How do you handle UX trends and innovations backlash?

Innovation backlash on the client side can occur due to various factors. Resistance to change is a common reason, as clients may find it challenging to adapt to new technologies or processes that disrupt their existing routines. Additionally, a poor user experience stemming from the innovation can lead to client dissatisfaction and pushback. Privacy and security concerns are also significant. Clients may be apprehensive about innovations that collect or store their data, particularly if there are perceived risks to their personal information. Lack of understanding about the benefits of the innovation can foster skepticism and resistance.

Designers and researchers are hired for a reason and technology businesses require these roles to deliver better experiences. In the world of work and our capitalist society there are economic drivers that inevitably impact the way businesses regard investment in new things versus things that are still bringing in the revenue. Depending on the philosophy of the organisation, investment constricts and innovation as a core work stream or department is under invested in or there remains an interest in managing risk around R&D investments. Cultures and perceptions of design as a discipline, in addition to research also affect this. Ultimately, designers, researchers and many other people are responsible for customer/user experience UX outcomes.

Especially in SaaS products, UX has evolved to be more than just about ”ease of use”. The user experience now intertwines with the monetization model of the SaaS product, particularly in relation to GBB (Good-Better-Best) product packages. By highlighting this connection, a UX designer can demonstrate their expertise in linking UX trends directly to the core of a customer's business. This not only shows the designer's value in terms of skill and insight but also provides evidence that staying updated with the latest UX innovations can directly impact the business's bottom line.

Showcasing evidence and value is pivotal in mitigating backlash against UX innovations. Ground your design decisions in robust data, user feedback, and relevant case studies to elucidate their problem-solving efficacy. Utilize tangible assets like prototypes and demos to offer a practical visualization of the improvements brought by the new design, fostering an appreciation of its functional and aesthetic enhancements. This approach bolsters trust and credibility, alleviating uncertainties and promoting a more confident acceptance of the design’s innovative features.

Trends are often solutions, and there in lies the problem with following trends. There are typically several ways of solving a problem, often with nominal difference in user experience. Users don't care how you solve their problem, just that you do. Focusing on solutions and not the problem centers your desire to use/create a thing which puts your bias over the user's needs. This is literally the opposite of what you're supposed to do as a UXer. If you're not centering the user, you're going to run into problems.

Flexibility and openness to new ideas are paramount for designers due to their direct impact on professional success and the quality of design work. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving design industry, these traits are vital for several reasons. - Adaptation to Emerging Trends: Design trends and technologies evolve rapidly. Being open to new ideas ensures that one can embrace and incorporate the latest design trends and technologies, staying relevant in the field. - Problem Solving: Design often involves addressing complex problems. Flexibility in thinking and a willingness to consider new approaches can lead to more effective solutions, benefitting both the designer and the client.

As designers, we must balance our enthusiasm for new UX trends and technologies with an understanding of the cautious mindset of project managers and stakeholders. By being open to critique and effectively communicating the value of innovation, we can collaborate in a healthy way while prioritizing user-centered experiences. Never take it personally. True "change is the only constant" but we have to be patient.

In my personal journey through the ever-shifting landscape of UX trends and innovations, I've discovered that finding the right balance is the secret sauce. It's all about embracing new ideas and staying up-to-date while never forgetting the solid foundation of UX design that's proven its worth. When you face skepticism or pushback against the latest trends, it's crucial to be a good listener, taking the time to understand concerns, evaluating how these new ideas might affect users, and then explaining their value. Creating an atmosphere of collaboration where the classics and the cutting-edge can coexist harmoniously leads to crafting user experiences that aren't just trendy but genuinely game-changing.

The framing here is curious; I think of UX professionals as being the (wise, calm) source of backlash, or at least suggesting not to jump on a bandwagon. In my experience, things become trendy for reasons that aren't necessarily sensible, and people seem to want the latest without understanding what it is, what it is good for; UXers are the ones that suggest that people reflect on their objectives more clearly to see if trendy thing is indeed a fit. The thesis that UXers are facing backlash as opposed to bandwagon is just (IMO) not right.