Darren Hood (KaizenUX and Host of The World of UX podcast)
@darrenhood.bsky.social
BiPOC UX professional of 30+ years | University Professor | Podcaster (The World of UX) | Author | Photographer
To neglect to take a stance for what is pure about UX is to empower the opposition and weaken our core. We need to distinguish a difference between that which is truly UX and that which pretends to be. Remember, at the core of who we are, UXers are problem solvers.... NOT performers or entertainers.
December 5, 2025 at 8:40 PM
To neglect to take a stance for what is pure about UX is to empower the opposition and weaken our core. We need to distinguish a difference between that which is truly UX and that which pretends to be. Remember, at the core of who we are, UXers are problem solvers.... NOT performers or entertainers.
I often cringe when someone is quick to say they disagree with something or someone. Why? Very often, they don't understand what they claim to disagree with, can't tell you why, or just have a difference of opinion. Beware the cult of disagreement. It robs many of critical thinking's benefits.
November 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I often cringe when someone is quick to say they disagree with something or someone. Why? Very often, they don't understand what they claim to disagree with, can't tell you why, or just have a difference of opinion. Beware the cult of disagreement. It robs many of critical thinking's benefits.
One of the biggest challenges that faces UX professionals involves the fact that we're trying to communicate and manage what amount to abstract elements to our stakeholders.
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 PM
One of the biggest challenges that faces UX professionals involves the fact that we're trying to communicate and manage what amount to abstract elements to our stakeholders.
Episode 288 of The World of UX is available!
In this episode from the UXR Minds podcast, Darren is interviewed by Dale Husband. They discuss the state of UX today and how to overcome the misinformation that overshadows the discipline.
link.kaizenux.design/woux288
In this episode from the UXR Minds podcast, Darren is interviewed by Dale Husband. They discuss the state of UX today and how to overcome the misinformation that overshadows the discipline.
link.kaizenux.design/woux288
November 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Episode 288 of The World of UX is available!
In this episode from the UXR Minds podcast, Darren is interviewed by Dale Husband. They discuss the state of UX today and how to overcome the misinformation that overshadows the discipline.
link.kaizenux.design/woux288
In this episode from the UXR Minds podcast, Darren is interviewed by Dale Husband. They discuss the state of UX today and how to overcome the misinformation that overshadows the discipline.
link.kaizenux.design/woux288
Episode 287 of The World of UX is now available!
How do you find the right people for a balanced, effective, and powerful UX team? What traits and skills do you look for? This week, Darren revisits the topic from the TryMyUI conference (Trymata) in 2016.
link.kaizenux.design/woux287
How do you find the right people for a balanced, effective, and powerful UX team? What traits and skills do you look for? This week, Darren revisits the topic from the TryMyUI conference (Trymata) in 2016.
link.kaizenux.design/woux287
November 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Episode 287 of The World of UX is now available!
How do you find the right people for a balanced, effective, and powerful UX team? What traits and skills do you look for? This week, Darren revisits the topic from the TryMyUI conference (Trymata) in 2016.
link.kaizenux.design/woux287
How do you find the right people for a balanced, effective, and powerful UX team? What traits and skills do you look for? This week, Darren revisits the topic from the TryMyUI conference (Trymata) in 2016.
link.kaizenux.design/woux287
Attitude and passion CAN be faked.... especially when the evaluator(s) lack the associated acumen. This is part of what dooms and threatens the world of UX today.
November 6, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Attitude and passion CAN be faked.... especially when the evaluator(s) lack the associated acumen. This is part of what dooms and threatens the world of UX today.
Episode 286 of The World of UX is now available!
This week features a talk that's been stricken from the organizer's records. Was something wrong? Nope. Ready for some hard truths? Check out UX Domain Knowledge: The Journey, Importance, and Value Proposition!
link.kaizenux.design/woux286
This week features a talk that's been stricken from the organizer's records. Was something wrong? Nope. Ready for some hard truths? Check out UX Domain Knowledge: The Journey, Importance, and Value Proposition!
link.kaizenux.design/woux286
November 4, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Episode 286 of The World of UX is now available!
This week features a talk that's been stricken from the organizer's records. Was something wrong? Nope. Ready for some hard truths? Check out UX Domain Knowledge: The Journey, Importance, and Value Proposition!
link.kaizenux.design/woux286
This week features a talk that's been stricken from the organizer's records. Was something wrong? Nope. Ready for some hard truths? Check out UX Domain Knowledge: The Journey, Importance, and Value Proposition!
link.kaizenux.design/woux286
Episode 284 of The World of UX is now available!
This week features a panel discussion from Dexignaire's 2021 Design Development Days Conference focusing on UX-Driven AI was discussed with Darren and Harshit Agrawal of Adobe.
link.kaizenux.design/woux284
This week features a panel discussion from Dexignaire's 2021 Design Development Days Conference focusing on UX-Driven AI was discussed with Darren and Harshit Agrawal of Adobe.
link.kaizenux.design/woux284
October 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Episode 284 of The World of UX is now available!
This week features a panel discussion from Dexignaire's 2021 Design Development Days Conference focusing on UX-Driven AI was discussed with Darren and Harshit Agrawal of Adobe.
link.kaizenux.design/woux284
This week features a panel discussion from Dexignaire's 2021 Design Development Days Conference focusing on UX-Driven AI was discussed with Darren and Harshit Agrawal of Adobe.
link.kaizenux.design/woux284
Episode 283 of The World of UX is now available!
Many seek to enter UX without understanding some of the required personality traits. In this slightly biographical set, Darren talks about the importance of subscribing to excellence and the associated benefits. Enjoy!
link.kaizenux.design/woux283
Many seek to enter UX without understanding some of the required personality traits. In this slightly biographical set, Darren talks about the importance of subscribing to excellence and the associated benefits. Enjoy!
link.kaizenux.design/woux283
October 14, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Episode 283 of The World of UX is now available!
Many seek to enter UX without understanding some of the required personality traits. In this slightly biographical set, Darren talks about the importance of subscribing to excellence and the associated benefits. Enjoy!
link.kaizenux.design/woux283
Many seek to enter UX without understanding some of the required personality traits. In this slightly biographical set, Darren talks about the importance of subscribing to excellence and the associated benefits. Enjoy!
link.kaizenux.design/woux283
Episode 282 of The World of UX is now available!
This week, shares his talk from the Value UX Conference, focusing on proper definitions of empathy and the importance of exercising empathy beyond UX's stereotypical norms.
link.kaizenux.design/woux282
This week, shares his talk from the Value UX Conference, focusing on proper definitions of empathy and the importance of exercising empathy beyond UX's stereotypical norms.
link.kaizenux.design/woux282
October 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Episode 282 of The World of UX is now available!
This week, shares his talk from the Value UX Conference, focusing on proper definitions of empathy and the importance of exercising empathy beyond UX's stereotypical norms.
link.kaizenux.design/woux282
This week, shares his talk from the Value UX Conference, focusing on proper definitions of empathy and the importance of exercising empathy beyond UX's stereotypical norms.
link.kaizenux.design/woux282
The pivot to specializations has generated great harm upon the discipline. In addition, this also reduced appreciation for expertise. Thankfully, though slow, there is a move back to hiring UX generalists (i.e., those who can do all the things).
October 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The pivot to specializations has generated great harm upon the discipline. In addition, this also reduced appreciation for expertise. Thankfully, though slow, there is a move back to hiring UX generalists (i.e., those who can do all the things).
One doesn't need a degree to succeed in UX, but learning without structure OR with faux structure fosters shipwreck. However you decide to proceed, make sure you choose wisely, as it will determine if you become part of UX's problem or its solution.
#uxeducation #realuxtalk
#uxeducation #realuxtalk
October 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM
One doesn't need a degree to succeed in UX, but learning without structure OR with faux structure fosters shipwreck. However you decide to proceed, make sure you choose wisely, as it will determine if you become part of UX's problem or its solution.
#uxeducation #realuxtalk
#uxeducation #realuxtalk
This week, Darren shares a talk from 2021 for the Students of UXD, where he demystified and provided several insights about UX education and how to optimize your learning journey. Check it out.
REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources.
link.kaizenux.design...
REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources.
link.kaizenux.design...
September 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
This week, Darren shares a talk from 2021 for the Students of UXD, where he demystified and provided several insights about UX education and how to optimize your learning journey. Check it out.
REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources.
link.kaizenux.design...
REMINDER: Video is available for this episode via select resources.
link.kaizenux.design...
I once participated in a conversation about the challenges with UX hiring. It didn't go well. It's too bad critical thinking is so neglected.
NOTE: Points that appear to be contrary are actually supplementary. Make sure you broaden your willingness to examine what appear to be counterpoints.
NOTE: Points that appear to be contrary are actually supplementary. Make sure you broaden your willingness to examine what appear to be counterpoints.
September 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I once participated in a conversation about the challenges with UX hiring. It didn't go well. It's too bad critical thinking is so neglected.
NOTE: Points that appear to be contrary are actually supplementary. Make sure you broaden your willingness to examine what appear to be counterpoints.
NOTE: Points that appear to be contrary are actually supplementary. Make sure you broaden your willingness to examine what appear to be counterpoints.
Some people look at an interface and think they can judge the level of UX optimization based on how aesthetically pleasing it is. WRONG!!!!!!!!!
One will NEVER know how solid a user experience is UNTIL they take the time to examine it from a task flow-based perspective.
One will NEVER know how solid a user experience is UNTIL they take the time to examine it from a task flow-based perspective.
September 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Some people look at an interface and think they can judge the level of UX optimization based on how aesthetically pleasing it is. WRONG!!!!!!!!!
One will NEVER know how solid a user experience is UNTIL they take the time to examine it from a task flow-based perspective.
One will NEVER know how solid a user experience is UNTIL they take the time to examine it from a task flow-based perspective.
"Better" portfolio ≠ Better UXer.
Time to stop drinking and spreading the associated Kool-aid mindset.
#ux #realuxtalk
Time to stop drinking and spreading the associated Kool-aid mindset.
#ux #realuxtalk
September 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
"Better" portfolio ≠ Better UXer.
Time to stop drinking and spreading the associated Kool-aid mindset.
#ux #realuxtalk
Time to stop drinking and spreading the associated Kool-aid mindset.
#ux #realuxtalk
A picture says a thousand words. ;-)
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday!
September 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
A picture says a thousand words. ;-)
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday!
For many people, valuing debate helps them give "life" to senseless topics.... such as this. Synthetic vs. real users is NOT a debate. It's a conversation for those without skill and no intent on working to obtain it. It makes zero sense.
#ux #realuxtalk
#ux #realuxtalk
September 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
For many people, valuing debate helps them give "life" to senseless topics.... such as this. Synthetic vs. real users is NOT a debate. It's a conversation for those without skill and no intent on working to obtain it. It makes zero sense.
#ux #realuxtalk
#ux #realuxtalk
Don't be a cancer cell.
September 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Don't be a cancer cell.
Considering how people behave, you'd think this is a best-seller.
August 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Considering how people behave, you'd think this is a best-seller.
Shame on EVERYONE who bids this guy and his racist vitriol Godspeed. And yup... he's talking about me. He knows nothing about me as an employee, my reputation or work in academia, a person in general, and according to many, knows nothing about Kaizen.
August 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Shame on EVERYONE who bids this guy and his racist vitriol Godspeed. And yup... he's talking about me. He knows nothing about me as an employee, my reputation or work in academia, a person in general, and according to many, knows nothing about Kaizen.
Understanding and embracing UX fundamentals is a grounding factor.
It's grounding to the extent that being rooted in fundamentals results in such individuals never.... going.... rogue.
It's grounding to the extent that being rooted in fundamentals results in such individuals never.... going.... rogue.
July 29, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Understanding and embracing UX fundamentals is a grounding factor.
It's grounding to the extent that being rooted in fundamentals results in such individuals never.... going.... rogue.
It's grounding to the extent that being rooted in fundamentals results in such individuals never.... going.... rogue.
Saving salary is not the only reason many companies opt to hire less experienced people for their UX teams. It's a reflection of the lack of leadership skills that plagues our discipline.
#justsayin #realuxtalk
#justsayin #realuxtalk
July 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Saving salary is not the only reason many companies opt to hire less experienced people for their UX teams. It's a reflection of the lack of leadership skills that plagues our discipline.
#justsayin #realuxtalk
#justsayin #realuxtalk
Besides the fact there's no such thing as "UX/UI," it should also be known that the vast majority of jobs presenting such titles are (wait for it).... ACTUALLY UI DESIGN ROLES THAT (on purpose or indirectly) MENTION UX TO MISGUIDE FOLKS INTO SWEETENING THE POT OF THEIR PERCEPTIONS!!!
#realuxtalk
#realuxtalk
July 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Besides the fact there's no such thing as "UX/UI," it should also be known that the vast majority of jobs presenting such titles are (wait for it).... ACTUALLY UI DESIGN ROLES THAT (on purpose or indirectly) MENTION UX TO MISGUIDE FOLKS INTO SWEETENING THE POT OF THEIR PERCEPTIONS!!!
#realuxtalk
#realuxtalk
For a discipline's activity to revolve around how things are labeled and grouped, the inability to settle on accurate and useful labels and groupings is SELF-INCRIMINATING AND FOSTERS DEVALUATION.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
June 19, 2025 at 7:15 PM
For a discipline's activity to revolve around how things are labeled and grouped, the inability to settle on accurate and useful labels and groupings is SELF-INCRIMINATING AND FOSTERS DEVALUATION.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.