Dan Hauk

I’ve been doing this product design thing a long time — before there was much of a distinction between UX and UI in job postings. My first foray into what would come to be known as product de...

https://www.danhauk.com/2022/12/21/learning-from-junior-designers/

I started a book club with the design team. Today was our first meeting, deep diving into the first couple chapters of Just Enough Research by Erika Hall. 30 minutes of amazing discussion with in...

https://www.danhauk.com/2022/08/27/book-club/

Today was the first day of a new chapter. After almost 8 years at Automattic, and after a lot of tough decisions and consideration, I’ve moved on to my next adventure with Bestow Life Insurance...

https://www.danhauk.com/2021/08/31/the-next-chapter/

For the past couple months a team of designers has been neck deep in user research and exercises designed to help us absorb and synthesize everything we’ve learned. We started from curiosity: h...

https://www.danhauk.com/2018/07/18/seeking-a-broader-perspective-in-design/

When I think about personal growth I typically think of horizontal growth. That is, adding as many skills, knowledge, and pieces to the puzzle as possible. And I love learning new things a lot. I...

https://www.danhauk.com/2018/01/19/scaling-vertically/

A few years ago I hit a creative block. Now, I know this is nothing new. Whether it’s a short block specific to a project or a longer period of burnout, everyone has those times where they’re...

https://www.danhauk.com/2017/10/04/finding-inspiration-in-the-mundane/

Assumptions can be difficult to overcome. Many times we don’t even realize we’re making them. As an experienced product designer, I find it easier to make these assumptions. They more easily ...

https://www.danhauk.com/2017/09/01/keeping-product-assumptions-in-check/

Error messages. Those little things everyone hates to see. As designers, we like to design the best possible experience for getting users through the task at hand. But it’s our job to put as mu...

https://www.danhauk.com/2017/07/31/sending-the-right-message-with-form-validation/

Emails help to create a cohesive experience from start to finish. It reduces cognitive overhead and friction. It shows you put a lot of thought into every aspect of your product. Have you ever si...

https://www.danhauk.com/2017/07/12/dont-forget-the-emails/

Last week, 467 developers, designers, and happiness engineers descended upon Whistler, Canada. Every Automattician that could make it joined together near Vancouver for the eleventh annual Automa...

https://www.danhauk.com/2016/09/26/automattic-grand-meetup-2016/