Shows
UX PursuitClaire Sontra | Interaction Designer & Karen Wang | UX ResearcherTo cap off season one Karen Wang, a UX Researcher, and Claire Sontra, an Interaction Designer join me to share a little bit of their journey, discuss the differences and similarities of working in-house vs. in a consultancy, and answer some common questions from folks trying to get into UX. This episode is jam packed with tons of great information and advice and well worth a full listen.
TOPICS AND QUESTIONS COVERED DURING THE DISCUSSION
Working at a Consultancy & Working In-house
What’s different about doing UX Research/Design at a consultancy vs. in-house? Wh...2021-08-161h 21
UX PursuitDylan Moss | Senior Product DesignerDylan has been a “creative” ever since he was a kid making art at his kitchen table and building with Legos. He was even exploring the beginnings of digital design through Microsoft Paint. Now he is a thoughtful product designer working through the immensely complex and ever expanding world of digital design.
In our conversation Dylan talks about his start in print media, how he grew his skills working on a variety of projects while doing agency work, and how he is trying to think about and unpack how design and UX impact so much more than just...2021-07-2442 min
UX PursuitEmma Bulajewski | Senior UX ResearcherEmma is a thoughtful and authentic UX Researcher who I’ve known since her grad school days when she and her team used Blink’s research labs for their usability testing project. I wanted to speak with Emma because of something she posted on her LinkedIn back in the Fall of 2020. She offered up office hours for anyone to book time on her calendar to talk shop or ask questions about getting into UX Research. How cool is that?!?
In our conversation Emma shares how she discovered UX, her journey through school, internships, and contract positions, and the...2021-07-1658 min
UX PursuitTodd Bennings | Product DesignerTodd and I’s UX careers intersected back in the early days of my time at Blink. He always brought a smile to everyone in the office while also delivering great design work for our clients. I was thrilled to have Todd on the podcast because I knew our talk would be filled with some great insights and lots of laughs. He did not disappoint.
In our conversation Todd talks about his cross-country UX journey, developing skills and relationships through consultancy work, and ultimately shifting to in-house design.
Todd is another guest to bring up th...2021-07-0746 min
UX PursuitUX Pursuit | One-Week HiatusWelcome to UX Pursuit; a podcast dedicated to the unique stories and journeys of UX practitioners – how they got to where they are today, what hurdles they overcame, and what advice they have for those currently pursuing a thriving career in UX.
I’m Tim Bridgham; your host and I’m posting this special episode to let you know the show is taking a one week hiatus. We’ll be back next week with a new episode!
As I’ve mentioned. we’re approaching the end of season one and our final episode will be a panel disc...2021-07-0101 min
UX PursuitAlanté Fields | Digital Innovations Content PlannerAlanté is a persistent and passionate researcher. This became clear to me after hearing more about her story and learning what drew her to UX, how she pursued her career, and how she strives to be a champion for human-centered design in whatever role she has.
In our discussion she also talks about some unique skills necessary for excelling in UX and presents a thoughtful view on the need to get applied experience, whether that’s through grad school, a bootcamp, volunteering, or in her case, at an existing job.
Alanté’s ability to recognize opportu...2021-06-2333 min
UX PursuitJulie Riederer | UX Research Manager & LeadJulie is a thoughtful researcher with passion for growing and helping UX researchers and leading teams to deliver impactful insights wherever she’s working. She was kind enough to give me some helpful advice back in 2017 at a pivotal moment in my UX journey and I was excited to chat with her for the podcast to hear more about her journey. I enjoyed hearing about her journey from cognitive psychology, to market research, to UX research, and then to UX research management. It was fascinating to discover how curiosity is so central to Julie’s journey, especially since that is a...2021-06-1643 min
UX PursuitBrandon Sapp | UX ResearcherLast summer I met Brandon when he joined Blink’s Seattle office as a part of our summer internship program. Right away I could see his passion for and eagerness to soak up as much UX knowledge as possible. He even moved from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Seattle, Washington to participate in what had to become a “fully remote” internship. In our chat he shares some great insights into UX internships and what he was able to get out of his time last summer.
It was great to get to reconnect with him a few months after his in...2021-06-0930 min
UX PursuitJosh Klekamp | Senior Product DesignerJosh and I’s UX paths have crossed a few times so when I thought about guests for the podcast it was a no brainer to include Josh. He is not only a multi-skilled designer, he’s also a passionate advocate for supporting those who are just entering the UX world. In our conversation he shares about the importance of relationships and how that has shaped his UX career.
Additionally, Josh shares the skills he thinks every designer should possess to have a thriving career in UX design; listening, collaborating, and communicating.
LINKS
LinkedIn
Port...2021-06-0244 min
UX PursuitTulsi Desai | UX ResearcherI’m really happy to have Tulsi on the podcast. Her journey follows a somewhat common but also uncommon path into UX. In our conversation Tulsi shares about her path from research intern into full-time researcher after trying to re-kindle her passion for UX several years into working as a mechanical engineer.
I love what Tulsi has to say about leaning on, and not abandoning, the skills she learned in her engineering background – how she leverages them and using them as a lens into the research she does. Since so many in UX come from different backgrounds, this...2021-05-2644 min
UX PursuitLeili Slutz | UX ResearcherLeili is a thoughtful and dedicated UX Researcher and former coworker from Blink. I worked closely with her on my first full-time research project after becoming a UX Researcher and learned a ton from her in those early days doing full-time research. I’m excited to share our conversation with you and think she has some great insights into pursuing what comes your way.
Leili shares some great advice and wise words about the value of networking and the proper way of making connections with people in or related to UX!
LINKS
LinkedIn
Th...2021-05-1928 min
UX PursuitSavannah Ostrowski | Program ManagerProgram management; how does that involve UX? Before talking with Savannah I wasn’t exactly sure so it was great getting to connect and learn about how she has mixed her passion for development with her passion for UX. I think her enthusiasm for UX and people really comes through in our conversation so I hope you enjoy it.
I also appreciate Savannah sharing her very encouraging message that making the transition can be done! I really enjoyed learning more about program management and how she brings curiosity and empathy to her job.
LINKS
Li...2021-05-1238 min
UX PursuitDave Kennedy | UX ResearcherI first met Dave in grad school and one of the first things I noticed about him was the thoughtful questions he asked during class. It’s no wonder he became a researcher! In our conversation I learned more about his extensive design background and how and why he ultimately chose to pursue a research career.
I love how Dave talks about leaning into curiosity and bringing creativity to his research process. And I think it’s super cool that he’s able to do the research and leverage his design background and skills to also talk design...2021-05-0553 min
UX PursuitJake Lunde | Senior UX DesignerJake is a smart, talented, thoughtful, and hilarious UX Designer. We had a ton of fun talking about his career, the core of UX, his “three C’s” for being a good UX designer, and even some great ways he’s coping with this prolonged work-from-home life we find ourselves in.
I love the way that Jake approaches UX; that it really boils down to solving problems by talking to people. I’ve had the opportunity to work on a big UCD project with Jake and I can vouch for his authentic pursuit of solving problems. I look forwa...2021-04-2850 min
UX PursuitMegan Greco | Visual DesignerMegan was an “egg-zellent” guest - you’ll get that reference by the end of the show I promise - and I’m eager to share our conversation. Megan is a talented visual designer that I’ve been lucky enough to work with on a few projects at Blink. In addition to her design skills she brings a ton of joy and energy to the work she does. Beyond some practical UX advice, we also discussed some general career advice that I think you’ll find interesting.
I really admire her willingness to work hard and stretch her skills...2021-04-2159 min
UX PursuitLauryl Zenobi | Principle UX ResearcherI met Lauryl when I was in grad school when she was a participant in our usability testing class project. She was kind enough to help out my team and she has continued to find ways to help UX students or those trying to break into a UX career.
We spoke back in the Fall of 2020 shortly after her book I Want A UX Job! came out. Be sure to check out her book or reach out to connect with Lauryl - as she said, I’m sure she’d be happy to chat with you.
LINKS ...2021-04-1437 minUX PursuitUX Pursuit | Season One TrailerThe field of UX is relatively new but it’s been exploding over the past several years. One characteristic of a UX career that is both exciting and frustrating is that there isn’t one standard route to becoming a UX practitioner. It’s exciting because it means that you aren’t limited to just one pathway into the field but it is frustrating because there aren’t clear and concrete steps to getting into UX.
Six years ago I began my journey and I’ve been sharing bits and pieces of my own experience at uxpursuit.com but rece...2021-03-1602 min