The Boagworld Ux Show

In this episode, we chat with Sarah Zama from the University of Oxford about how she's helping to influence UX across one of the most complex and decentralized organizations in the world.We explore how she built a UX center of excellence almost from scratch, how the team is transforming culture through coaching and community, and what it takes to push UX forward in a challenging environment. There's also a digression into Apple's questionable design choices, a fantastic app recommendation, and of course, Marcus' joke.App Of The WeekThis week’s app recommendation is Zuko Form Analytics. It’s an incredibly helpful tool for anyone involved in conversion rate optimization or form design.Zuko tracks detailed interactions with every field in a form—like how long someone spends in a field, where they drop off, and what fields trigger abandonment.You get session-level insights, and it all works via a simple JavaScript snippet. There's a free tier to get started (up to 1,000 sessions), and pricing starts around £40/mo

Welcome back. In my previous emails, we explored how to plan and present your UX strategy and gain support from the people who matter. We talked about getting buy-in and navigating the occasional tricky political waters. It was all about setting the stage, wouldn't you say? But I'm also keenly aware that we didn't dive deep into what that strategy should actually contain. We just scratched the surface of how to sell it and discussed the big picture.Now, it's time to roll up our sleeves and talk about the nuts and bolts. We're going to get into the specific actions and approaches that will define your work as a UX leader. This is where your vision starts to become a tangible reality, shaping how your entire organization thinks about and delivers user experience.The Big Challenge: Too Much Work, Too Few HandsLet's address something we all feel in our bones: the elephant in the room. Most of us in UX, and I mean most, operate with teams that are just plain under-resourced. There's always more work to be done tha

Joining me, Paul, are Marcus Lillington and Jared Spool, and together we explore how UX needs to reposition itself, what AI really means for designers, and how to navigate the current UX job landscape without losing hope. We also touch on some interesting new tools from Figma and an exciting AI-assisted prototyping app that could change how we work.App of the WeekThis episode highlights two key apps making waves in the design space:Figma SitesAnnounced recently at the Figma conference, this new tool aims to let you publish websites directly from Figma, competing with players like Webflow and Framer. However, we share a healthy dose of skepticism about its current capabilities—especially its accessibility issues and lack of data entry support, which limits its usefulness beyond very simple sites.ReaddyThis AI-powered assisted coding tool stands out as a promising alternative. Unlike traditional prototyping in Figma, Ready lets you describe your UI in natural language, and it generates real HTML and CSS code th

Creating Personality-Driven Design ExperiencesIn this week’s episode of the Boagworld Show, we’re joined by none other than Andy “The Pioneer” Clarke. We dig deep into the role of aesthetics in UX, explore how AI can conduct user interviews, and debate how to approach pricing conversations with clients. Alongside our usual banter, you’ll find insights into why design needs personality and how creative direction can add real value, whether you’re designing marketing sites or B2B dashboards.We also introduce a new AI-powered user research tool, share some standout reading recommendations, and end with the usual Marcus groaner (you’ve been warned).App of the Week: WhyserThis week we took a look at Whyser, an AI tool designed to conduct user interviews on your behalf. You simply set up your interview goals and questions, and the AI takes care of the rest; scheduling, conducting, and even analyzing interviews.What impressed us most was how well the AI adapted its questions based on our answers. It felt remarkably

This week, we catch up on Paul’s latest adventures—from a memorable dinner with Todd “the accessibility guru” where we talked WCAG 3, to a deep dive into the shifting landscape of design job titles. We’ll share an app that brings real form fields into your Figma prototypes, unpack why “product designer” is suddenly on everyone’s profile, and wrap up with a classic Marcus joke to send you on your way.App of the WeekWe’ve been wrestling with Figma’s built‑in prototyping limitations—particularly the lack of real form fields—and this week we discovered Bolt. Bolt lets you import a Figma frame URL and instantly spin up an interactive prototype complete with working inputs and text fields. That means you can run realistic usability tests without hand‑coding forms or cobbling together workarounds.Topic of the Week: Bringing Clarity to the Chaos of Design Job TitlesIn an era when “UX designer,” “UI designer,” “product designer,” and “service designer” all coexist, you might feel like you need an advanced diploma just

This week’s episode takes a deeper look at how we define good user experience—and argues it’s time we move beyond the narrow focus of usability. We explore how friction can sometimes enhance an experience, and why emotional design is essential if we want to create interfaces that stick in users’ minds.We also review a new batch of AI-powered design tools and uncover where they currently fall short. Plus, we look at how AI can still be incredibly useful for user research—when used the right way.Finally, we answer a question from our Agency Academy about giving feedback in a way that doesn't crush your colleagues, and Marcus closes out with one of his typically pun-tastic jokes.App Of The WeekWe explored two sides of AI in this episode—one disappointing, one surprisingly powerful.AI Website Builders: Not Quite There YetWhile on the road (and supposedly on holiday), Paul trialed four AI-powered tools that promise to design and code entire websites based on your prompts. The tools included:UXPilotV0PolymetLoveabl

On this week's Boagworld Show, we're exploring how UX design leaders can take control of their roles within organizations, why UX agencies might feel doomed (but probably aren't), and how AI is reshaping the way we code and collaborate. We'll dig into practical strategies for UX leaders, share insights on the changing landscape for UX agencies, and provide guidance for navigating AI in your workflows.App of the WeekThis week's recommendation is UXPressia, a powerful yet easy-to-use visualization tool. UXPressia helps teams collaboratively create customer journey maps, personas, and impact maps. Although the visual output isn't necessarily designer-quality, it excels at engaging stakeholders and team members in user research activities. It's particularly useful for empowering non-designers to contribute meaningfully to UX strategies.Topic of the Week: Defining Your Role as a UX Design LeaderAs UX professionals, many of us often find ourselves caught in cycles of endless implementation, working on tasks dictate

On this week's Boagworld Show, we delve into the powerful concept of invisible user research - tackling how to conduct essential UX work even when stakeholders resist investing in formal research. We explore the often-overlooked impact of UX debt, crown a new champion among user-testing apps, and surprisingly, find ourselves nodding along with McKinsey on the strategic role of design leaders.App of the WeekThis week, we're excited about Useberry, a versatile user-testing platform that covers a wide range of UX research tasks like card sorting, tree testing, five-second tests, preference tests, and single-task usability studies. It's particularly appealing due to its comprehensive features, straightforward user interface, scalability, and affordable pricing model. With a free tier for small tests and scalable packages allowing incremental purchases up to 2000 responses per month, Useberry makes rigorous user research accessible without heavy upfront costs.Topic of the Week: Invisible User ResearchOne of the bi

This week, we’re tackling a biggie—how to avoid the pitfalls of metrics. We’ll explore why tracking the wrong numbers can send your entire organization in the wrong direction and what you should be focusing on instead.We also have a fantastic Figma plugin to make your mockups more realistic, a thought-provoking read on AI’s impact on UX, and a listener question on handling the ever-growing number of software subscriptions. Oh, and of course, Marcus has a joke. But don’t get your hopes up.App of the Week: Quick FillThis week, I came across Quick Fill, a Figma plugin that helps you populate your designs with realistic-looking data. We’ve all been there—presenting a mockup to stakeholders, only to have them fixate on the fact that every name and profile picture is identical. Quick Fill solves that by auto-generating realistic text, names, addresses, and other useful content to make your designs feel more natural.Not only does this improve stakeholder buy-in, but it also helps you spot design issues early on. Eve

Welcome to another packed episode! This week, we're diving into three topics we think you'll find fascinating. First up, we're exploring why face-to-face meetings still matter in our digital world. Then, we'll share our favorite A/B testing tools (since Google Optimize is no longer with us), and finally, we'll look at how AI is reshaping UX with some eye-opening insights from Nielsen Norman Group.A/B Testing Tools You Can TrustWith Google Optimize's departure, many of you have been asking what tools we're using now for AB testing. Let's break down our top three picks that we've thoroughly tested:VWO (Visual Website Optimizer)We love VWO's generous free tier - you get 50,000 test sessions without spending a penny. Perfect if you're running a smaller site or just getting started with testing.Crazy EggHere's a tool that keeps things simple but powerful. Beyond basic A/B testing, you get heat maps and scroll tracking to really understand how your users behave. It won't break the bank either.Check MangoLooking for

In today's episode, we dive deep into how UX professionals can effectively demonstrate their value within organizations, especially during challenging times when the shine has come off UX and attention has shifted to AI.Form Analysis Tools: A Game-Changer for UXWe kick off by exploring some exciting form analysis tools that can revolutionize how we optimize web forms. Tools like MouseFlow, Zuko, and EXATOM offer powerful insights into form performance, helping identify where users struggle and drop off.Zuko particularly caught our attention with its focused approach and reasonable pricing, making it an attractive option for teams looking to improve their form conversion rates.Strategies for Promoting UX ValueThe main segment focuses on practical strategies for UX professionals to demonstrate their value within organizations. We explore several key approaches:Show, Don't Tell: Create tangible assets like prototypes and user journey visualizations rather than getting bogged down in documentation. This could inc

I've watched with fascination how AI is reshaping the design landscape. While we've made incredible strides in using AI to enhance our design processes, I believe we're overlooking something crucial: the human experience of interacting with AI itself.You might wonder why this matters. Well, as AI becomes more deeply woven into our daily lives, the way we interact with these systems shapes their value. It's not enough that AI can perform amazing feats - these capabilities need to feel natural and accessible to everyone.When I look at today's AI interfaces, I see familiar frustrations: clunky search functions, disorganized content, and confusing customization options. These aren't just minor annoyances - they're barriers that stand between users and AI's full potential.But here's the real challenge that has begun to obsess me: AI systems often struggle to truly understand us - our context, preferences, and what we're trying to achieve. This gap creates an exciting opportunity for UX professionals to shape the f

Introduction: Embracing AI for UX ProductivityIn this episode of the Boagworld Podcast, we delve into the transformative role of AI in UX and web design. From cutting-edge Figma plugins to tools that revolutionize SEO, Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington share insights, tools, and strategies that can elevate your workflow. Whether you're a seasoned designer or new to the field, there's something here to enhance your productivity and effectiveness.The Challenges of Broadband and Digital EvolutionPaul kicks things off with a good old moan about his broadband woes, lamenting his epic quest for faster internet speeds. It’s the kind of saga every techie can relate to, complete with bureaucratic bungling and dashed hopes. Meanwhile, Marcus jumps in with his usual dose of cheeky humor, poking fun at Paul’s plight while reminding us all to roll with the punches in our ever-evolving digital lives.Exploring the Potential of BlueskyBluesky, a decentralized social platform, captures Paul's attention. Unlike traditional platf

What Does 2025 Hold for UX?As we approach the new year, it's time to reflect on the state of user experience design and look ahead to what 2025 might bring. In this episode of the Boagworld Podcast, Marcus and I dive into the trends, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead. Here are the key takeaways from our discussion.The Rise of Seamless AI Integration2024 marked a pivotal year for artificial intelligence, with tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and Claude reshaping workflows across industries. However, much of the focus has been on the technology itself, often at the expense of usability. In 2025, we predict a shift toward creating seamless, user-friendly AI interfaces that integrate into our daily workflows.What This Means for DesignersAs designers, we need to think beyond basic AI chat interfaces and envision ways to incorporate AI into broader user experiences. Imagine:Dynamic image generation: Tools like KREA allow precise control over visuals, ensuring images guide users' attention effectively.Smar

In this episode, we dive into the frustrating world of Invitations to Tender (ITTs), explore why Notion might be the only app you need, and discuss treating AI like your newest intern. We also share our thoughts on Adobe's latest AI innovations and why UX seems to have lost its shine.The Problem with Traditional TendersOur main topic for this show is Invitations to Tenders (ITTs). We've spent years dealing with ITTs, and frankly, we're tired of a system that doesn't serve anyone well. For agencies, they're incredibly time-consuming and costly to complete, often with no guarantee of success. What's worse, sometimes you're just there to make up the numbers because procurement needs three quotes.The limited information provided in ITTs makes accurate pricing challenging, and their rigid specifications leave little room for the flexibility digital projects need. When usability testing suggests a major change in direction, you're stuck navigating complex change control procedures instead of doing what's best for t

Hello and welcome to the Boagworld Show, the longest-running web design podcast where we look at user experience design, conversion optimization, and working in the web. This week, we've got quite the lineup for you.WP Engine vs WordPress: A Cautionary TaleWe kick things off with a look at the recent controversy between WP Engine and WordPress. It's a bit of a mess, to be honest. WordPress.org has banned WP Engine from accessing its resources, including plugin and theme updates. This has left a lot of WP Engine-hosted sites in a bit of a pickle.The whole debacle seems to stem from an attempt by WordPress to extract money from WP Engine. It's a stark reminder of the dangers of building your business on someone else's platform. We've seen this happen before with companies like Tweetbot and various Amazon sellers. It's a risk that many businesses take, often without fully considering the potential consequences.While we hope this situation resolves quickly, it's a valuable lesson for all of us in the web industry

The State of the Industry and AI's ImpactWe kick off this episode by delving into the current state of the tech industry, particularly focusing on the widespread budget cuts we're witnessing. What's driving these cuts? Is it the rise of AI, economic uncertainties, or perhaps a tech bubble bursting? We explore these possibilities and ponder whether UX might be falling out of fashion.See Also: The Shifting Landscape of UX: What’s Really Happening?Speaking of AI, we couldn't resist discussing a fascinating conversation between Cleo Abram and Mark Zuckerberg. It's a prime example of how some tech leaders are approaching innovation - starting with what's technologically possible rather than addressing actual user needs. This approach raises important questions about the direction of tech development and its impact on user experience.App of the Week: Framer - More Than Just a Website BuilderThis week, we're shining a spotlight on Framer. While it positions itself as a website builder, we've found it to be an incred

Transforming UX Teams - From Reactive to StrategicIn this episode, we explore how UX teams can evolve from firefighters to strategic leaders, revolutionizing their impact on organizations. We also review Maze, a versatile UX testing platform, and share insightful reads of the week.Revolutionizing UX Teams: From Firefighters to Strategic LeadersIn today's episode, we delve into the evolving role of UX teams within large organizations. We've noticed a recurring issue: UX teams are often understaffed and overwhelmed, struggling to keep up with the demands of multiple projects and numerous developers. This situation leads to a reactive approach, where UX professionals find themselves constantly putting out fires rather than driving strategic initiatives.Redefining the UX Team's RoleWe propose a shift in thinking about UX teams. Instead of viewing them as implementers who should be involved in every project, we suggest repositioning them as leaders, educators, and enablers of UX practices across the organization.

This week on the Boagworld Show, we’re diving deep into user-focused content creation, leveraging AI, optimizing web copy for better UX and conversions, and discussing the importance of community and balancing work-life commitments. Get ready for some insightful tips and strategies!Embracing User-Centric Content CreationIn this episode, we break down how to transform user questions into actionable, engaging web content. By focusing on the needs of your audience, you can ensure your content is both relevant and effective.AI-Powered Content DraftingCreating content that truly resonates with your audience can be challenging, especially when you're starting from a blank page. That's where AI comes in. We explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can help you streamline content creation and make the process more efficient, ultimately resulting in higher quality and more engaging web copy.Here’s how we approach content with AI:Start with User QuestionsWe begin by gathering the most pressing questions that users have. This

We're back with another episode of the Boagworld Show, where we dive into all things user experience, conversion optimization, and digital leadership. This week, we are discussing some exciting topics that will grab your attention.Embracing AIWe've been exploring the world of AI. We've been experimenting with tools like Claude AI and Fathom, which have proven incredibly useful for summarizing meetings and generating action points. If you haven't tried Fathom yet, we highly recommend giving it a go. It's a game-changer for anyone who spends a lot of time in meetings!Microsoft Clarity: A Free Analytics PowerhouseOur app of the week is Microsoft Clarity, and it’s impressive! This free analytics tool competes well with Google Analytics. Here’s why we love it:It provides insights on user behavior, including dead clicks, rage clicks, and excessive scrolling.You can create filters to focus on specific user actions.It offers heat maps for visual representation of user interactions.The tool records sessions, allowing