UX lessons from Oppenheimer
So, I just saw Oppenheimer (2023) the other day and wow, it really grabbed me and left a mark. The style was so unique and there was a ton of stuff to think about. I was totally hooked by the conversations and scenes, and they got me thinking…hang on, there are UX lessons here! It might sound silly, but when someone as brilliant as Christopher Nolan does or says something, you gotta take notes, right? So, that’s what I did and here they are:
Theory will take you only so far:
In the experimental physics lab at Berkeley, Oppenheimer says with a smile, “Theory can only take you so far.” He’s saying that even the most accurate math on paper can’t always predict the unpredictable happenings in real life and that’s true and something all UX design beginners should learn.
Learning about UX is great, and reading up on all the concepts and processes is a good start. But, to truly understand the challenges that come with these processes, you need to get out there and gain some practical experience. Whether it’s conducting user interviews or doing survey research, having the knowledge is one thing, but putting it into practice is what really counts. So, don’t be afraid to dive in and get your hands dirty!
They won’t f̶e̶a̶r̶ (love) it until they understand it. And they won’t understand it until they’ve used it.
This is very true about the user experience. Understanding is a key factor in creating a product that users love. When users understand a product, they’ll be able to use it more effectively and efficiently, which will ultimately lead to a more positive experience overall.
As designers, Our top priority is to make sure that our users have an amazing experience with our product right from the start. To achieve this, we focus on designing user interfaces that are easy to use and understand, creating user flows that make sense, and providing helpful onboarding and support resources. Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions on how we can make your experience even better.
Coming to the second line, Getting users to use your product for the first time is a crucial step towards them understanding and eventually loving the product. You might think it’s the job of the sales team and the design team to do it but it is also the job of us UX designers too.
One great way to make your users love your product is by creating a seamless UX experience. You can start by designing a user-friendly onboarding experience that guides new users through your product’s key features and benefits. To make it even easier for them, you can include tutorials, tooltips, and walkthroughs. Another idea is to simplify the sign-up process to get users using the product right away. Hope this helps!
It may not be your fault but it is your problem:
This is so true as it is our responsibility that UX designers bear when it comes to addressing issues with a product.
As a UX designer, you’re the voice of the user within your organization. If a user is having a problem with the product — whether it’s due to a usability issue, a bug, a confusing interface, or something else — it’s your responsibility to identify and resolve this problem. Even if the issue was caused by something outside of your direct control, such as a technical constraint or a business decision, it becomes your problem because it affects the user experience.
If we don’t let scientists bring their families, we’ll never get the best out of them.
This isn’t exactly a lesson, but it’s a great point about empathy in Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer understood the perspective of scientists and put himself in their shoes. This kind of empathy creates a work environment where people feel appreciated, valued, and supported, which can lead to higher job satisfaction. So designers, let’s remember to empathize ( with our colleagues too ) — it’s really important!
That’s all folks, hope you had a good read and got some good insights too. Here’s a meme to conclude it:
