Here's how you can harmonize new technology with traditional UX principles.

Today, things like AI and augmented reality are changing how we interact with technology. But it's still important to focus on making technology easy to use, accessible, and centered around people. When we use new tech, we should make sure it enhances the user experience without making things complicated. For example, AI can personalize how we interact with apps based on what we do, while also being clear about how it uses our information to protect our privacy. Augmented reality can add digital info to what we see in the real world, but we need to keep it simple and easy to understand. Older UX principles, like making sure navigation is clear and giving feedback that's consistent, are still really important!

More UX professionals should be embracing emerging tech like GenAI and more primarily to increase their creativity. This is especially important in the ideation phase when you want to drum up a wide range of potential solutions to issues. GenAI is limitless in creative output and you also get to beat "blank page syndrome". The fundamentals in UX remain the same and should be your guiding principles, technology can simplify, magnify, or expedite your outcomes.

New tech can be exciting, but it's all about how it fits into the user's world. I always dig into how a new gadget or software can make things smoother, just like voice commands that free up your hands. But if it just adds complexity, it's a pass. The key is to find that sweet spot where new tech feels like an intuitive extension of what you already know, not a whole new learning curve. That's when it becomes truly magical.

In the dynamic tech landscape, change is constant. Embracing change in UX design means harmonizing traditional principles with new tech advancements. It’s about recognizing that while tech changes, user needs often remain the same. As new tech emerges, we must adjust our methods, always aiming to improve the user experience. This balance between new tech and core UX principles is key in our journey of continuous learning and adaptation.

If it can help you speed up the process, new technology should always be welcome. UX is about people, so you don't need to be scared of being replaced. AI is here to help us to improve our day to day. Use it wisely for work.

User research can't be skipped! Before I get starry-eyed about the latest tech trend, I need to understand how real people would actually use it. Like, that fancy new fitness tracker might be cool, but if it's a pain to sync with my phone or the data is confusing, it's going straight in the drawer! The best tech solves a problem I already have, in a way that feels natural. So yeah, user research – it's the key that keeps new tech from becoming a frustrating gimmick.

AI can be really helpful for secondary research, but also help you summarise and organise research. It can help you to create a research database and to also speed up the reporting process. All of that being said, it can't be skipped. It doesn't replace a good qualitative primary research, it doesn't replace talking to people and observing real actions.

User research remains a cornerstone in UX design, even with new technologies. It’s the compass that guides us towards user needs and expectations. As technology evolves, so do the methods of user research. Traditional methods like interviews and surveys are now complemented by data analytics and AI-driven insights. However, the goal remains the same: to understand the user deeply and design experiences that meet their needs. Embracing new tech in user research means more precise insights, leading to more effective UX designs.

This is the guidepost to use when starting to work with emerging technologies in your design. But with new technologies can come new design patterns that make sense for an intended user interaction.

To harmonize new technology with traditional UX principles, leveraging tools like Figma for prototyping and user testing can be invaluable. Consistency and feedback remain crucial, even with advanced tech like AR. For instance, Jakob Nielsen's heuristics still apply: visibility of system status and error prevention are key. Referencing resources from the Nielsen Norman Group can provide deeper insights. Keeping traditional principles in mind while using new tools ensures a user-friendly experience, as emphasized by UX experts like Don Norman. This balance helps integrate cutting-edge technology while maintaining a familiar and intuitive interface.

Design principles, the foundation of any UX design, guide us in creating intuitive and user-friendly experiences. Even as we integrate new technologies, these principles remain steadfast. They include consistency, simplicity, and usability. New tech offers innovative ways to apply these principles. For instance, AI can help achieve personalization at scale, enhancing the principle of relevance. Thus, while new tech brings new possibilities, our commitment to fundamental design principles ensures we maintain a user-centric approach.

New technology can really help you track progress and users actions, but it shouldn't replace the observation process in the first place. When testing it, it's ok to leverage tools to help you put a report together, but don't allow it to come up with insights on itself