How to Visualize the Invisible: Metaphors, Models, and Meaning (with Stephen P. Anderson)
Explaining an abstract idea can feel easy—until you put pen to paper. In this episode, our host sits down with Stephen P. Anderson to unpack the craft of turning complex concepts into clear, memorable visuals. Together they dig into the challenges of sketching an org chart, mapping a process, or nailing a scientific metaphor—and ask what really separates a helpful illustration from a confusing one. You’ll hear them explore: Why visualizing a concept (not just data) often stalls once you start drawingWhether effective illustration relies on a repeatable method or innate talentHow to test if you’ve chosen the right metaphor—and what happens if you haven’tWays visual collaboration can pull teams out of creative rutsHow embodied cognition reframes our approach to concept visualization By the end, you’ll have practical, psychologically informed questions to guide your next sketch—so your ideas land the way you intend. Never miss an episode. If you’d like a note when new episodes of The Design Psychologist drop, join the newsletter. I’ll send you fresh insights on psychology and design straight to your inbox. [Sign up for the newsletter here—it only takes a moment. → https://3leafdesign.substack.com]
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How Well Do Our Words Reflect Our Inside World? A psychological perspective on the limits of self-report, introspection, and understanding the human mind
How much can you trust what users tell you?In this solo episode, we dive into one of the most slippery yet essential tools in UX research: self-reporting. From interviews to surveys, self-reports are everywhere—but they come with hidden psychological traps.We explore:Why self-reported data can be both useful and misleadingThe psychological reasons people often misrepresent their own behaviorWhen to trust what users say—and when to dig deeperThe subtle difference between described and observed behaviorIf you’ve ever relied on user quotes to justify a design decision—or been burned by data that didn’t translate to real-world outcomes—this episode will give you a sharper lens for interpreting what users say versus what they do.Tune in to sharpen your research instincts and make your design decisions more psychologically grounded.
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Disruptive by Design: Uncovering Game-Changing Insights (with Larry Marine)
Ever wonder how certain products feel inevitable the moment they appear—rearranging entire markets overnight? In this episode of The Design Psychologist, Thomas sits down with UX pioneer Larry Marine to unpack the mechanics of truly disruptive research—the kind that yields insights so fundamental they can’t be unseen.Most teams unknowingly skip a handful of critical research steps, blinding themselves to the knowledge that changes everything. Larry shows us how treating users, tasks, and entire processes as flows of knowledge reframes both what you look for and what you ultimately build. Along the way we probe why familiar tools like personas sometimes help—and sometimes hurt—and how principles from cognitive science give sharper edges to every question we ask. 🔍 You’ll learn What makes research “disruptive.” Why some methods surface game-changing insights while standard approaches miss them.The critical steps most teams skip. How a small shift early on can rewrite both your findings and your final design.Knowledge-centric mapping. Viewing users and processes through the lens of knowledge—revealing needs that action-based models overlook.Where personas really belong. When they clarify design decisions and when they get in the way.Cognitive science in practice. Concrete ways to align products with how people actually think and behave.A self-audit toolkit. Practical prompts to evaluate (and radically improve) your current research workflow. Whether you’re launching a start-up or steering a mature product team, this conversation arms you with a sharper lens and actionable tools to uncover deeper, more market-shaking insights—before someone else does.Never miss an episode. If you’d like a note when new episodes of The Design Psychologist drop, join the newsletter. I’ll send you fresh insights on psychology and design straight to your inbox. [Sign up for the newsletter here—it only takes a moment. → https://3leafconsulting.substack.com/]
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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.Never miss an episode. If you’d like a note when new episodes of The Design Psychologist drop, join the newsletter. I’ll send you fresh insights on psychology and design straight to your inbox. [Sign up for the newsletter here—it only takes a moment. → https://3leafconsulting.substack.com/]
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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.Never miss an episode. If you’d like a note when new episodes of The Design Psychologist drop, join the newsletter. I’ll send you fresh insights on psychology and design straight to your inbox. [Sign up for the newsletter here—it only takes a moment. → https://3leafconsulting.substack.com/]
Om 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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