In the dynamic realm of digital design, the role of user experience (UX) has become paramount. As we navigate through this ever-evolving landscape, certain individuals stand out for their exceptional contributions and innovative approaches. This compilation, "Top 20 Influencers in User Experience (UX) Design: A Must-Follow List," is a tribute to those trailblazers who have redefined the standards and practices of UX design. These top UX designers have not only crafted remarkable UX designs but have also led the way in offering comprehensive UX design services. From shaping user-friendly interfaces to revolutionizing UX web design, their work has had a profound impact on how we interact with technology. Whether you're a seasoned UX designer or an enthusiast keen on understanding the nuances of the field, this list is an invaluable resource. It celebrates the visionaries who have set benchmarks in UX design, making them essential figures to follow for anyone aspiring to excel in this domain.
Jakob Nielsen
Jakob Nielsen, Ph.D., a renowned figure in user experience (UX) design, co-founded the Nielsen Norman Group with Dr. Donald A. Norman. A pioneer in usability since 1983, Nielsen has been instrumental in developing methods for improving user interfaces, notably heuristic evaluation. His work has earned him 79 U.S. patents, primarily focused on making the Internet more user-friendly. Nielsen's influence in UX design is globally recognized, with accolades such as "the king of usability" and "the world's leading expert on Web usability." He has authored several influential books, including "Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity" and "Mobile Usability." Nielsen's contributions extend to keynote speeches, numerous articles, and active engagement on LinkedIn and Substack. Holding a Ph.D. in human-computer interaction, he has also served in significant roles at Sun Microsystems and other tech giants, shaping the field of Web usability. Nielsen's expertise and insights continue to shape the UX design landscape, making him an essential follower for professionals in the field.
Jared Spool
Jared Spool, a luminary in UX design, co-founded Center Centre-UIE, focusing on creating industry-ready UX designers. With over 35 years of experience, he's renowned for his expertise in UX design strategy, usability, and user interface design. Spool's commitment to education is evident in his role as editor-in-chief of UIEtips, a leading newsletter in user experience. He's also known for chairing the influential User Interface Conference, uniting UX leaders worldwide. His tenure as a Senior Software Engineer and his work at Symbolics highlight his deep roots in the field. Spool's contributions extend to academia as an Adjunct Professor at Tufts University, shaping future UX professionals.
Andrew Kucheriavy
Andrew Kucheriavy, renowned as "the UX Master," is a luminary in the User Experience (UX) design world. As the Founder and CEO of Intechnic, he has been instrumental in enhancing customer experiences for major global brands. With over 20 years of expertise, Andrew is not only a trailblazer in UX Research, Strategy, and Design but also a published author and influential blogger. His commitment to excellent UX has earned him the prestigious title of the ninth professional globally to receive a Master UX Certification. A member of the Forbes Technology Council, Andrew's philosophy that "Good UX is Good Business" is reflected in his transformative work, helping companies overcome challenges like low conversions and high attrition rates through superior UX. His passion for UX is evident in his approach to prioritizing customer satisfaction and business results, making him a top influencer and visionary in the field.
Erika Hall
Erika Hall, a luminary in UX design, co-founded Mule Design Studio in 2001, where she serves as the Director of Strategy. With over two decades of experience, Erika is renowned for her advocacy of evidence-based design and the power of clear language. She is the esteemed author of "Just Enough Research" and "Conversational Design," both published by A Book Apart. Erika's expertise extends to guiding organizations and practitioners in applying critical thinking and humanist values to complex challenges. Her latest endeavor focuses on aiding designers to comprehend business systems. Erika's notable contributions include her talks "Beyond Measure" and "Designing for the Triple Storyline." Her career also includes roles at Hot Studio and Sapient, further solidifying her status as a pivotal figure in the UX community.
Ethan Marcottee
Ethan Marcotte, a pioneering figure in web design, is renowned for coining the term "responsive design" in 2010, revolutionizing how websites adapt to different devices. With over two decades of experience, he has worked with prestigious clients like New York Magazine, Sundance Film Festival, and Google. As a co-founder and partner at Autogram, he merges design systems with content management. Ethan is also an acclaimed author, with influential books like "Responsive Web Design" (2011) and "You Deserve a Tech Union" (2023). His expertise extends to speaking at global design conferences and writing on digital design and justice. His role as a Front End Architect at Vox Media and as a co-founder of Editorially, Inc. further highlights his diverse skill set in creating accessible, device-agnostic web experiences.
Trent Walton
Trent Walton, a seasoned web designer and builder, is renowned for his innovative contributions to the UX design world. As the founder of Paravel, he led the company for 16 years, showcasing his expertise in web design. Since April 2022, he has been the CEO of Luro App, furthering his impact in the industry. Walton is a respected voice in the UX community, sharing his insights through blogs, interviews, and notable speaking engagements at events like An Event Apart and Smashing Conference. His writings in publications like Smashing Magazine and .net Magazine reflect his deep understanding of web typography and responsive design. Walton's presence is felt across various platforms, from Mastodon to GitHub, where he continues to influence and inspire in the realm of UX design.
Jeff Gothelf
Jeff Gothelf, a pivotal UX design influencer, has over 20 years of experience as a designer, author, and coach. He co-authored "Lean UX" and "Sense and Respond," advocating for customer-centric, evidence-based product development. His latest book, "Forever Employable," guides professionals in creating continuous career opportunities. As founder of Gothelf.co and co-founder of Sense & Respond Press, Jeff emphasizes agile and user experience principles in corporate cultures. His work in training companies and personal commitment as a family man highlight his multifaceted expertise and influence in the UX field.
Scott Jenson
Scott Jenson, a luminary in user experience design, boasts over 30 years of expertise in the field. His journey began at Apple, where he contributed to System 7, Newton, and the Apple Human Interface guidelines. Jenson's career trajectory includes pivotal roles such as UX Director at Symbian and VP of Product Design at Cognima. His tenure at Google is marked by his leadership in the Physical Web project and exploring future Android UX concepts. Post-Google, Jenson continues to impact the industry through various roles, including working with California Fire and Wildlife on a critical web-based mapping tool. He's a prolific inventor with over 30 patents and a respected author, contributing to publications like IEEE Computer and Wired. Jenson's commitment to mentoring in UX is evident through his involvement with adplist.org, where he has guided over 100 mentees. His work at Ink & Switch on the Upwelling project showcases his innovative approach to technology. A true veteran, Jenson's influence in UX design is both profound and far-reaching.
Wilson Miner
Wilson Miner, a visionary digital designer based in San Francisco, has made significant contributions to the UX design world. Currently a product designer at Apple, Miner has a rich history of influencing major tech platforms. His work at Stripe involved establishing a product design system and enhancing both external and internal interfaces. At Facebook, he was instrumental in developing a unified system of interface design guidelines. Miner's leadership in design at Rdio and his co-founding role at EveryBlock highlight his innovative approach. Notably, he played a key role in the first major redesign of apple.com in over a decade and contributed to the Django web framework. His focus on design systems, code as a design tool, and long-term, pragmatic perfectionism mark him as a top influencer in UX design.
Adham Dannaway
Adham Dannaway, a Sydney-based product designer, has been a transformative figure in UI/UX design since 2005. Known for his unique blend of design and development skills, Adham specializes in UI design and design systems, bringing a creative and efficient approach to solving complex user experience problems. His work, featured globally in books, magazines, and websites, reflects his commitment to elegant, intuitive design. Adham's journey began with a Bachelor of Computer Science and a Master of Digital Media from UNSW, leading him to various roles in startups, agencies, and corporations. Beyond his professional pursuits, he's passionate about calisthenics, cooking, and gardening, finding balance in these activities. Adham's influence extends through his social media presence, where he shares insights and engages with the design community, despite his confessed fear of public speaking. His philosophy, emphasizing simplicity and continuous learning, resonates in his work and teachings, making him a must-follow for anyone interested in the evolving world of UX design.
Dan Saffer
Dan Saffer, a renowned product design leader and author, has significantly influenced the UX design world. With a career spanning over two decades, Saffer has authored four pivotal books, including the best-seller "Microinteractions." His expertise extends across various domains, from designing devices and wearables to automotive interiors and robots. His tenure as Director of Product Design at Flipboard and his role at Carnegie Mellon University as Assistant Professor of The Practice, where he bridges the gap between HCI and Design academia and professional work, highlight his multifaceted skill set. Saffer's designs are used daily by millions, and his contributions have earned several patents. Notably, he coined the term "topless meeting," a finalist for the Oxford Dictionary's Word of the Year 2008. A proud father and a cello enthusiast, Saffer's unique blend of creativity and leadership makes him a must-follow figure in the UX design community.
Golden Krishna
Golden Krishna stands out as a visionary in the UX design world. As the author of the acclaimed book "The Best Interface is No Interface," he advocates for innovative, interface-less technology. Currently leading design strategy at Google, he focuses on developing forward-thinking products and services for a global audience. Krishna's journey includes impactful roles at Samsung, where he contributed to early wearable technology and patented contextual computing advancements, and at Zappos, where he explored new business avenues and designed an advanced RFID retail system under CEO Tony Hsieh. His career began at Cooper in San Francisco, learning from design legend Alan Cooper. A sought-after speaker, Krishna has shared his insights worldwide, including a keynote at South by Southwest, captivating over 150,000 online viewers. His design philosophy and work have been recognized by major publications like The Verge, BBC, and Fast Company, which named him one of the "World's Best Designers."
Irene Au
Irene Au, a luminary in UX design, serves as a Design Partner at Khosla Ventures, mentoring CEOs and shaping design practices in various startups. Her illustrious career includes leading design and user experience at tech giants like Google, Yahoo!, and Udacity, starting as an interaction designer at Netscape. Irene's influence extends beyond corporate realms; she's an adjunct lecturer at Stanford University, teaching Product Design, and was a yoga teacher for over eight years, integrating mindfulness into her work. Her contributions to design thought leadership are evident in her book 'Design in Venture Capital' and numerous articles on Medium. Irene, a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, also serves as a trustee at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum of Design, marking her as a true pioneer in the UX field.
Jeff Veen
Jeff Veen, a luminary in UX design, stands out as a Design Partner and Head of Platform at True Ventures in London. His expertise extends to advising companies like about.me, Medium, and WordPress. Veen's journey includes being VP of Design at Adobe post the acquisition of Typekit, a company he co-founded and led as CEO. His foundational role at Adaptive Path, a user experience consulting group, is notable, especially for leading Measure Map, which Google acquired. At Google, he was instrumental in designing Google Analytics and heading the UX team for Google's apps. Veen's early career highlights include being part of Wired Magazine's founding web team and contributing to HotWired, Web Monkey, and Wired News. He is also the author of two influential books, "HotWired Style" and "The Art and Science of Web Design." His extensive experience and contributions make him a must-follow figure in the UX design world.
Cory Lebson
Cory Lebson, a luminary in the UX field, has been shaping user experience research and consulting since 1994. As the principal of Lebsontech LLC since 1997, he transformed his side business into a full-time venture in 2008, demonstrating exceptional business and financial acumen. Cory is not only an accomplished author, with his notable work "The UX Careers Handbook Second Edition," but also a respected LinkedIn Learning Instructor. His educational background is diverse and robust, holding an MBA in marketing and technology management, an MA in sociology, and a BS in psychology. His leadership skills shone through as the former president of both UXPA International and its Washington DC chapter. Cory's expertise spans a wide range of UX activities, including strategy meetings, design workshops, usability testing, and accessibility reviews. He is also known for his engaging public speaking and mentorship in UX. With a career marked by versatility and depth, Cory Lebson stands as a pivotal figure in the UX community.
Jen Romano Bergstrom
Jen Romano Bergstrom, a Senior UX Manager at Google, epitomizes excellence in user experience research. With a career spanning roles at Facebook, Instagram, and the US Census Bureau, she specializes in efficient research methods, including usability and eye tracking. An esteemed author, Jen has penned pivotal works like "Eye Tracking in User Experience Design" and "Usability Testing for Survey Research." Her commitment to education shines through her teaching roles at UC Berkeley Extension and the University of Maryland. A leader in the UX community, Jen has founded programs and served in various executive roles within the User Experience Professional Association (UXPA). Balancing her professional achievements, Jen enjoys traveling and outdoor activities, bringing a unique blend of expertise and passion to the UX field.
Laura Klein
Laura Klein, a seasoned UX design and product management expert, has significantly influenced the tech industry with her 20+ years of experience. Author of "Build Better Products" and "UX for Lean Startups," she excels in guiding startups and agile teams in product development and user experience design. At Users Know, she's been pivotal in enhancing UX research and design since 2010. Her notable achievements include expanding the design team at Indeed.com and leading significant projects at Business Talent Group. Laura's expertise in customer development, user research, and business model creation, coupled with her role as an educator in design thinking at Stanford, makes her an essential figure in the UX community.
Jesse James Garrett
Jesse James Garrett, a trailblazer in UX design, co-founded Adaptive Path, the first agency to specialize in this field. His seminal book, "The Elements of User Experience," has shaped UX design education globally for two decades. Garrett's career spans diverse roles, from designer to executive, influencing industries from media to healthcare. As Chief Creative Officer at Adaptive Path, he mentored leaders who now shape design at top global companies. Post-acquisition by Capital One, he evolved into a leadership coach, focusing on team dynamics and effective leadership. Garrett continues to impact the UX world through his executive coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide design leaders toward success.
Catriona Shedd
Catriona Shedd, a luminary in the UX design world, brings over 13 years of expertise in digital user experiences. As the Director of Product Design at Instacart, she's been pivotal in expanding the company's reach and enhancing its online grocery platform. Her tenure at Instacart includes leading the Verticals team and the Design System team, where she played a key role in scaling the design system to meet organizational needs. Prior to Instacart, Catriona led the design for InVision's Design System Manager, establishing a comprehensive product experience vision. Her work at Salesforce as Director of User Experience for Sales Cloud and SalesforceIQ further showcases her ability to lead and innovate in design. Catriona's unique approach to UX design focuses on building and scaling design systems, fostering creative partnerships, and crafting strategic visions for product experiences. Her leadership and vision in UX design make her an influential figure in the industry.
Lizzie Kelly-Dyson
Lizzie Kelly-Dyson, a prominent figure in the UX design world, is renowned for her passion in simplifying complex problems into user-friendly solutions. As a co-founder of Ladies that UX, she has built a global community that empowers and supports women in the field. Her role as UX Manager at Frontier Agriculture and Product Designer at Adora Health showcases her expertise in UX strategy, particularly in creating supportive experiences for women undergoing menopause. Lizzie's leadership at TalkTalk, where she significantly improved team performance and defined effective UX strategies, further highlights her commitment to user-centered design. Her skills in visualization, decision-making, and design thinking, combined with her dedication to fostering a collaborative environment for women in UX, make her an influential and inspiring figure in the industry.
To Sum up
As we conclude our exploration of Top 20 Influencers in User Experience (UX) Design, it's clear that these individuals are not just designers; they are visionaries who have elevated the standards of UX designs and UX design services. Their work transcends traditional boundaries, blending creativity with functionality to enhance user interactions across various digital platforms. Each of these UX designers, recognized for their contributions to the field, whether through groundbreaking research, innovative design solutions, or influential teaching and mentoring, has been instrumental in setting the bar high for what constitutes exceptional UX web design. This inspires a new generation of designers to think beyond the conventional. As the field of UX continues to evolve, the insights and contributions of these top UX designers will undoubtedly remain a guiding light, shaping the future of user experience design. For anyone passionate about UX, following the work of these leaders, as showcased by companies like Smile MEDIA, is not just inspiring; it's essential for staying at the forefront of this ever-changing and exciting field.
