User Experience Design: Lessons from Two Decades in UI & UX

As digital products continue to shape our daily lives, the importance of user experience design has never been more crucial. Our latest episode of Stories from the Hackery features Susan Culkin, a veteran UI & UX professional whose career spans over two decades of technological evolution.

Susan's journey from her early days in graphic design to her current role as a senior product designer at Wilmington Trust offers a unique perspective on the field's transformation. She kicks off the conversation with a discussion on the difference between user interface (UI) and user experience (UX), emphasizing that while they're distinct disciplines, they work in harmony to create effective digital products.

She offers practical wisdom on fostering collaboration between designers and developers – no more “throwing a design over the wall” to the developers. Her architect and builder analogy will help you understand the roles of UX designers and developers in the product development process and highlights the importance of understanding both creative and technical constraints.

The conversation also touches on the impact of generative AI. Her balanced view on embracing innovation while maintaining a focus on human needs is a good reminder that no matter the tools you’re using, a UX designer’s goal is always to create a better user experience.

Whether you're a seasoned designer, a curious developer, or someone intrigued by the processes behind the digital products we use daily, this episode offers valuable lessons on creating user-focused designs. Tune in to gain insights from Susan's two decades of experience and learn how keeping users at the heart of design leads to more effective, engaging digital experiences.