Welcome to UX Musings! Post #1: Reflections On The Current State of UX & The World
As I sit down to write the inaugural post for UX Musings, I'm struck by the swirling mix of excitement and anxiety that defines my current relationship with both the world and the field of UX design. The landscape feels volatile, not just politically or socially, but within our own design ecosystems. This tension is both a source of creative energy and a trigger for existential reflection.
Speaking of existential reflection, let's rewind to last September when I finally left my soul-sucking corporate job.
Picture this: a boys club, with endless bureaucratic whiplash, and daily drama that felt like Groundhog Day with more teeth pulling charm. That decision was both terrifying and liberating, but it sparked a realization—much like in UX, breaking out of rigid systems often leads to genuine growth.
In many ways, UX design is experiencing a paradox currently. On one hand, we're seeing unprecedented advancements—AI-driven personalization, seamless cross-platform experiences, and the rise of design systems that promise consistency and efficiency. On the other, there's a growing disconnect. Products are becoming more sophisticated, but are they becoming more humane? The algorithms are smarter, but are they more empathetic? We're optimizing for engagement, but are we nurturing well-being?
Pattern recognition is at the core of what we do as designers. We identify behaviors, synthesize data, and craft experiences that resonate.
Yet, the patterns I'm noticing lately are unsettling. There's an over-reliance on metrics that favor short-term gains and profit over long-term value and harm reduction. Design systems are celebrated for their scalability, but often at the expense of genuine user connection.
And then there's the rush to deliver the MVP. Oh, the MVP—the Minimum Viable Product, or as I like to call it, Mostly Vague Piece of Shit.
In the race to launch something, anything, we often sacrifice depth and novelty for speed. MVPs are supposed to be about learning quickly, but when did "viable" start meaning "just barely functional"? Instead of thoughtful iterations, we're left patching holes in products that were never given the chance to be whole. It's like trying to bake a cake, pulling it out half-baked, and saying, "It’s fine, we'll frost over the raw parts." Those of you that know me, know that that was a pretty vanilla version of my true thoughts about agile and MVP based software development.
This dissonance gives me pretty constant anxiety. It's the kind of low-grade hum that underpins my work, a persistent question: Are we designing for people, or are we designing for systems that just make people money? The answer should be obvious, but the reality is murkier.
However, amidst this unease, there's also hope (no pun intended). The same tools that can alienate can also connect. The same systems that feel rigid can be reimagined. Human-centered policy, thoughtful design systems, and a commitment to ethical UX practices are not just ideals—they're necessities.
UX Musings will be my space to explore these tensions, reflect on the patterns I see, and hopefully spark conversations that matter. I don’t have all the answers, but I believe in the power of asking better questions.
Here’s to the journey and sharing even though it’s uncomfortable.
What do you think? Have you experienced similar tensions in your design work? How do you balance the pressure to deliver quickly with the need for thoughtful, user-centered design? And what patterns are you noticing in your own practice that give you hope—or anxiety?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and start a conversation in the comments below.