Piers 
Humans are tactile creatures. We’re wired to understand the world by touching, feeling, and interacting with the objects around us. We pick things up, turn them over, bash them together, and toss them in the air. This hands-on exploration is how we make sense of things – and it’s how users instinctively approach your application. … continue reading
When designing a new product or feature, the excitement of innovation can tempt us to jump straight to the “big idea.” But if we skip the crucial step of understanding where users currently are, our leap forward may leave them confused, resistant, or disengaged. This is especially true when you’re taking a product from 0 … continue reading
Product design is the intersection of art and science. It requires creativity and intuition, but it is also deeply technical, based on research and hypotheses. Balancing these elements is what makes product design such a great discipline. Designers live in the realm of visual aesthetics, user-centered problem-solving, and the power of technology to build things … continue reading
Product design is about making (digital) things. Apps, generally. Whether you’re solving a problem, presenting information, or helping users complete a task, the focus is the same: creating with purpose. Product design in 2025 is commonly referred to as covering a range of specific roles, such as user research, user experience design (UX), user interface … continue reading
When making custom interfaces I’ve seen it over an over again where the interface becomes a linear “story”. You might have seen it yourself – ever had software that has a lot of next/previous/back buttons? When speaking to users about their workflow routine, it’s common to hear them describe a process from start to finish, … continue reading
Users are busy. They’re juggling notifications, errands, meetings, and a hundred other priorities. In this chaotic environment, the last thing they want is to encounter a giant, time-consuming task when using your app or website. Instead, they want small, manageable tasks they can complete quickly and easily. The Psychology of Small Tasks Humans naturally gravitate … continue reading
I’m going to start with a Steve Jobs clip. In it, he says “you’ve got to start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology. You can’t start with the technology and figure out how you’re going to sell it.” You can’t make people want something. It’s easy to get excited about AI. … continue reading
I’ve seen people use the terms “usability” and “accessibility” interchangeably, often surfacing in discussions about user experience. However, these concepts, while related, are not interchangeable. Understanding the nuanced differences between them is essential for any product designer aiming to create truly inclusive products. Here’s a breakdown to clarify these often-confused terms: Usability Usability refers to … continue reading
Good typography is a cornerstone of excellent visual design. Its influence extends far beyond aesthetics. The principles that guide effective typography – such as hierarchy, structure, and clarity – are also essential to building great products. By understanding typography, product designers can learn to organize information better, provide clearer direction, and ultimately create more user-friendly … continue reading
Designers and builders face a dilemma: trying to predict what users want. Build first, ask questions later is a great way to get started, to get moving. Move fast and break things. Great. Keep doing that. But what happens when you step back, and you are unhappy with what you see? When what lies in … continue reading