Top UX Voices to Follow in 2024: Expanding Your Horizons in User Experience Design
As we navigate through 2024, the ever-evolving field of User Experience (UX) design continues to offer new challenges and opportunities. Staying updated with industry insights and trends is crucial for anyone in the UX field, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Following thought leaders in UX can provide valuable guidance, inspiration, and practical advice. Here, we delve into the profiles of some top UX influencers you should be following and why their contributions matter.
1. Cory Lebson 📚👨🏫
Owner of Lebsontech LLC and Author of ‘The UX Careers Handbook’
Cory Lebson has over two decades of experience in UX and provides extensive knowledge on UX careers and user research. His book, “The UX Careers Handbook,” is a must-read for anyone looking to navigate and advance in the UX field. Cory’s blog posts and LinkedIn updates are rich with insights into usability, research methodologies, and career advice. Following him can help you understand the nuances of UX careers and keep abreast of the latest research techniques.
2. Jared Spool 🔍💡
Founder of User Interface Engineering
Jared Spool is a pioneer in usability research and a thought leader in the UX community. His company, User Interface Engineering, is one of the largest usability research organizations globally. Jared’s strategic insights and practical advice on UX are invaluable for understanding user behavior and improving product designs. His talks and articles cover a wide range of topics, from usability testing to user-centered design principles.
3. Julie Zhuo 📐👩💼
Co-founder of Sundial and Former VP of Design at Facebook
Julie Zhuo offers profound insights on product design and leadership. As a co-founder of Sundial, she focuses on empowering organizations to make better, data-driven decisions. Julie’s experience at Facebook, where she led design teams, provides her with a unique perspective on managing design processes and scaling products. Her book, “The Making of a Manager,” and her Medium essays are excellent resources for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills in design.
4. Sarah Doody ✨📖
Founder and CEO of Career Strategy Lab
Sarah Doody is known for her expertise in UX career development and storytelling in design. Through her Career Strategy Lab, she helps UX professionals build successful careers. Sarah’s approach to UX combines research with storytelling to create compelling user experiences. Her LinkedIn posts and articles offer practical advice on portfolio building, job interviews, and career progression in UX.
5. Katie Dill 🚀👩🏫
Head of Design at Stripe
Katie Dill’s experience spans innovative design strategies and team leadership. As the Head of Design at Stripe and former Director of Experience Design at Airbnb, Katie has played pivotal roles in shaping user experiences at major tech companies. Her insights on design thinking and leadership are invaluable for anyone looking to drive innovation in their work.
6. Elizabeth Churchill 🧠🤖
Director of UX at Google
Elizabeth Churchill combines cognitive science and AI to enhance user experiences. With an extensive background in research science, psychology, and human-computer interaction, Elizabeth’s work at Google focuses on creating user-friendly digital tools. Her research publications and conference talks provide deep insights into the intersection of cognitive science and UX design.
Elizabeth Churchill on LinkedIn
7. Jan Ahrend 📰🔬
UX Research Lead at YouTube Channel Memberships
Jan Ahrend is a leading voice in UX research, known for curating the UserWeekly newsletter. His expertise in user research methodologies and his role at YouTube make him a valuable source of information on the latest trends and best practices in UX research. Following Jan can help you stay updated on the newest developments in the field.
8. Harrison Wheeler 🏢💬
Senior Design Manager at LinkedIn
Harrison Wheeler shares his thoughts on design leadership and management, offering valuable insights into the challenges and strategies of leading design teams. His LinkedIn posts often reflect on themes like curiosity, humility, and risk-taking in design leadership, providing a nuanced view of what it takes to manage and inspire a design team.
9. Ioana Teleanu 📚🎓
Founder of UX Goodies
Ioana Teleanu is known for her educational content and engaging discussions on UX design. Through her platform, UX Goodies, she shares tips, tutorials, and insights that are particularly useful for those new to UX design. Her approachable style and clear explanations make complex UX concepts accessible to a wider audience.
10. Jake Burghardt 🧩📊
Consultant at IntegratingResearch.com
Jake Burghardt focuses on UX research and product management. His work involves integrating research insights into product development processes to create user-centered designs. Jake’s consultancy offers practical advice on how to effectively use research to inform product decisions, making his content highly relevant for UX professionals involved in product development.
11. Jennifer Romano, PhD 🧪🗣️
Design Research Advisor and Consultant
Jennifer Romano is an award-winning UX research leader with experience at Google, Facebook, and Instagram. She founded UXR Coach to help people grow as UX researchers through workshops, courses, and coaching. Jennifer’s extensive background in experimental psychology and her practical approach to UX research make her a vital resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of user behavior and research methodologies.
Why Following UX Leaders Matters
Having a broad understanding of the industry is essential for staying competitive in the UX field. By following these experts, you can:
- Stay Updated: Get the latest insights and trends in UX design and research.
- Learn from Experience: Gain practical advice from seasoned professionals who have navigated the complexities of UX.
- Network and Collaborate: Engage with a community of like-minded professionals and expand your professional network.
- Enhance Your Skills: Access a wealth of resources, from books and articles to workshops and webinars, to improve your UX skills.
Additional Resources
- UX Design Channels on YouTube: Channels like NNGroup, The Futur, and AJ&Smart provide high-quality content on UX design and research.
- Online Courses and Platforms: Platforms like Coursera, Udacity, and LinkedIn Learning offer comprehensive courses on various aspects of UX design.
- Podcasts: Listen to podcasts like “Presentable” by Jeff Veen and “Honest UX Talks” by Ioana Teleanu and Anfisa Bogomolova for in-depth discussions on UX topics.
- Communities and Forums: Join online communities such as UX Stack Exchange, Designer Hangout, and Reddit’s r/userexperience to discuss ideas and get feedback from peers.
By integrating insights from these influential voices and utilizing these resources, you can enhance your understanding of UX design and stay ahead in your career.
