Why is learning about data important?

<aside> 💬 You’ve probably heard about data-driven design and how you need to run A-B tests to learn if your design is successful. Yes, data-driven design is absolutely important, ideally you should base your design decisions in sound research and metrics. Data-driven design is not what this section is about!

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<aside> 🦾 The focus of this section is to help you learn about how leveraging data can ENHANCE the user experience. You know how Spotify can create a custom playlist with songs you love but have never heard of? How Tiktok can give you super niche recommendations? and how a Tesla can drive itself. All of that is possible because of data.

Learning about data has been the single most transformational [thing] of my career. If you spend any time on this little project, spend it here. I’ll start with some examples of what data can do for you.

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🎥 Why your Netflix thumbnails don’t look like mine (5m49s)

A small practical example of how Netflix uses data to improve your watching experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axCBA3VD5dQ&ab_channel=Vox

Why your Netflix thumbnails don't look like mine

🔗 AI Terms UXers should know

Six AI Terms UXers Should Know - Library - Google Design

📕 Hello World by Hannah Fry

Hannah Fry is British mathematician and a science communicator. You’ll find a lot of her content on Youtube, mostly around math, or maths as she would say it.

Hello World is a great introduction on how data, algorithms and computers help run our world and our lives. It helps to give you some perspective on how data can be used, for good and for not-so-good. She also writes about the limitations of these systems and how we can ensure that they are used ethically. I would call this a must-read for anyone who works in the world of technology.

Hello World: Being Human in the Age of Algorithms

The book is a cheeky inside-joke in the world of software engineering, where a programmer’s first program is to print “Hello World”.

🔗 More resources by Hannah Fry

Should Computers Run the World? - with Hannah Fry

Hannah Fry | Hello World: Being Human in the Age of Algorithms

In this podcast, Hannah shares her personal experience of being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2020. She talks about how she received the diagnosis, and how her doctors guided her through the various treatment options available to her. It was a great look into the IRL-UX of the health industry.

The Orchid Room and Cancer (with Hannah Fry) - Numberphile Podcast