Ep 35 - What is User Experience (UX)? Featuring Vitalik Demin, Software Program Manager, Information Architect at ZenCash

In this episode, Aaron Mangal explores the concept of User
Experience (UX) with Vitalik Demin, Software Program
Manager, and Information Architect at ZenCash.


Vitalik Demin, Software Program Manager, Information
Architect at ZenCash


"My passion is to fix and improve processes and technologies that
are broken and not intuitive to use. I see process end-to-end and
drive inefficiencies out by re-engineering the flow, building
technology solutions, and ensuring the user experience is
impeccable."


User Experience (UX) and design are separate (albeit greatly
related) disciplines. The science of UX has not always been as
obvious as it seems today and has shifted into such force that it
has it's own specialization and job role in today's startups.


According to usability.gov, a website on UX maintained by the
Department of Health and Human Services:


User experience (UX) focuses on having a deep understanding of
users, what they need, what they value, their abilities, and also
their limitations.  It also takes into account the business
goals and objectives of the group managing the project. UX best
practices promote improving the quality of the user’s interaction
with and perceptions of your product and any related services.


Peter Morville, veteran UX and information architect made a User
Experience Honeycomb to visually explain the concept:


User Experience Honeycomb


We greatly enjoyed learning about this super important yet often
overlooked construct not only within Cryptocurrency but the
digital (web) experience as a whole. 


We hope you enjoy learning more about the philosophy and
principles behind User Experience (UX).


After listening to this episode you will learn:


How Vitalik first learned UX and developed his craft

The origin story of Vitalik discovering ZenCash and how he
decided to work for them (due diligence process)

What some great (and not so great) examples of UX are

What ZenCash is and what they do

The connection between ZenCash and IOHK

The difference between designers and User Experience
professionals

Why brands should maintain control end-to-end for their
marketing (see Samsung S9 phone ad example)

Best practices and other insights around approaching User
Experience (UX)



For show notes and more please visit: LAB Radio