ARTICLE SUMMARY: UX designers often undervalue their potential influence on shaping user behaviors, business strategies, and societal norms. We feel like a cog in the machine — pushing pixels and advocating for users, yet wondering if your voice really matters.
Nothing can be further from the truth. Most designers do not realize how influential they really are or can be. It’s not just about your work, it’s about the relationships you build, and the subtle ways you shape the people and projects around you.
“You’re more influential than you think: a guide for UX designers” by Richers explores how your actions (and inactions) leave a lasting impact and why embracing this influence can elevate your role and your work. Richers looks at a designer’s
- Soft skills: the quiet superpower
- The Power of Presence
- Behavior is Contagious
UX design isn’t just about creating intuitive interfaces, it’s about guiding how people interact with technology. Small decisions, like where to place a button or how to phrase a message, can have profound impacts on user actions. UX designers play a critical role in aligning user needs with business goals. Your designs can increase conversions, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce costs. This influence is often greater than you think.
Every design decision has ethical implications. Designers influence how accessible, inclusive, and sustainable products are. By prioritizing ethical considerations you shape the larger narrative of technology’s role in society.
As a UX designer, your work shapes how people interact with technology, how businesses succeed, and how society evolves. By embracing your influence, you can lead with purpose, create meaningful change, and leave a lasting impact. Remember, you’re more than just a designer, you’re a change-maker.
This is a must read article for all designers, let us know what you think in the comments.
