All episodes
WTF is usability anyway?
Episode number: 001
Release date:
Duration: 22 minutes
Andrew & David discuss usability, user experience (UX), & talk about norman doors & the importance of an easy website checkout.
WTF is usability anyway?Killed by bad usability
Episode number: 002
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Duration: 51 minutes
Andrew & David discuss when bad usability or UX has had horrible consequences, like misdiagnosis, accidents & radiation leak. Also Andy's annoying coffee machine & David's useless microwave.
Killed by bad usabilityUnusable measurements
Episode number: 003
Release date:
Duration: 49 minutes
In this episode Andrew & David discuss units of measurements (including time & length) and how unnecessarily complicated they are. Also there's a brief discussion about how babies should be measured, David talks about how showers should work, and Andy talks about touchscreen drinks dispensers.
Unusable measurementsRoad signs are confusing
Episode number: 004
Release date:
Duration: 52 minutes
Andy and David discuss road signs and instructions that are confusing, and cause more problems than they solve. They also discuss: Should roadsigns be replaced by emojis? Andy’s bad experience ordering at KFC using a touchscreen, none pizza with left beef, the complications of imperial vs metric (again) & a terrible conversation with a Tomtom
Road signs are confusingHistory of computer graphical interfaces & the future of natural UI
Episode number: 005
Release date:
Duration: 57 minutes
Andrew & David talk about the history of computer user interfaces & early computers, where UI is heading in the future with natural interfaces, & Andy has a frustrating experience with a parking machine.
History of computer graphical interfaces & the future of natural UIGetting tricked online by UI dark patterns
Episode number: 006
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Duration: 42 minutes
Dark patterns are tricks that get customers to buy more in websites & apps. We find examples & prove how they're effective.
Getting tricked online by UI dark patternsDo cultural differences affect usability?
Episode number: 007
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Duration: 38 minutes
Cultures differ around the world - does that mean user interfaces should differ too? We talk about how companies have failed to reach international audiences & some funny cultural blunders!
Do cultural differences affect usability?Design Crimes From 2018
Episode number: 008
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Duration: 49 minutes
Bad design from 2018, plus other usability problems, dark patterns, how a computer forced David into an encounter with a naked man & the origins of the PlayStation buttons
Design Crimes From 2018Designing for failure
Episode number: 009
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Duration: 45 minutes
David & Andrew discuss the importance of designing for failure & making sure the problem is communicated to the user.
Designing for failureAccessibility benefits everyone
Episode number: 010
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Duration: 57 minutes
In this podcast we discuss using technology with different types of disabilities & how designing for accessibility benefits everyone. We also talk about voice UI for the elderly, & Andy has a terrible experience in a bank.
Accessibility benefits everyoneSelf-checkouts & online shopping
Episode number: 011
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Duration: 44 minutes
We discuss the Queen going shopping & being shown how self-checkouts work, & we discuss their advantages & annoyances. Also Andy has a story about a lame practical joke on a teacher using his Tesco club card.
Self-checkouts & online shoppingSound design in UX
Episode number: 012
Release date:
Duration: 52 minutes
David and Andrew look at the role of sound in usability. From deliberately loud vacuum cleaners to the crunch of a Pringle, sound is an important but often forgotten aspect of user experience. Also, David almost gets punched, and Andrew bum-shuffles on a water slide like a dog with worms.
Sound design in UXUX writing & microcopy
Episode number: 013
Release date:
Duration: 53 minutes
David and Andrew talk about UX writing and try to answer why it's different to copywriting, and what microcopy is. They also discuss annoying browser notifications, a more sensible way for asking to set cookies, and why opening a japanese soda is difficult.
UX writing & microcopyThe internet is terrible now!
Episode number: 014
Release date:
Duration: 50 minutes
Andrew & David discuss what makes the internet terrible now, like slow websites, browser inconsistencies, monopolisation & stupid people.
The internet is terrible now!Security is pointless
Episode number: 015
Release date:
Duration: 59 minutes
Security is a hugely important topic. David & Andrew share their look on what makes for good & bad security, talk about their own experiences in building web apps, & come to the realisation none of it matters anyway.
Security is pointlessDrinking Whisky & Working From Home
Episode number: 016
Release date:
Duration: 50 minutes
Being forced to work from home due to coronavirus, Andrew & David discuss video chatting using Zoom & Skype, & then the rigmarole of getting things delivered. It gets a bit silly towards the end, because Andrew has been drinking whisky.
Drinking Whisky & Working From HomePlanned obsolescence
Episode number: 017
Release date:
Duration: 41 minutes
David & Andrew discuss planned obsolescence, the practice of designing products to need replacing sooner to net the manufacturer more money.
Planned obsolescenceHow UX affects SEO
Episode number: 018
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Duration: 32 minutes
How does UX influence SEO? In this episode of The Unusable Podcast, we discuss how Google takes into account loading speed, mobile optimisation and other factors when deciding what to show first.
How UX affects SEOHick's Law
Episode number: 019
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Duration: 43 minutes
What is Hick's Law? In this episode we discuss static website generators, & keeping things simple.
Hick's LawOccams Razor
Episode number: 020
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Duration: 47 minutes
What is Occam's razor? In this episode we discuss simple solutions often being the best.
Occams RazorLockdown upsides
Episode number: 021
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Duration: 39 minutes
In our latest podcast we talk about changes brought about by the coronavirus lockdown.
Lockdown upsidesProduct Led Growth
Episode number: 022
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Duration: 38 minutes
We talk about 'Product Led Growth' whilst getting drunk.
Product Led GrowthThe Decline of UX
Episode number: 023
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Duration: 34 minutes
We talk about the article 'Why I'm losing faith in UX' by Mark Hurst. And toilets.
The Decline of UXCommon UX mistakes
Episode number: 024
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Duration: 38 minutes
We talk about common UX mistakes to avoid
Common UX mistakesGithub Copilot
Episode number: 025
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Duration: 29 minutes
AI code generation is here, but could it kill someone?
Github CopilotWireframing & Ikea prison
Episode number: 026
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Duration: 46 minutes
Andy angers IKEA, & we talk about wireframing
Wireframing & Ikea prisonThe UX of music players
Episode number: 027
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Duration: 40 minutes
Record players with modern(ish) controls, & confusing cloud storage
The UX of music playersIs Gamification evil?
Episode number: 028
Release date:
Duration: 58 minutes
Is gamification evil? Apple laptop gripes. What is bullshitification?
Is Gamification evil?Doug Collins
Episode number: 029
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Duration: 54 minutes
Andy interviews prominent UXer and all-round nice-guy Doug Collins
Doug CollinsA large glass of Jakobs Law
Episode number: 030
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Duration: 33 minutes
We talk about Jakob's Law, by usability advocate Jakob Neilson
A large glass of Jakobs LawUnsupported eyeballs
Episode number: 031
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Duration: 32 minutes
When companies stop supporting their products, this can have major consequences
Unsupported eyeballsSolving EV charging problems
Episode number: 032
Release date:
Duration: 63 minutes
Andrew talks about EV charging with Wolfgang Bremer, Head of Design at Elli
Solving EV charging problemsIt's not always a technical solution
Episode number: 033
Release date:
Duration: 54 minutes
Sometimes you have to do things manually if automation fails
It's not always a technical solution