The Psychology Driving Great Experiences

Why do some apps just “feel right,” while others completely miss the mark?

Maybe psychology is the missing ingredient in your UX toolkit.

Today, I sit down with a UX veteran who has spent years decoding the hidden psychology behind successful design. My guest has crafted user experiences for powerhouse brands like Estée Lauder and Sleep Number, translating user psychology into multimillion-dollar successes. We discuss the critical psychological principles that UX designers often overlook—principles that separate the unforgettable from the easily ignored.

We explore why something as subtle as the direction of a model’s gaze can drastically change user behavior, how color psychology isn’t just a theory but is measurable through rigorous A/B tests, and how storytelling shapes user engagement and stakeholder buy-in. We also offer practical advice for UX designers on ethically using psychological insights without descending into manipulative dark patterns.

If you’ve ever questioned why users behave as they do, or how you can leverage human psychology to create better designs, this episode will equip you with powerful insights and actionable techniques. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation that could fundamentally change how you approach UX design.

Topics:
• 02:34 – The Importance of Psychology in UX Design
• 04:01 – Psychology in Design: Real-World Applications
• 05:20 – The Role of Color in UX Design
• 06:47 – Understanding User Behavior Through Testing
• 08:01 – Ethics in UX Design
• 09:33 – The Power of Storytelling in UX
• 17:10 – The Role of Faces and Eye Tracking in Design
• 23:06 – The Importance of Visual Design Principles
• 33:49 – Storytelling: A Fundamental Human Experience
• 40:13 – Book Review: Bending Reality
• 40:54 – Storytelling in UX Design
• 41:41 – Practical Applications of Storytelling at Work
• 42:36 – Effective Communication Strategies
• 45:13 – Psychology and Gender in the Workplace
• 50:23 – Ethical Implications in Design

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Mara on LinkedIn

Mara Thorsrud
UX Director, Leader, and Strategist

About Mara

Mara has worked with agencies, startups, and big-name brands across B2B, B2C, e-commerce, and retention programs. Some of her proudest moments? Transforming New York fashion startup Gwynnie Bee into a multimillion-dollar business and creating an IoT platform that connects the digital and physical worlds to help people achieve a better night’s sleep at Sleep Number. These days, Mara is crafting gorgeous experiences for luxury beauty, skin, and haircare products at Estée Lauder.

Connect with Mara on LinkedIn

—

Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.

If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.

• Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show
• Support the show on Patreon
• Check out show transcripts
• Check out our website
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Subscribe on Stitcher