This "UX isn’t just about one product. It’s about the entire ecosystem of experiences. PX seems to keep the focus on designing the product itself, not necessarily the broader user journey."... is exactly why I don't really like it.
Vadym, this was a very thought-provoking read—thank you for diving into both the nuances and the history! 🙌 I agree that names and terminology will keep evolving (and sometimes circling back), but what really matters is how we practice design and advocate for users within our organizations.
I can understand why Duolingo’s shift to “Product Experience” might resonate with teams that work closely with KPIs and business goals. Lately, I’ve noticed in conversations with peers that designers are becoming more immersed in numbers than in users and their lived experiences. Naturally, this raises the question: does this narrower framing risk losing the holistic, ecosystem-level thinking that UX was built on?
I’m very curious to see how this shift impacts hiring, team structures, and cross-functional collaboration over time. Everything in our industry is evolving so quickly—both with the rise of AI and the way we streamline design tools, workflows, and even how we structure and present our portfolios. It's definitely a moment for reflection.
Thanks for your comment, Mary! I'm really glad the post resonated with you 🙌
And I completely agree. When designers focus primarily on KPIs and numbers, there's definitely a risk of losing sight of the actual user experience. But the reality is that most of us (let's say 95%, excluding cases where designers work for non-profits) design for businesses. And, of course, businesses need growth and scale — especially now that the global economy is facing significant challenges and things aren't as optimistic as they used to be. This delicate balance between user needs and business goals has always been a tricky game, and it's just getting trickier.
I've also noticed how this shift is affecting hiring. Hiring managers are now less interested in the deep dives into the design process or detailed discovery phases. Instead, a compelling portfolio case study now typically begins with a bold statement about how a particular design directly impacted business goals and metrics. Which is actually cool, and I do the same :)
You're definitely not alone. I would assume that many people feel the same way and prefer the term "user friendly". And I understand why! It clearly highlights the ultimate goal: to create products that are intuitive and easy to use.
However, when we look at the broader picture of communication between customers and companies, many other aspects come into play. While "usability" is great for describing interfaces and overall systems' usability, it doesn't quite cover the emotional responses and deeper feelings that users experience before and after interacting with products. And that's a critical part of the experience that product designers can significantly influence. This is precisely why "user experience" has become popular — to encompass everything users feel and encounter, beyond just interfaces.
I think the ongoing evolution of these terms illustrates how challenging it can be to capture something as complex and deeply human as design in just a few words.
This "UX isn’t just about one product. It’s about the entire ecosystem of experiences. PX seems to keep the focus on designing the product itself, not necessarily the broader user journey."... is exactly why I don't really like it.
Same here! :)
Vadym, this was a very thought-provoking read—thank you for diving into both the nuances and the history! 🙌 I agree that names and terminology will keep evolving (and sometimes circling back), but what really matters is how we practice design and advocate for users within our organizations.
I can understand why Duolingo’s shift to “Product Experience” might resonate with teams that work closely with KPIs and business goals. Lately, I’ve noticed in conversations with peers that designers are becoming more immersed in numbers than in users and their lived experiences. Naturally, this raises the question: does this narrower framing risk losing the holistic, ecosystem-level thinking that UX was built on?
I’m very curious to see how this shift impacts hiring, team structures, and cross-functional collaboration over time. Everything in our industry is evolving so quickly—both with the rise of AI and the way we streamline design tools, workflows, and even how we structure and present our portfolios. It's definitely a moment for reflection.
Thanks for your comment, Mary! I'm really glad the post resonated with you 🙌
And I completely agree. When designers focus primarily on KPIs and numbers, there's definitely a risk of losing sight of the actual user experience. But the reality is that most of us (let's say 95%, excluding cases where designers work for non-profits) design for businesses. And, of course, businesses need growth and scale — especially now that the global economy is facing significant challenges and things aren't as optimistic as they used to be. This delicate balance between user needs and business goals has always been a tricky game, and it's just getting trickier.
I've also noticed how this shift is affecting hiring. Hiring managers are now less interested in the deep dives into the design process or detailed discovery phases. Instead, a compelling portfolio case study now typically begins with a bold statement about how a particular design directly impacted business goals and metrics. Which is actually cool, and I do the same :)
Thanks again for your thoughts!
Informative... I look forward to more from you....
Personally I never liked the term "User Experience" because I found it vague...
I preferred "User Friendly" , because It signifies a purpose. Though I am not a tech person I was more into setting up the management backbone.
Thank you 🙏
Thank you for sharing your perspective!
You're definitely not alone. I would assume that many people feel the same way and prefer the term "user friendly". And I understand why! It clearly highlights the ultimate goal: to create products that are intuitive and easy to use.
However, when we look at the broader picture of communication between customers and companies, many other aspects come into play. While "usability" is great for describing interfaces and overall systems' usability, it doesn't quite cover the emotional responses and deeper feelings that users experience before and after interacting with products. And that's a critical part of the experience that product designers can significantly influence. This is precisely why "user experience" has become popular — to encompass everything users feel and encounter, beyond just interfaces.
I think the ongoing evolution of these terms illustrates how challenging it can be to capture something as complex and deeply human as design in just a few words.
Thanks again for your reading and commenting!
This can be a long debate.... !
But I do agree that it is challenging indeed...
I sure will stay wired with your postings...
Thankyou for your apt response.
🙏🙏