Humans First: Design-Driven Strategy

Visual Logic
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Humans First is a product strategy and UX design podcast for tech and software leaders who want to build better digital products. We explore how human-centered design shapes business strategy, improves user experience, and drives innovation. Topics include the cost of UX, moving beyond visual design, cross-industry challenges, and building design-forward teams and design cultures. Whether you're scaling products or shifting culture, we give you practical insights from the front lines of product design. Learn more about Humans First and Visual Logic at visuallogic.com/podcast.

  1. Most Teams Make Personas. Few Build Worlds.

    10월 21일

    Most Teams Make Personas. Few Build Worlds.

    Personas, journey maps, and architecture diagrams were never the goal. They’re props in a bigger story. In this episode, we explore what it really means to move beyond UX deliverables and start building the modeled worlds that make design decisions clear, believable, and scalable. We talk about why personas fell out of favor, what worldbuilding looks like in practice, and how tools like journey maps, information architecture, and service blueprints become part of a single living system that guides smarter products. 🎧 Listen now on Humans First and subscribe for more insights into design, strategy, and leadership. — To learn more about Visual Logic’s Humans First approach, ⁠visit visuallogic.com. Since 1988, Visual Logic has been a trusted User Experience partner for leading companies–helping guide product strategy, and designing stand out user interfaces & customer experiences. Our process helps simplify complex products and leads to elegant, easy-to-use solutions that your customers & end-users will love. Getting to simple is hard. We’ll help you build & launch with confidence. For more Humans First, visit: ⁠www.visuallogic.com/podcast⁠ — Keywords: UX design, worldbuilding, personas, journey maps, information architecture, service blueprints, design thinking, product strategy, human-centered design, product teams, user experience, design process, design systems, user research, modeling users, cross-functional alignment, storytelling in design

    41분
  2. The Tradeoff Every Product Team Faces: Global vs Local Optimization

    9월 5일

    The Tradeoff Every Product Team Faces: Global vs Local Optimization

    Every roadmap hides a tough dilemma: do you slow down to align with global systems that scale, or move fast with local solutions that solve the problem today? Push too hard in either direction and you risk rigid platforms that can’t adapt—or fragmented experiences that collapse under growth. In this episode of Humans First, we break down global vs. local optimization: What these terms really mean in product designWhen local solutions spark speed and creativityWhen global consistency prevents user frustration and costly reworkWhy giving teams a shared language for these tradeoffs changes the conversation 🎧 Listen now on Humans First and subscribe for more insights into design, strategy, and leadership. — To learn more about Visual Logic’s Humans First approach, ⁠visit visuallogic.com. Since 1988, Visual Logic has been a trusted User Experience partner for leading companies–helping guide product strategy, and designing stand out user interfaces & customer experiences. Our process helps simplify complex products and leads to elegant, easy-to-use solutions that your customers & end-users will love. Getting to simple is hard. We’ll help you build & launch with confidence. For more Humans First, visit: ⁠www.visuallogic.com/podcast⁠ — Keywords: UX design, product strategy, global optimization, local optimization, design systems, user experience, product leadership, design maturity, human-centered design, product roadmaps

    38분
  3. The Fingerprint of a Project: Why Great UX Looks Different on Every Project

    8월 7일

    The Fingerprint of a Project: Why Great UX Looks Different on Every Project

    What if your biggest frustration on a project isn’t the timeline, the tools, or the team, but a mismatch between what’s possible and what you’re expecting? Designers often walk in hoping to “do it right”: full research, deep modeling, layered design. But most projects aren’t built for 100%. And pushing for a perfect process anyway? That’s how good designers burn out—or get ignored. In this episode, we introduce the idea of a project fingerprint—the unique mix of constraints, appetite, and maturity that shapes what’s achievable. We’ll explore how to recognize it, how far to push, and how to stop chasing perfection in a world that rarely allows it. 🎧 Listen now on Humans First and subscribe for more insights into design, strategy, and leadership. — To learn more about Visual Logic’s Humans First approach, ⁠visit visuallogic.com. Since 1988, Visual Logic has been a trusted User Experience partner for leading companies–helping guide product strategy, and designing stand out user interfaces & customer experiences. Our process helps simplify complex products and leads to elegant, easy-to-use solutions that your customers & end-users will love. Getting to simple is hard. We’ll help you build & launch with confidence. For more Humans First, visit: ⁠www.visuallogic.com/podcast⁠ — Keywords: UX strategy, design maturity, product leadership, UX burnout, human-centered design, adaptive UX, design constraints, team alignment, enterprise design, design influence

    42분
  4. How Much Does UX Cost? A Real-World Guide to Strategic UX Investment

    7월 8일

    How Much Does UX Cost? A Real-World Guide to Strategic UX Investment

    Everyone wants better UX. But when it’s time to invest, the questions start: “Why does it cost so much?” “Can’t we just hire one designer?” “Isn’t this just a UI refresh?” In this episode of Humans First, we pull back the curtain on what good design really costs—and why most teams underestimate it. From $25K quick wins to $6M embedded partnerships, we break down the five biggest factors that drive the cost of UX design—and the hidden costs of getting it wrong. You’ll hear real stories, real numbers, and hard-won lessons from working with companies who’ve tried it both ways. If you’re budgeting for UX, building a product, or just wondering where design fits into your strategy—this episode will help you see the full picture. 🎧 Listen now on Humans First and subscribe for more insights into design, strategy, and leadership. — To learn more about Visual Logic’s Humans First approach, ⁠visit visuallogic.com. Since 1988, Visual Logic has been a trusted User Experience partner for leading companies–helping guide product strategy, and designing stand out user interfaces & customer experiences. Our process helps simplify complex products and leads to elegant, easy-to-use solutions that your customers & end-users will love. Getting to simple is hard. We’ll help you build & launch with confidence. For more Humans First, visit: ⁠www.visuallogic.com/podcast⁠ — Keywords: UX cost, UX pricing, human-centered design, product strategy, design ROI, embedded design teams, UX investment, design leadership, hiring designers, UX team structure, enterprise UX, design maturity

    35분
  5. From Surface to Strategy: Why UX Belongs at the Leadership Table

    6월 17일

    From Surface to Strategy: Why UX Belongs at the Leadership Table

    Thinking your product needs a “redesign?” Don’t miss the deeper layers of UX design. In this episode, we break down Jesse James Garrett's "Elements of UX" and explain why focusing only on surface-level design can lead to strategic failure. Discover why neglecting the deeper layers—skeleton (wireframes, interactions), structure (information architecture, content strategy), scope (features, functionality), and strategy (user needs, business goals, technology)—can negatively impact your product's success. Learn how design thinking at a strategic level can uncover root problems, build user trust, and drive market share, far beyond superficial aesthetics. Hosts Andrew Sladky, Andy Van Fleet, and Nick Bray share stories from decades of UX work, discuss how human-centered design should influence business strategy, and offer practical ways to assess your own team's UX maturity. 🎧 Listen now on Humans First and subscribe for more insights into design, strategy, and leadership. — To learn more about Visual Logic’s Humans First approach, ⁠visit visuallogic.com. Since 1988, Visual Logic has been a trusted User Experience partner for leading companies–helping guide product strategy, and designing stand out user interfaces & customer experiences. Our process helps simplify complex products and leads to elegant, easy-to-use solutions that your customers & end-users will love. Getting to simple is hard. We’ll help you build & launch with confidence. For more Humans First, visit: ⁠www.visuallogic.com/podcast⁠ — Keywords: UX design, user experience strategy, Jesse James Garrett, product design, human-centered design, design thinking, design maturity, product strategy, design leadership, visual design, UX layers, design team building

    32분
  6. Overcoming Fear in Consulting: Lessons from Getting Naked

    5월 19일

    Overcoming Fear in Consulting: Lessons from Getting Naked

    Why is radical transparency the secret weapon of the best consultants? In this episode of Humans First, Andy Van Fleet, Kurt Vander Wiel, and Kayla Byington discuss Getting Naked by Patrick Lencioni—a book that has shaped how Visual Logic approaches client relationships. They break down the three fears that hold people back—losing business, being embarrassed, and feeling inferior—and share real-world examples of overcoming these fears to build trust and drive meaningful progress. If you’ve ever struggled with difficult conversations or worried about looking inexperienced, this episode is packed with insights on how authenticity can transform your work. 🎧 Listen now on Humans First and subscribe for more insights into design, strategy, and leadership. — To learn more about Visual Logic’s Humans First approach, ⁠visit visuallogic.com. Since 1988, Visual Logic has been a trusted User Experience partner for leading companies–helping guide product strategy, and designing stand out user interfaces & customer experiences. Our process helps simplify complex products and leads to elegant, easy-to-use solutions that your customers & end-users will love. Getting to simple is hard. We’ll help you build & launch with confidence. For more Humans First, visit: ⁠www.visuallogic.com/podcast⁠ — Keywords: consulting, leadership, radical transparency, business relationships, Patrick Lencioni, Getting Naked, trust-building, professional growth, UX design, workplace authenticity

    24분
  7. Domain Deep Dive: Designing for Defense & UX Challenges in Military Tech

    5월 5일

    Domain Deep Dive: Designing for Defense & UX Challenges in Military Tech

    Why is UX in the military and defense industry lagging behind commercial tech? Designers in this space face massive hurdles—from bureaucratic layers and security constraints to an engineering-first culture that prioritizes capability over usability. In this episode of Humans First, Nick Bray, Jason Thompson, and Ben Rendall break down the design maturity scale in defense, the challenges of getting user feedback, and why UX is becoming a competitive advantage for the DoD. They also discuss how the industry can attract top design talent and what commercial UX teams can learn from these challenges. 🎧 Listen now on Humans First and subscribe for more insights into design, strategy, and leadership. — To learn more about Visual Logic’s Humans First approach, ⁠visit visuallogic.com⁠. Since 1988, Visual Logic has been a trusted User Experience partner for leading companies–helping guide product strategy, and designing stand out user interfaces & customer experiences. Our process helps simplify complex products and leads to elegant, easy-to-use solutions that your customers & end-users will love. Getting to simple is hard. We’ll help you build & launch with confidence. For more Humans First, visit: ⁠www.visuallogic.com/podcast⁠ — Keywords: UX in defense, military ux, military software, design maturity, defense tech, user research challenges, DoD innovation, human-centered design, usability in government, UX strategy, UX leadership, design thinking, defense industry For more Humans First, visit: www.visuallogic.com/podcast

    27분
  8. The Creative Tug-of-War: Generators & Synthesizers

    4월 21일

    The Creative Tug-of-War: Generators & Synthesizers

    Does your team struggle to balance big ideas with practical execution? Do brainstorming sessions feel endless, or do rigid processes stifle innovation? In this episode of Humans First, Visual Logic’s Andrew Sladky, Kayla Byington, and Nick Bray explore how understanding the roles of generators and synthesizers can transform the way teams collaborate and make decisions. Drawing from Kim Goodwin’s Designing for the Digital Age, they break down how generators push boundaries while synthesizers bring order—and why teams need both to succeed. Discover how embracing these roles can lead to better collaboration, more effective decision-making, and stronger product development. Learn how to identify these traits in yourself and your team, and optimize the way you work. 🎧 Listen now on Humans First and subscribe for more insights into design, strategy, and leadership. — To learn more about Visual Logic’s Humans First approach, ⁠visit vlgux.com⁠. Since 1988, Visual Logic has been a trusted User Experience partner for leading companies–helping guide product strategy, and designing stand out user interfaces & customer experiences. Our process helps simplify complex products and leads to elegant, easy-to-use solutions that your customers & end-users will love. Getting to simple is hard. We’ll help you build & launch with confidence. For more Humans First, visit: ⁠www.visuallogicux.com/podcast⁠ — Keywords: UX design, product development, team collaboration, leadership, innovation, design thinking, agile methodology, business strategy, decision-making.

    23분
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Humans First is a product strategy and UX design podcast for tech and software leaders who want to build better digital products. We explore how human-centered design shapes business strategy, improves user experience, and drives innovation. Topics include the cost of UX, moving beyond visual design, cross-industry challenges, and building design-forward teams and design cultures. Whether you're scaling products or shifting culture, we give you practical insights from the front lines of product design. Learn more about Humans First and Visual Logic at visuallogic.com/podcast.

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