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
Soooooo, some people complain about my using the phrase "pure UX."
Some even refer to people like me as "UX extremists" for stressing such a thing.
Then, THE SAME PEOPLE recommend and endorse the things I and others refer to as pure UX.
This is called WHITEWASHING.
Some even refer to people like me as "UX extremists" for stressing such a thing.
Then, THE SAME PEOPLE recommend and endorse the things I and others refer to as pure UX.
This is called WHITEWASHING.
November 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Soooooo, some people complain about my using the phrase "pure UX."
Some even refer to people like me as "UX extremists" for stressing such a thing.
Then, THE SAME PEOPLE recommend and endorse the things I and others refer to as pure UX.
This is called WHITEWASHING.
Some even refer to people like me as "UX extremists" for stressing such a thing.
Then, THE SAME PEOPLE recommend and endorse the things I and others refer to as pure UX.
This is called WHITEWASHING.
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
It’s one thing for the world of UX to be chock full of poseurs, retrofits, and upstarts (and it is)…. but it’s far worse to enable them. This is the critical flaw at the heart of UX’s current state and poor UX maturity is at the root.
November 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
It’s one thing for the world of UX to be chock full of poseurs, retrofits, and upstarts (and it is)…. but it’s far worse to enable them. This is the critical flaw at the heart of UX’s current state and poor UX maturity is at the root.
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.
Game recognizes game…. making the inability to reconnect respect game a self- indictment.
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Game recognizes game…. making the inability to reconnect respect game a self- indictment.
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
The next KaizenUX Rendezvous is scheduled for Friday, October 31 at 12:15 p.m. EST. Come and join us for coffee house-styled discussion with UXers from around the globe. Hope to see you there!
www.linkedin.com/eve...
www.linkedin.com/eve...
www.linkedin.com
https://www.linkedin.com/events/kaizenuxrendezvous-october20257388585996570910721/
www.linkedin.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The next KaizenUX Rendezvous is scheduled for Friday, October 31 at 12:15 p.m. EST. Come and join us for coffee house-styled discussion with UXers from around the globe. Hope to see you there!
www.linkedin.com/eve...
www.linkedin.com/eve...
Episode 285 of The World of UX now available!
This week features Darren's appearance on the Guidelines podcast in 2020, where he shared his journey into UX and how to manage the development of one's UX acumen, including some under-the-radar factors of great importance.
link.kaizenux.design...
This week features Darren's appearance on the Guidelines podcast in 2020, where he shared his journey into UX and how to manage the development of one's UX acumen, including some under-the-radar factors of great importance.
link.kaizenux.design...
The World of UX, Episode 285: UX Acumen Development Interview (Talk Circuit Series)
The World of UX with Darren Hood · Episode
link.kaizenux.design
October 28, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Episode 285 of The World of UX now available!
This week features Darren's appearance on the Guidelines podcast in 2020, where he shared his journey into UX and how to manage the development of one's UX acumen, including some under-the-radar factors of great importance.
link.kaizenux.design...
This week features Darren's appearance on the Guidelines podcast in 2020, where he shared his journey into UX and how to manage the development of one's UX acumen, including some under-the-radar factors of great importance.
link.kaizenux.design...
Wanting to get a UX job and wanting to succeed as a bonafide UX professional.... are two different things.
October 27, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Wanting to get a UX job and wanting to succeed as a bonafide UX professional.... are two different things.
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
Sharing my appearance on the Beyond the Interface podcast, where I address topics such as the (true) evolution of user experience design, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the challenges faced in UX leadership. Check out this extremely immersive set.
youtu.be/8QKgpL_UqKE...
youtu.be/8QKgpL_UqKE...
Darren Hood: Why UX Needs Gatekeepers: Saving the Discipline from Itself
In this engaging conversation, Darren Hood shares his extensive journey in the UX field, discussing the evolution of user experience design, the importance o...
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Sharing my appearance on the Beyond the Interface podcast, where I address topics such as the (true) evolution of user experience design, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the challenges faced in UX leadership. Check out this extremely immersive set.
youtu.be/8QKgpL_UqKE...
youtu.be/8QKgpL_UqKE...
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
One can't navigate the waters of UX with Figma. It will take something far more substantive — emotional intelligence. And only some will opt in to using this resource. Re-presenting my EQ book recommendation list.
EQ for the win!!!
uxuncensored.medium....
EQ for the win!!!
uxuncensored.medium....
Darren Hood’s Emotional Intelligence Book Recommendation List (for UXers)
by Darren Hood, MSUXD, MSIME
uxuncensored.medium.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:24 PM
One can't navigate the waters of UX with Figma. It will take something far more substantive — emotional intelligence. And only some will opt in to using this resource. Re-presenting my EQ book recommendation list.
EQ for the win!!!
uxuncensored.medium....
EQ for the win!!!
uxuncensored.medium....
Another new offering from KaizenTees — the I ❤️ Pure UX Ceramic Mug. Get yours today!
darren-kaizenux-tees...
darren-kaizenux-tees...
I ❤️ Pure UX Ceramic Mug
Start your day with a burst of color and joy with our ceramic mug. Dishwasher and microwave safe, this white mug features a vibrant interior, adding an element of surprise to your daily routine. Available in 11 oz and 15 oz sizes.
darren-kaizenux-tees-shop.fourthwall.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Another new offering from KaizenTees — the I ❤️ Pure UX Ceramic Mug. Get yours today!
darren-kaizenux-tees...
darren-kaizenux-tees...
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...
And now for our second new offering — the UX/UI? No Such Thing Circle t-shirt. Get yours today!
kaizentees.com/produ...
kaizentees.com/produ...
UX/UI? No Such Thing Circle Design T-Shirt
Embrace sustainability and style with our new Unisex Staple Eco T-Shirt. Made with 100% recycled materials, this lightweight shirt features a unique circular design with the bold message 'UX/UI? No Such Thing.' Perfect for any season and a must...
kaizentees.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:16 PM
And now for our second new offering — the UX/UI? No Such Thing Circle t-shirt. Get yours today!
kaizentees.com/produ...
kaizentees.com/produ...
Folks have often told me that if I put some of my most common sayings on a t-shirt, they'd buy it. Check out the new "UX/UI... No Such Thing" oversized t-shirt from Kaizen Tees. ;-)
kaizentees.com/produ...
kaizentees.com/produ...
UX/UI... No Such Thing Oversized Tee
Embark on a pixelated journey with our 100% organic cotton UX/UI... No Such Thing Pixel Quest Oversized Tee. Features a unique minimalistic game design and eco-conscious fashion. Get the message out in a fun way.
kaizentees.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Folks have often told me that if I put some of my most common sayings on a t-shirt, they'd buy it. Check out the new "UX/UI... No Such Thing" oversized t-shirt from Kaizen Tees. ;-)
kaizentees.com/produ...
kaizentees.com/produ...
I’ve been advocating for the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) among UX professionals for several years now. Here’s my current list of favorite books on the subject.
link.kaizenux.design...
link.kaizenux.design...
Darren Hood’s Emotional Intelligence Book Recommendation List (for UXers)
by Darren Hood, MSUXD, MSIME
link.kaizenux.design
September 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I’ve been advocating for the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) among UX professionals for several years now. Here’s my current list of favorite books on the subject.
link.kaizenux.design...
link.kaizenux.design...
Episode 280 of The World of UX is now available! In the latest episode, Darren provides a brief overview of UX maturity with a focus on the problems that result from being deficient. Ready for the challenge? Check it out.
link.kaizenux.design...
link.kaizenux.design...
The World of UX, Episode 280: 5 Consequnces of UX Maturity Deficiency
The World of UX with Darren Hood · Episode
link.kaizenux.design
September 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Episode 280 of The World of UX is now available! In the latest episode, Darren provides a brief overview of UX maturity with a focus on the problems that result from being deficient. Ready for the challenge? Check it out.
link.kaizenux.design...
link.kaizenux.design...
Have you ever discovered a nail in your car’s tire? Are you aware of the potential risk of driving with a nail in your tire? This KaizenUX blog post covers how this is relevant to growing in your UX development.
link.kaizenux.design...
link.kaizenux.design...
You Have a Nail in Your Tire (or “How to Recognize and Digest Constructive Input for UXers”)
by Darren Hood, MSUXD, MSIME
link.kaizenux.design
September 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Have you ever discovered a nail in your car’s tire? Are you aware of the potential risk of driving with a nail in your tire? This KaizenUX blog post covers how this is relevant to growing in your UX development.
link.kaizenux.design...
link.kaizenux.design...
Episode 279 of The World of UX is now available!
This segment of Darren's Talk Circuit series takes us back to 2020 and highlights a Q & A segment with Nouha Jaafar of the Google Developer Groups (Carthage). Check out this energetic and candid session.
link.kaizenux.design...
This segment of Darren's Talk Circuit series takes us back to 2020 and highlights a Q & A segment with Nouha Jaafar of the Google Developer Groups (Carthage). Check out this energetic and candid session.
link.kaizenux.design...
The World of UX, Episode 279: Q & A w/the Google Developer Groups and Nouha Jaafar
The World of UX with Darren Hood · Episode
link.kaizenux.design
September 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Episode 279 of The World of UX is now available!
This segment of Darren's Talk Circuit series takes us back to 2020 and highlights a Q & A segment with Nouha Jaafar of the Google Developer Groups (Carthage). Check out this energetic and candid session.
link.kaizenux.design...
This segment of Darren's Talk Circuit series takes us back to 2020 and highlights a Q & A segment with Nouha Jaafar of the Google Developer Groups (Carthage). Check out this energetic and candid session.
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.