The hottest User Experience Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Choosing the right UX metrics - Part 1

UX Psychology • 119 implied HN points • 20 Sep 22
🕹 Technology UX Design Metrics User Experience Product Analytics Feature Prioritization
  1. UX metrics are vital for making evidence-based UX decisions instead of relying on opinions and beliefs.
  2. Using a combination of attitudinal and behavioral metrics can provide a comprehensive understanding of user experience.
  3. The HEART framework - Happiness, Engagement, Adoption, Retention, and Task Success - offers a structured way to select and track UX metrics for data-driven decision-making.

UX Roundup: AI in Mathematics | Mainstreaming Usability | Sparkles Emoji | Changing E-Commerce Guidelines | SFTechWeek Event

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 11 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Usability E-commerce User Experience Collaboration
  1. AI is changing mathematics by making it easier for researchers to collaborate and generate ideas. This allows larger groups of mathematicians to work together efficiently using AI tools.
  2. Usability concepts like 'use cases' are now widely accepted beyond product design, showing that usability has become a common goal across different fields.
  3. The sparkles emoji has become a popular symbol for AI features in user interfaces, reflecting how people view AI as a magical technology that is becoming more mainstream.

Shreyas Doshi on Product Thinking

Practical Product Discovery • 58 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
💼 Business Product Management Product Development Strategic Thinking User Experience Innovation
  1. Product thinking involves understanding motivations and conceiving solutions based on effects you want to create.
  2. Avoid relying solely on project thinking, which focuses on plans and resources rather than user needs and creativity.
  3. To learn product thinking, prioritize real goals over deliverables, understand user needs, generate options, simulate outcomes, and study examples in the wild.

A UXer's guide to neurodiversity

UX Psychology • 158 implied HN points • 13 May 22
🕹 Technology Design Neurodiversity Inclusion Accessibility User Experience
  1. Neurodiversity encompasses a wide range of neurological variations in the human population, emphasizing the positive aspects and uniqueness of different thinking styles and cognitive functions.
  2. When designing for neurodiversity, consider factors like font choice, error prevention, clear copywriting, sensory issues, and consistency in design to create inclusive user experiences.
  3. In the workplace, it's important to foster understanding and flexibility to support neurodiverse individuals, from adjusting hiring practices to creating accommodating work environments and providing education and resources.
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Duplicating Published Decks

Pine • 19 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software Web Apps Product Updates User Experience Digital Tools
  1. You can now duplicate published decks in your own Pine workspace. This makes it easier to use existing materials and adapt them for your needs.
  2. When duplicating, you can choose how to manage existing decks, like merging new cards or replacing them completely. This gives you control over your content updates.
  3. There are other improvements, like faster loading times for your workspace and better thumbnail generation for sharing on social media. These updates make the platform more user-friendly.

Be a centaur

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Modeling Interfaces User Experience
  1. Technology is changing fast, and it's important to keep learning and adapting. It's easy to think things have settled down, but we're still on an upward curve.
  2. As AI models improve, they will be more useful in specific areas. It's crucial to understand how to use these models effectively to stay competitive.
  3. To stay relevant, we need to focus on asking the right questions instead of just knowing the answers. Learning how to work with AI tools can give you an edge.

Sunday Letter - let's leave the typewriter behind

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Applications Documents Collaboration User Experience
  1. Documents have changed a lot, but they still feel stuck in the past, like from the typewriter days. We need to rethink how we create and interact with documents to make them more useful and dynamic.
  2. AI can help us create smarter, more interactive documents that understand our needs. Instead of just being static text, documents could be live conversations that adapt to what we want.
  3. It's time to move beyond old ideas of fixed applications. We should expect software to understand us better and respond to our needs in a more flexible way, just like we would have a conversation.

41 Years in UX: A Career Retrospective

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 60 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Academia Inventions Startups Web Design
  1. Jakob Nielsen has had a long career in UX since 1983, with a consistent mission of making computers user-friendly.
  2. He transitioned from academia to real-world UX work, influenced by his experiences with different computers and usability.
  3. Key achievements include pioneering discount usability, writing a popular book on web usability, and raising public awareness about UX.

#6 Twitter: What's My *Name* Again?

Product Identity • 19 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Social media Product Design User Experience Digital Identity Tech Culture
  1. Twitter, now called X, is facing an identity crisis after Elon Musk's takeover. Users feel confused about the platform's direction and branding changes.
  2. Despite its challenges, Twitter remains a unique place for short-form content and discussions. Its text-first approach has fostered a special community culture.
  3. The introduction of long-form tweets has changed Twitter's essence, moving it away from its original character limit that defined its identity. This could impact the way users engage with content.

UX Roundup: AI Metaphors Quiz | Text Fields | Speaking in Oslo | Usability Poster | AI Elo Scores | Cost to Orbit

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 7 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Artificial Intelligence Design principles Usability testing Space Technology
  1. Using AI metaphors like 'intern' or 'coach' helps people understand how to work with AI better. Each metaphor highlights different roles AI can play in our tasks.
  2. Traditional text entry fields are crucial for good user experience design. Keeping them simple and clear helps users know exactly where to enter information.
  3. The cost of launching things into space is decreasing rapidly thanks to companies like SpaceX. This could open up new opportunities for research and technology that we can't even imagine yet.

For Personalized AI, How Agreeable Is Too Agreeable?

techandsocialcohesion • 19 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Regulation Privacy User Experience
  1. Users must decide if they want their personal AI assistants to be agreeable or expose them to diverse perspectives.
  2. Being surrounded by agreeable AI assistants could lead to a filter bubble, isolating users from different viewpoints.
  3. Businesses, governments, and users all play a role in balancing agreeableness and exposure to diverse ideas in personal AI assistants.

What Makes a Great Quality Engineer?

QUALITY BOSS • 39 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Software Testing Quality Assurance Technical Skills Product Development User Experience
  1. Great quality engineers need a quality mindset. This means they care about making sure the product is useful and works well for customers, not just ticking off boxes.
  2. Some key traits of top QEs are curiosity, adaptability, and persistence. These qualities help them understand the product better and keep pushing until they get to the bottom of any issues.
  3. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are also important. This ensures they can share findings clearly and work well with other teams to improve the product.

Intent and Iteration are the new Click and Drag

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI UX Design Software User Experience Human-computer interaction
  1. Understanding intent is more powerful than following a strict process. It's like asking for milk instead of giving detailed steps on how to walk to the kitchen.
  2. We need to iterate when designing user experiences as language and meaning can change over time. It's like adjusting your conversation when something doesn’t make sense.
  3. Future software will focus on talking to computers in more natural ways, using various methods like voice, images, and gestures instead of just clicking buttons. This makes interactions more flexible and user-friendly.

Time Scales of UX: From 0.1 Seconds to 100 Years

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 50 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Web Design AI Organizational Change Data Management
  1. User experience is not a place or thing, but it unfolds over time.
  2. The time scales in UX range from 0.1 seconds to 100 years, with a huge variability.
  3. Design decisions in UX can impact events that last from a fraction of a second to a century, requiring a broad perspective and high IQ to navigate effectively.

It was never about LLM performance

Technically • 41 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Open Source Developer Tools Machine Learning User Experience
  1. It's not just about the performance numbers of large language models (LLMs). The real value lies in the experiences built on top of these models for customers.
  2. The ChatGPT interface demonstrates the importance of the overall experience over just the underlying model technology in LLMs.
  3. When considering open source LLMs, it's crucial to focus on the holistic experience that model providers offer, not just the performance metrics in comparison to closed source models.

The value of iteration

Sunday Letters • 159 implied HN points • 17 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Software Development User Experience Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning
  1. Software development has changed from a strict step-by-step approach to a more flexible, iterative process. This means developers now focus on making small, incremental improvements based on user feedback.
  2. Many current applications still operate like the old method with rigid tasks. They don't allow users to interact freely, making the experience less enjoyable.
  3. Emerging technologies, like large language models, have the potential to make software more adaptable. This could lead to personalized experiences that evolve based on individual user needs.

Quality Engineering Basics: Debugging

QUALITY BOSS • 19 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Testing Quality Assurance Debugging Development Tools User Experience
  1. Debugging is like being a detective; you need to find clues to solve the problem in the software. Understanding how or when a bug happens can help get it fixed faster.
  2. A good bug report includes details like when the bug occurs and what steps to reproduce it. The more information you provide, the easier it is for developers to understand and fix the issue.
  3. Trying different methods and tools can help uncover more about the bug. For example, using different browsers or versions of software can help pinpoint what's causing the problem.

AR and the (Possible) Return of Skeuomorphism

Thoughts • 19 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AR UI Design Virtual reality User Experience
  1. Skeuomorphism was a popular UI design concept that mimicked physical objects, making interfaces user-friendly for those new to technology.
  2. Affordances in digital interfaces, as seen in skeuomorphism, help users interact intuitively, like how door handles suggest pushing or rotating.
  3. With AR/XR devices gaining popularity, there's potential for a comeback of skeuomorphism in a more functional form, bridging virtual and physical worlds.

Avoid "Basket Case" Data Products Through Iteration

The Data Score • 39 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Data products Development Process User Experience
  1. In both music and data product development, iterate continuously to refine and improve the final outcome
  2. Feedback is crucial in the iterative process - share, adapt, and repeat until achieving product/market fit
  3. The final product should not be the minimum viable product; be willing to discard prototypes and embrace scalability for long-term success

#6 - What's the right size?

A Good Interface • 39 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🕹 Technology UI Design Video Games User Experience
  1. Size your buttons correctly: Follow guidelines like 10mm x 10mm for mobile games and 44px / 48px for non-touch screens for optimal user interaction.
  2. Text matters too: Ensure text size is at least 16px for readability and paragraphs have 50-75 characters per line. Line spacing should be at least 1.5 times the font size.
  3. Provide user options: Let players customize their experience, like font size, to cater to diverse preferences and enhance accessibility.

Microsoft Sentinel Content Hub Changes

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Software Updates User Experience
  1. The default view in the Microsoft Sentinel Content Hub has changed to List Mode, which allows users to select multiple solutions for installation at once.
  2. The step-through wizard for installing solutions in the Content Hub has been replaced with simple options: Install and View Results.
  3. Investing in Microsoft Sentinel means having the most current version of the product available without downtime, showing continuous improvement in the platform.

#60 - André Neves, LNM parabolic growth & Lightning friends

LN Markets’ Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Bitcoin Gaming Payments User Experience Blockchain
  1. André Neves is deeply involved in the Bitcoin ecosystem through ZEBEDEE, NBD, and Vinteum.
  2. Bitcoin and Lightning Network are transforming the gaming industry with instant, low-fee transactions.
  3. Improving UX around self-custody and simplifying interactions with Lightning Network are key for broader Bitcoin adoption.

Rethinking The Software Development Life Cycle

Beekey’s Substack • 2 HN points • 31 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile Methodology Project management User Experience
  1. The traditional waterfall model of software development rarely works well. Projects often go over budget, and the software can end up being unusable.
  2. Agile development was created to improve this, but many teams still stick to outdated processes and struggle with meeting user needs.
  3. Involving users early by writing code during requirements gathering can lead to better feedback and faster development, making sure the software created is valuable.

Scalability Applies Beyond Tech

Kartick’s Blog • 17 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software User Experience Public Services Health Interpersonal Skills
  1. Scalability isn't just for tech; it also applies to user experience. Good UX can cater to different user needs without confusion, like how WhatsApp offers various ways to communicate.
  2. Public services also need to be scalable for everyone, regardless of income. Services should meet diverse needs rather than just providing a one-size-fits-all solution.
  3. Even our personal traits, like politeness, should be scalable. It's important to adjust our behavior based on the situation and context, finding a balance between being too polite and too rude.

Portfolio secrets for product designer

A Generalist newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🪑 Design Product Design Visual Design User Experience Branding
  1. Have your own website instead of just using platforms like Behance. It makes you stand out and shows you're serious about your brand.
  2. Show only a few of your best projects in your portfolio. Focus on what you did in each project so employers can see your skills clearly.
  3. Let your personality shine in your portfolio. Share interesting things about yourself that make you unique and memorable.

How to Sell Products and Retain Customers

Sarah's Newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 12 Apr 22
💼 Business Marketing Customer Retention Product Development User Experience Data Analysis
  1. Understand your audience and solve their real problems to attract and retain customers.
  2. Provide a smooth onboarding experience to help users transition from inefficient processes to using your product.
  3. Customers who find your product valuable will be forgiving of small bugs, but focus on seamless integration within their ecosystem.

Understanding LLM User Experience & Expectation

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 19 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI User Experience Research Natural Language
  1. Most users engage with LLMs weekly and mainly use them for tasks like getting information and solving problems. It's a popular tool that people find helpful.
  2. Users expect LLMs to perform well in creative tasks too, but many are not satisfied with the results they get in this area. There’s room for better performance here.
  3. Understanding what users want from LLMs is key. This includes recognizing their different needs, like trust and capability in the tools, so improvements can be better targeted.

I don’t know anyone using InVision Studio, and that’s too bad

Better After a Nap • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Product Design User Experience Software Tools Product Strategy Competition
  1. An MVP needs to offer a key differentiator or a promise of one soon to make an impact in a competitive market.
  2. Meet the specific needs of your core user base swiftly and effectively to stay ahead of the competition.
  3. Maintain a laser focus on your core business, listen to user feedback, and avoid overhyping your product to build trust and loyalty.

Introducing Etalon: How we choose a LLM with optimal Runtime Performance ?

Machine Learning Diaries • 3 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Machine Learning AI Models Performance Metrics User Experience
  1. Evaluating large language models (LLMs) is important for ensuring a good user experience. Existing metrics like Time to First Token (TTFT) and Time Between Tokens (TBT) don't fully capture how these models perform in real-time applications.
  2. The proposed 'Etalon' framework offers a new way to measure LLMs using a 'fluidity-index' that helps track how well the model meets deadlines. This ensures smoother and more responsive interactions.
  3. Current metrics can hide issues like delays and jitters during token generation. The new approach aims to provide a clearer picture of performance by considering these factors, leading to better user satisfaction.

UX Roundup: Consultants Don’t Work | Apple AI | AI as General-Purpose Technology | Generative UI for the Enterprise

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 5 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence User Experience Enterprise Software Consulting Innovation
  1. Consultants are not effective for improving productivity with AI. Companies need to experiment with AI internally to find what works best for them.
  2. The upcoming Apple AI is not as advanced as what will be available soon. This could mislead users into thinking they understand how AI can impact their work.
  3. AI is a general-purpose technology that will reshape various industries. It takes time for it to become widely effective, so companies should prepare now for its future capabilities.

#84 Deeply average

Design Lobster • 159 implied HN points • 06 Sep 21
🪑 Design Product Design User Experience Quotes
  1. Designing for the average can be dangerous as the 'average' user might not actually exist, leading to flawed design choices.
  2. Questioning who the average user is can lead to innovative design solutions that challenge normalized assumptions.
  3. Design is not about finding one right answer, but about exploring a multitude of solutions, with some being more suitable than others.

UX Roundup: Portfolio Without Experience | AI-UX Course | Jakob on UX Greece | Test with 5 Users | ImageGen Shootout

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 23 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology UX Design Artificial Intelligence User Experience AI Tools
  1. When building a UX portfolio without experience, focus on real-world relevance and storytelling to stand out from generic student projects.
  2. Consider volunteering, joining tech apprenticeships, or freelancing for startups to gain practical UX experience and build a compelling portfolio.
  3. Attending courses like 'UX for AI' can enhance your skills and knowledge in the UX field, adding value to your career development.

UX Roundup: AI-First Design | Dark Design | Non-Deterministic UX | Jakob Live | User Research Job

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology UX Design Artificial Intelligence User Experience Design Patterns UX Research
  1. AI-first products involve retrofitting AI onto existing software for productivity gains, but true advancements come from rethinking work processes and building new AI-first products.
  2. Avoid dark design patterns in UX to create ethical and user-friendly interfaces.
  3. Designing for non-deterministic UX involves adapting to AI systems that generate outcomes dynamically and focusing on ambiguity and dynamism.

Solve the right problem

Sunday Letters • 99 implied HN points • 27 Mar 22
🕹 Technology Software Development Engineering User Experience System Design Product Management
  1. It's important to solve the right problem. If you don't understand the problem clearly, you might end up overcomplicating things.
  2. Sometimes, less is more. Simplifying designs can make your code easier to manage and improve user experience.
  3. Don't try to fix every possible edge case; focus on the most common scenarios. This can help you avoid unnecessary complexity.