And how to step into the discomfort to unleash your creative mind. — The Cold Shower Conundrum I’ll admit it, I love my hot showers. I don’t take long ones, but I crank up the temperature knob to its hottest setting. Lately, though, there’s a hum all over the internet and social media about the wonders of cold showers and ice baths. Health benefits, mood lifts, better…

Drawing parallels between old Westerns and modern UX principles: A tribute to my Dad. — Walking into my parents’ home, the familiar sound of hooves clattering and gunshots firing from the TV would greet me. There, in his favorite brown recliner, my dad would be — entranced by a John Wayne classic like True Grit or absorbed in Gary Cooper’s iconic performance with the beautiful…

An unexpected mental health reminder from Cupid’s arrow. — As it’s National Suicide Prevention Month, I wanted to share a story from my past and remind you how much you matter. I’ve got a light-hearted memory to share that happened to me nearly 30 years ago. It’s about my German language class, a textbook, and my first major crush. …

When YOU are the experience you’re designing. — UX practitioners are a unique breed. We create engaging, intuitive, and fulfilling experiences. We solve gnarly problems. We test, iterate, and pivot. But what if your most significant UX project isn’t on the screen but in the mirror? I’d like to propose that the best UX project you’ll ever work…

Your feelings are not a sign of weakness. — How are you feeling about everything? Are you good? Let’s get real for a moment. We’re in the midst of a tech revolution, and if you’re anything like me, it’s got you feeling a bit uneasy. Job security, parenting, the future — heck, even the simple act of understanding what’s going on — it all feels…

Being a leader means you’re the one who says, “I got this,” even when you’re scared as hell. — Hey there, friends. I’m not a Harvard grad, and I don’t have a fancy executive title. I’m not the smartest person on my team. But what I have is decades of working with people and watching leaders — good ones and bad ones. I’ve learned a thing or two about…

Unfolding the mystery of AlphaFold in a way we can understand. — Welcome to “Simplifiable by Design”, where complex ideas get a designer’s makeover for real-world understanding. Designers are storytellers. The strategies they use to simplify and communicate information can help demystify the world’s most complex ideas. …

Navigating the pitfalls that can weaken our good habits and how to safeguard against them. — If Habits Are Powerful, What’s Their Kryptonite? Charles Duhigg’s seminal work, “The Power of Habit,” has often been cited as a manual for personal and organizational transformation. The idea is compelling: Understand the loop of cue, routine, and reward, and you can change your habits and by extension, your life.

Serving up the essentials of sustainable leadership. — A metaphor for successful leadership Simon Sinek’s groundbreaking book, “Leaders Eat Last,” has ignited conversations in boardrooms, classrooms, and dinner tables around the world. The basic tenet is as profound as it is simple: Effective leaders put the needs of their team above their own. This leadership style nurtures a circle of trust, fuels collaboration…