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Need quick, actionable insights to sharpen your UX leadership and strategy? Short on time but eager to grow your influence? UX strategist Paul Boag delivers concise, practical episodes designed to enhance your strategic thinking, leadership skills, and impact in user experience. Each bite-sized podcast is just 6-10 minutes—perfect for busy UX leaders and advocates on the go.
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Boagworld: UX, Design Leadership, Marketing & Conversion Optimization
Paul Boag, Marcus Lillington
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Boagworld: The podcast where digital best practices meets a terrible sense of humor! Join us for a relaxed chat about all things digital design. We dish out practical advice and industry insights, all wrapped up in friendly conversation. Whether you're looking to improve your user experience, boost your conversion or be a better design lead, we've got something for you. With over 400 episodes, we're like the cool grandads of web design podcasts – experienced, slightly inappropriate, but alwa ...
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From Amphitheaters to Apps: The Evolution of User Experience
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From Amphitheaters to Apps: The Evolution of User Experience Long before we had screens, scroll wheels, or skeuomorphism, we were already wrestling with what it meant to design for humans. Take the Roman Colosseum, for example. Built nearly two thousand years ago, this wasn’t just a feat of architecture—it was a carefully orchestrated user experien…
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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 u…
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If LinkedIn is to be believed UX design is a hot mess right now. People are regularly announcing that death of UX, complaining they cannot get jobs and entire companies are abandoning the term UX for product design. Not to mention the fact that AI will supposedly be replacing us all. If you care at all about improving the user experience, this will…
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Beyond Usability: Why Emotion and Delight Matter in UX
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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 desig…
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Are Synthetic Personas Smart UX—or Just Clever Illusions?
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Hello all. I admit, I didn't expect much. In fact, I was fully prepared to dismiss it as just another AI gimmick—a shiny distraction from real user research. But after experimenting with using AI-generated personas (or "synthetic personas," as they're being called), I found myself in a strange new territory: genuinely impressed. If you're skeptical…
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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…
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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 McKi…
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I bet that subject line made you think this email was going to be about the importance of focusing on usability. But actually, we shouldn't be. Too many UX designers I meet are obsessed with making things as seamless and streamlined as possible. That’s great—up to a point. But usability isn't our entire job. In fact, focusing too much on usability …
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UX Is Bigger Than You Think: Beyond Websites and Apps
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As UX advocates and practitioners, we tend to focus on the immediate project at hand—the website, the app, the product interface. But that’s only a fraction of the actual user experience. Every digital interaction a person has with an organization shapes their perception. The problem? Most companies treat these interactions in silos, leading to a f…
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The Metrics Trap: Are You Measuring the Wrong Things?
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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 lis…
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Redefine Your UX Leadership: Crafting a Strategic Vision
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Hello there, I’d like to share some thoughts on developing your UX strategy and redefining your role. It is a topic that feels particularly important at the moment, with UX leaders facing plenty of challenges—from under-resourced teams to the ongoing pressure of delivering measurable business benefits. By clarifying your role and articulating a cle…
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Digital Fatigue: The Case for Face-to-Face Meetings
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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 so…
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One of the biggest mistakes I see organizations make when it comes to their internal user experience is how they procure software. Too often, companies buy platforms that are completely unfit for purpose or have been deployed straight out of the box with no configuration. The Problem with Poor Software Procurement This problem is more damaging than…
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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 UX We kick off by exploring some exciting form analysis tools that can revolutionize how …
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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…
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Harness the Power of AI: Transform Your UX Workflow
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Introduction: Embracing AI for UX Productivity In 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 de…
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Make 2025 Your Year of Strategic UX Leadership
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As we step into 2025, it's time for some honest reflection about our roles as design leaders. Despite our best intentions, too many of us still get caught up in the day-to-day minutiae of individual projects, leaving little time to demonstrate our strategic value to the organization. With UX teams under increasing pressure from economic uncertainty…
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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 …
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The State of Design Teams: Could a Fractional Design Lead Be a Partial Answer?
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I've noticed a concerning shift in how organizations are handling their design budgets lately. You're probably seeing it too - companies are tightening their belts, and unfortunately, senior design leaders are often the first casualties of these cuts. It's understandable from a pure numbers perspective as they are the most expensive resource. But l…
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Why We Need to Rethink Invitations to Tender in Digital Projects
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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 Tenders Our main topic for this sho…
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UX in 2025: AI, AR, and a Resurgence in User-Centered Design
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Hey there! Let's talk about what's coming up in UX for 2025. Trust me, we're in for some exciting changes - from AI getting smarter to AR/VR finally hitting its stride. I've been keeping a close eye on these trends, and I'd love to share what I think is coming our way. The Evolution of AI Interfaces For a start AI is breaking free from those basic …
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WP Engine vs WordPress, SUPA, and AI-Powered UX Reviews
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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 Tale We kick things off with a look at the recent controversy between WP Engine and WordPress. I…
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Post-Launch Optimization: 5 Steps to Long-Term Website Success
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Notion Post Launch Optimization Template Signup to a Notion account I've witnessed this scenario countless times: organizations invest substantial resources into launching a new website, only to neglect post-launch optimization once it goes live. This oversight is a critical mistake that can significantly undermine the long-term success of your dig…
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Navigating the Future: AI, UX Leadership, and Content Simplification
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The State of the Industry and AI's Impact We 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…
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Unlock Your Agency’s True Value: From Web Builder to Strategic Consultant
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I've been thinking about an important shift in our industry that we've discussed in the Agency Academy I run. It's time we dive into this subject and explore how we can adapt our approach to stay competitive. The landscape for web design agencies and freelancers is evolving, but don't worry - this isn't about abandoning our core services. Instead, …
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Why Occasional Workshops Aren't Enough: The Case for Self-Learning Resources
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Hi everyone. I run a lot of workshops within organizations. They're great for connecting people, allowing space for questions, and inspiring teams. But here's the thing: I'm not convinced they're the best method of training staff in most cases. Don't get me wrong, workshops have their place and I enjoy running them. They create a shared learning en…
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Transforming UX Teams From Reactive to Strategic
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Transforming UX Teams - From Reactive to Strategic In 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 Leaders I…
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Invitations to Tender: A Flawed System in Need of Change
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Let's have an honest conversation about invitations to tender (ITTs). We've discussed this topic in the Agency Academy, and I believe it's time to address this significant issue in our industry. If you've been in the digital industry for any length of time, you've likely encountered them. They're a staple of the procurement process, especially in l…
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Content Chaos to Clarity: Streamlining Your Website Copy
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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 Creation In this episode, we break …
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Introducing SUPA: The Service You Should Be Offering
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Whether you're part of a UX team, running an agency, or freelancing, there's a service you should be offering. I include myself in this too. This realization struck me while preparing for my design leadership workshop next week (and yes, it's not too late to sign up!). I was thinking about how most design teams are under-resourced, as I mentioned i…
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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 AI We've been exploring the world of AI. We've been experimenting with tools like Claude AI and Fathom, whic…
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We're back with another episode of Boagworld, the longest-running web design podcast in the world. Well, maybe we took a bit of a holiday, but who's counting? In this week’s show we discuss the dangers of perfectionism, the pros and cons of AI platforms and why empathy is the key skill for UX professionals. A Trip to Apple Vision Pro Land However, …
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The Shifting Landscape of UX: What's Really Happening?
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I’m not sure if it’s just me, but it feels like a strange time in UX right now. I’m noticing many layoffs in our field, budget cuts, and a decline in work for external suppliers. It seems we’re going through another shift in our industry, which tends to happen every few years due to technological advancements or economic factors. In this email, I’d…
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