Work example
Kayla Heffernan
Why no one is following your instructions (and ...

If no one is listening, it's probably a design problem. The tips in the article will help you craft messages people can actually understand and act on.

Why no one is following your instructions (and how to fix it)
Work example
Kayla Heffernan
Consistency isn’t optional — it’s core to ...

Is your style guide being ignored? It’s not just a branding issue — it’s a usability problem. Learn why consistency is core, not optional — and how to get teams on board.

Consistency isn’t optional — it’s core to usability
Thought leadership
Kayla Heffernan
From 2015 to 2024: how real estate websites ...

In 2015, I embarked on the journey of buying my first home. At that time, I wrote a blog post critiquing the UX of real estate websites through a, somewhat sarcastic, persona named ‘Kayla’ and listed out ‘her’ (my) user needs and how they weren’t being met. Discover how real estate websites have evolved from 2015 to 2024 through a personal lens. Spoiler alert – it still sucks, but it sucks a little less.

In this blog post, I evaluate how current real estate platforms address user needs such as viewing new properties, staying within budget, accessing accurate information, and managing inspection schedules. It suggests key improvements and practical recommendations for improving real estate website UX.

From 2015 to 2024: how real estate websites have evolved
Work example, Thought leadership
Kayla Heffernan
Why you need to observe your users

Sometimes it feels that UX Research has become synonymous with surveys. They’re cheap, easy & can reach large amounts of users. Sounds great, right? Wrong. Surveys are not enough

Why you need to observe your users
Thought leadership
Kayla Heffernan
Four things I wish I knew earlier in my career ...

I took a pause and then answered four things I am sure they were not expecting. My tips are about how to improve the health and happiness of your work life.

Four things I wish I knew earlier in my career that I now know

Public speaking

7 lessons for building your career

Advice for year 12 students at UoMs Careers Fair

Read the full post on Medium for free

  1. Lesson 1: Find a way to follow your passions

  2. Lesson 2: You don’t need to know what you want to do or be

  3. Lesson 3: Try different things to find what you like, then find ways to do more of that

  4. Lesson 4: Your career is a jungle gym, not a ladder

  5. Lesson 5: Use social media with intent, only if it brings you joy

  6. Lesson 6: Your mental health and wellbeing is more important than digital exposure

  7. Lesson 7: Promote yourself and share knowledge in a way that is comfortable for you








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Design is as good (or as flawed) as the people who make it

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Design is as good (or as flawed) as the people who make it

gave a talk at UX Australia 2016 in Melbourne (August 25–26) . No one sets out to intentionally design a system that is hard to use for — or worse, excludes or discriminates against —  some users. Designers are trying their best. You’re probably a good person, but a human nonetheless, therefore not perfect. Design can only be as good as the people who make it. Conversely, design is as flawed as the people who make it. 

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Designing for People you Didn't Know Existed

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Designing for People you Didn't Know Existed

Last week a few of us from SEEK went to UX Australia, a conference dedicated to all things user experience. I gave a 10-minute talk at UX Australia which was recorded and will eventually be available but in the mean time here’s a sneak peak.

By now we all know we are not the user, it has been drilled in to us enough times. But how do you design for people you might not know exist. How many genders are there? You might think two if you’ve never met an intersex person.