#157 - The Future of Design Collaboration with Andrew Hogan of Figma

#157 - The Future of Design Collaboration with Andrew Hogan of Figma

Author: User Interviews January 2, 2025 Duration: 41:09

Few companies are most closely associated with UX design right now than Figma, which not only helps designers get their work done, but serves as a bridge for others to get more involved in the process. Erin and Carol are joined by Andrew Hogan, Figma's Head of Insights, to explore  the nature of collaboration today and how the structure of that collaboration can impact our ability to effect UX change.

Andrew shares some of his team's own research on design collaboration, from how it's changed, what still needs improving, and how UX professionals can collaborate better. This includes the growing and evolving impact of AI. He also talks about what he learned during his recent parental leave—including the pervasiveness of screens—and how he's applying that learning to his own team.

Highlights

  • 11:13 Design's Role in Software and Team Collaboration
  • 18:01 Diverse Methods for Sharing Research Insights
  • 20:46 Uncertain Future of AI: Expectations Reset
  • 24:34 AI's Impact on Productivity and Team Collaboration
  • 29:49 Overcoming Challenges: Standing Out in Content Saturation
  • 33:05 Perceptions of Change: Exploring Role Spikiness

About Andrew
Andrew Hogan conducts research on the design industry and design practices to figure out what’s happening. He love anecdotes, anecdata and data. He also likes to write and speak about what he finds, sometimes in the form of jokes and is occasionally quoted by places like Fast Company, WSJ, Forbes, CNN, Business Insider, AdAge, CIO.com and Tech Republic. In the past he authored/co-authored 50+ Forrester reports about design, UX, CX and the design industry, and created CX certification training modules on journey mapping and data/AI + design.

Resources


Awkward Silences is a conversation about the human side of building things. Hosts Erin May and Carol Guest, both VPs at User Interviews, don't just talk about theory-they get into the messy, real-world practice of talking to users and making sense of what they say. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the craft of user research, featuring candid chats with the practitioners who do this work every day. You'll hear stories about navigating tricky interviews, the weight of interpreting qualitative data, and how genuine understanding directly shapes better products and smarter business decisions. This isn't a dry lecture; it's a geeky, relatable dive into the questions and quiet moments that define UX research. The Awkward Silences podcast lives in the intersection of technology and business, focusing on the people and processes that connect them. Listen for practical insights, empathetic strategies, and the occasional shared laugh about the inevitable fumbles that come with trying to understand anyone. It’s for anyone who believes that building effectively starts with listening well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Awkward Silences
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