=148337792X&linkCode=as2&tag=usergendesign-21&linkId=8fb6b7d0be4a43404a9b0be10851f26a
Making a Business Case for UX Usability Designs
youtube.com/designelearningtutorials
Reviewing 2019: Usability's Evolution
A look back at usability's evolution through 2019: the methods, approaches, and developments to use in 2020.
Using Dark UX for Great User Experiences
How to create great user experiences with dark UX?
Psychology and UI Design: An introduction
Learning from Dark UX [Extra]
A short perspective on what we can learn from Dark UX patterns as UX Designers.
Why do UX Designers Need Psychology?
[Book] Cognitive Psychology for Dummies
How To Design Perfect Website Navigation
Why is navigation important? How do you create a website and app navigation that is perfect for your users? In this episode of the Usability podcast, we find out.
[Book] Top Tasks: View On Amazon
How to conduct usability tests
How do you run a professional usability assessment?
Dr Chris Parker's Publications: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=oQbSNL8AAAAJ&hl=en
Twitter: @UserGenDesign
YouTube: Design eLearning Tutorials
Using Think Aloud to Understand Satisfaction
How can users thinking aloud while using your product help drive the redesign of more satisfying interfaces? Today, we find out.
How to Measure and Analyse Satisfaction (Metrics)
Usability Scales: LINK
Statistics Tutorials: LINK
The Tao of Statistics: LINK
Heuristics for Usability and Accessibility
How to think about Nielsen’s heuristics and WCAG 2.1
Design eLearning Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/user/FashionManchester
Dr Chris Parker's research: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=oQbSNL8AAAAJ&hl=en
What is Usability?
What is Usability and how must UX designers think about it in the future? To find the answer I interview Dr Martin Maguire of Loughborough University's School of Design and Creative Art.
Dr Maguire's academic papers: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=FCZ_GjgAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra
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