Data over opinions

In UX design, we balance stakeholder views, design intuition, and data. While each has merit, data provides the objective foundation we need.

This means leveraging both:

Quantitative data for patterns and behaviors at scale

Qualitative data for motivations and user mental models

Being data-informed differs from being data-driven. We use data as a lens to evaluate decisions, not as the sole decision-maker. It’s about combining analytical insights with design expertise to form a complete picture.

Think of it this way: analytics might show dropping engagement, but only qualitative research reveals why. This combination of what and why guides meaningful design decisions.

To practice data-informed design:

• Balance metrics with qualitative insights
• Understand data limitations
• Challenge assumptions
• Maintain systematic data collection
• Know when to dig deepe

While stakeholder input and design intuition matter, they should be validated against user data. This shifts us from subjective preferences to objective evidence, creating truly user-centered solutions.

Remember: data is a tool for insight, not a replacement for design thinking.