The Why Behind Sample Size: How Many People Do You Really Need to Test With?
How many participants do you need to test in order to make valid research claims? In this episode, we dive deep into the science and psychology behind sample sizes in user testing. Whether you're working with five users or five hundred, the number you choose can shape the story your research tells—and how credible your findings appear to stakeholders.Why sample size is one of the most misunderstood elements in product researchThe psychological impact of “too few” vs. “just enough” users in high-stakes design reviewsWhether the popular idea that "you only need to test five users" is a myth or a useful research guidelineHow to determine the right number of participants based on your research goalsBy the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer, more confident approach to choosing sample sizes. This will help you create better, more intuitive, and scientifically sound designs.Find The Design Psychologist on your favorite podcasting platforms (or share this link with a friend): https://designpsychologist.buzzsprout.com/2395044/follow
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How to Decode Conversation: A Paradigm Shift in Qualitative Insight and Human Understanding (with Indi Young)
In this episode of The Design Psychologist, we dive deep into the world of qualitative research and human-centered design with legendary UX thinker Indi Young. If you've ever felt like your user interviews only skim the surface—or if you've relied too heavily on personas—you might be missing the most powerful insights. Indi joins us to explore how deep, non-judgmental listening can revolutionize your understanding of users and, ultimately, your design outcomes. Together, we tackle questions like:What is deep listening, and why is it essential in design research? Why do traditional interviews often fail to uncover what truly drives user behavior? What are thinking styles, and how are they more effective than personas? How can designers move from interpreting behavior to understanding internal reasoning? By the end of this episode, you’ll see user research—and your role as a designer—through a completely new lens. You'll be equipped to listen more deeply, think more critically, and create more human-centered solutions.Find The Design Psychologist on your favorite podcasting platforms (or share this link with a friend): https://designpsychologist.buzzsprout.com/2395044/follow
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Why It Feels Right: Affordance and the Mind’s Hidden Expectations
Why do some products feel natural the moment you touch them—while others are baffling from the start? In this episode, we explore the psychology of affordances—those subtle cues that tell us what to do next, without saying a word. From door handles to digital apps, we break down how great design speaks directly to human intuition.You’ll learn:The psychological principles that make interfaces feel “just right”What Don Norman meant by affordances, signifiers, and anti-affordancesHow to avoid common design traps that confuse usersReal-world examples that reveal the power of creating an intuitive user experienceBy the end of this episode, you’ll start seeing design in a whole new way—and be ready to create products that people instantly understand.
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Designing for Risk: What Aviation and AR Reveal about Attention, Disaster, and Human Factors (with Chris Wickens)
In this episode, Thomas interviews Dr. Chris Wickens, a pioneer in cognitive engineering and human factors, and they discuss how designers can reduce errors and enhance decision-making when lives are on the line. They delve into the high-stakes world of design psychology for critical environments—think operating rooms, airplane cockpits, and military control systems. Together, they explore the real science of attention, what causes overload and confusion in high-pressure moments, and how augmented reality could revolutionize user interfaces in critical settings. Whether you're designing for surgeons, pilots, or autonomous vehicles, this episode is packed with essential takeaways from decades of research in applied cognitive science.🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What every designer should know about how human attention actually worksWhy traditional design approaches often fail in high-pressure contextsHow to reduce cognitive load and prevent life-threatening mistakesThe surprising ways augmented reality is shaping the future of human-machine interactionLessons from the deep history of human factors and applied psychologyFind The Design Psychologist on your favorite podcasting platforms (or share this link with a friend): https://designpsychologist.buzzsprout.com/2395044/follow If today’s conversation helped you think more deeply about your work, I’d love it if you left a quick rating or review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast listening app. It helps more thoughtful designers discover the show—and keeps these meaningful insights coming your way. Just a star rating or a sentence or two makes a big difference. Thanks for listening!
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How to Find the Next Big Idea: Deductive vs. Inductive Thinking in Product Research
How do you figure out what features to build into your design? How do you get those magical insights that actually improve your product—versus just shifting things around?In this episode, we unpack one key distinction that helps design psychologists and UX researchers choose the right method at the right time: inductive vs. deductive research.Imagine you have two different ideas for how to design an app for restaurant waitstaff. You think of adding some possible features, like a picture-based layout, or a list of incoming customers. So—do you give the waitstaff a prototype of each app version and see which version performs better (deductive research)? Or do you systematically observe the actual waitstaff in action before even deciding which features to build (inductive)?This choice is about more than methodology—it shapes the kinds of insights you get, and how impactful your design ultimately becomes.🔍 You’ll learn:When inductive research unlocks hidden insights you didn’t even know to look forWhy deductive research is great for making clear decisions—fastHow your design phase should guide your research methodWhat to consider when you're short on time or budgetAnd how to avoid a common trap: testing too earlyBy the end, you’ll know how to orient your research approach based on where you are in the design journey—so you can uncover insights that actually move the needle.
Acerca de The Design Psychologist | Psychology for UX, Product, Service, Instructional, Interior, and Game Designers
Welcome to The Design Psychologist, a podcast where we explore the intersection of psychology and design. The show is hosted by Thomas Watkins, a design psychologist who has spent years applying behavioral science principles to the creation of digital products. We sit down with a variety of experts who apply psychology in different ways to the design of the world around us. Thomas uses his expertise to guide conversations that provide practical advice while illuminating the theory behind why designs succeed. Tune in if you are a design practitioner who seeks to understand your work on a deeper level and craft experiences that are intuitive, effective, and delightful.
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