Podcasts are perhaps the best way to keep yourself
updated with what’s going on out there in the world (not only for
design-related matters) without actually having to sit still and consume the
content actively.
In other words, podcasts are your ultimate, on-the-go
information vehicle. And it just so happens that UX design is no vacuum in the
podcasting world. There are some really great shows out there, and not only for
news, but genuinely thought-provoking and inspiring design content.
Here’s our list of the 10 best
UX podcasts.
(Note: Although we do provide direct links leading to each podcast on this list, the best way to find and subscribe to them is to actually use a podcasting tool. Apple’s Podcasts will work great, or Overcast if you prefer something more independent.)
1. 99% Invisible
Calling this one simply a podcast is an understatement.
99% Invisible is a full-fledged, professionally crafted design show in audio
form.
Narrated by Roman Mars, 99% Invisible is the place to go for inspirational and thought-provoking stories from the design world as a whole, while also touching upon a number of UX-related issues in the process.
2. UX Podcast
If you’re after some UX design podcasts, then you
should indeed start with the one that’s simply titled UX Podcast.
This is a long-running show, with more than 170
episodes released so far (at the time of writing). Hosted by James Royal-Lawson
and Per Axbom, UX Podcast is a twice-monthly conversation with a different
expert each time.
These conversations touch upon a number of different
topics, from raw UX design, to business implications of design, to technology,
and everything in between. This podcast is an overall great listen if you want
to learn new perspectives coming from two hosts representing the European
school of design (the podcast is recorded in Stockholm).
A good episode to start? How about #125 with Don Norman. The name should ring a bell (hint: he’s the person who first coined the term “UX design”).
3. Design Matters with Debbie Millman
One of the longest-running podcasts about design — if not the longest running — currently at the 282-episode mark.
Debbie Millman is master when it comes to talking with
people she has on the show in a way that tackles various fields of design. The
guests come from different design backgrounds, but not only design. There are
also authors, writers, art directors, design consultants, filmmakers, and more
— overall, people you would have not otherwise heard from on different
podcasts.
4. Users Know
This might not be your classic, squeaky-clean podcast
in terms of language, but it’s a great UX podcast nonetheless.
Hosted by Laura Klein and Kate Rutter, this podcast is
a series of lively talks about various UX-related topics. Or, as the authors
like to say themselves, the podcast is where they “drink and fight about what
is wrong with user experience design.”
5. Wireframe
Khoi Vinh is a designer, blogger, and a Senior Director of Product Design for Adobe XD. He runs Subtraction, a blog about design, technology and culture and also hosts “Wireframe” podcast. In every episode you will listen to a behind-the-scenes story about interaction design. Currently the podcast has 12 episodes in total and covers topics ranging from design ethics to design disasters.
6. Shop Talk
Shop Talk is a podcast
about front-end design and UX. In each episode, the hosts Chris Coyier and Dave
Rupert invite a guest to talk on a few related topics. The Shop Talk has 100
episodes in total with each episode is about an hour long.
7. UI Breakfast Podcast
UI Breakfast Podcast, hosted by Jane Portman, is yet
another interview show (probably the most popular form of podcast, overall). It
explores the topics of UI and UX design, marketing, and even product
strategies.
The guests on the show come from many different
backgrounds, including UX design, SaaS products, marketing, and other fields.
New episodes come out every week or so, and more than 145 have aired so far. This is surely one of the
more regular podcasts on this list.
8. UXpod
UXpod — although its name suggests a strict UX focus —
how everything surrounding us has been crafted with UX design in mind. Each
episode of this UX design podcast features a
different expert chiming in, and although we haven’t seen a new episode in a
couple of months, let’s hope that UXpod will soon be back with even more great
insights.
9. Let’s Make Mistakes
Let’s Make Mistakes is a design show hosted by Mike Monteiro, Liam Campbell, and Steph Monette. Each episode features a guest from the design world who shares their perspective on various related matters.
Even though there have been more than 180 episodes already, new ones don’t come out too
frequently — usually forcing us to wait between one and six months.
10. Design Life
Design Life is weekly UX
design podcast, hosted by Charli Marie (designer at ConvertKit) and
Femke (designer at Uber). These two somehow manage to run a successful podcast
on top of each having a full-time job.
The conversational tone of the show makes it very
pleasing to listen to, and an overall great way to learn about design as it
relates to the challenges that young creatives face.
The topics covered are not only strict, hands-on design
talks, but also get into things like mastermind groups, side projects, tech and
gadgets for designers, job hunting, and more.
New episodes come out very regularly, with over 160 of them aired already.
What’s your favorite?
These 10 UX design podcasts
will surely keep you occupied for a while. Of course, we don’t expect you to
subscribe to all of them at once, but you should find at least a handful of
gems among them. My personal favorite — 99% Invisible. What’s yours?
BONUS UPDATE: We’d also like to make a shout-out to another one of our favorite UX podcasts, User Defenders. Tune in to hear inspiring interviews with UX superheroes with host Jason Ogle.