An In-Depth Review of the Growth.Design Product Psychology Course
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Course
After sharing my thoughts on Growth.Design’s Product Psychology Masterclass a year ago, I've received numerous inquiries through LinkedIn, asking for further insights about the course and my recommendations. Instead of responding individually, I decided to compile an article to address common questions in one go. Let’s explore some of the frequently asked queries.
Why Did I Choose to Invest $1XXX?
Like many others, I became intrigued by their case studies some time ago. I found their storytelling approach, engaging comic-style presentations, and in-depth analysis of psychology fascinating. This led me to consider how design decisions influence business outcomes, prompting a desire to bridge the gap between UX design and business strategy.
My decision to enroll in the course was driven by two main factors:
Applying Psychological Principles to My Design Work
I hold a dual master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction and have extensively studied human behavior and cognitive science. Yet, I often feel a disconnect between academic theories and my daily tasks as a Product Designer. I'm eager to understand how Louis-Xavier and Dan construct their case studies, the psychological frameworks they employ, and how they relate their findings to user behavior and real-world data.
Enhancing My Storytelling Skills
I also aim to improve my storytelling ability. While there are numerous resources discussing design principles, articulating the rationale behind certain design choices can be challenging. Often, our decisions are based on instinct or prior experiences. I believe that by grounding my design rationale in psychological theories, I can better communicate the merits of my choices to PMs, Engineers, and other stakeholders.
Is the Course Content Worth the Investment?
The answer to this question is subjective—it varies depending on your background and objectives. For those uncertain about the course, I recommend exploring the free case studies available on their website to gauge your interest.
Course Structure
As outlined on their homepage, the course comprises five primary modules:
- Understanding User Behaviors
- Identifying Gaps & Enhancing Experiences
- Crafting Delightful User Journeys
- Communicating Product Decisions
- Creating Ethical & Compassionate Products
On average, each module took me about 5 to 10 hours to complete. This includes 1 to 2 hours for reading lessons, 1 to 2 hours for homework, and 3 to 5 hours for supplementary studies, which often consist of books that require additional time to digest.
Presentation of Content
Each lesson includes slides, written summaries, additional readings, assignments, and templates. The format mirrors their case studies but offers deeper insights and more examples.
I must admit that the course felt quite theoretical during my initial run, particularly in the second module, which covers the BIAS framework and over 20 cognitive biases. It took me some time to fully grasp all the concepts 😅. I highly recommend opting for the lifetime access offer, allowing you to revisit the material as needed.
I even printed key psychological principles and placed them on my desk for daily reference.
Chapter 2: Impact on My Professional Journey
The first video discusses how psychological insights can enhance product design and services.
Growth.Design's Influence on My Work
My experience with Growth.Design has significantly altered my approach to design. Here are a few key changes:
Increased Awareness of User Interactions
The course taught me that our interactions with digital products closely mirror our real-life experiences. For example, if something annoys you in real life, you’ll likely feel the same frustration while using a digital platform. Take onboarding tooltips—how often have you encountered products bombarding you with tooltips that you just want to skip? This parallels the irritation you’d feel if a store employee inundated you with explanations as you entered.
After completing the course, I became adept at connecting everyday experiences to the digital products I design, leading to more intuitive and user-friendly designs.
Application of Psychological Principles
I developed an app during the pandemic aimed at motivating users with daily quotes. I discovered that users who added widgets on their first day were more likely to convert to paying customers. However, I struggled with the onboarding process until the course guided me in analyzing user flow through a psychological framework, ultimately increasing widget installation conversions by 225% and doubling my revenue.
Documenting My Insights
Since finishing the course, I’ve started writing blogs that delve into user psychology, with some gaining traction on Medium. Examples include:
- Designing User Onboarding: Lessons from Figma, Duolingo, and More
- Airbnb vs. Booking.com: Which Offers Superior UX?
- Dear Picnic App: Addressing Concerns for International Users
Is the Product Psychology Masterclass Right for You?
Returning to the core question, like any educational investment, success requires self-discipline. While the course includes practical assignments, it demands time to absorb theoretical principles. If you're genuinely interested in mastering the articulation of design decisions and linking design to user psychology, this course is ideal for you.
If you're hesitant, I recommend reviewing their case studies first. Additionally, here are testimonials from past participants to provide further insights into their learning experiences.
Other Resources for Growth Design
While Growth.Design is a fantastic starting point, several other resources have enriched my understanding of growth-driven product design:
- Growth Designer Community: Founded by growth design leaders, this community started as a Slack group and now offers a course on growth design.
- Growthmates Podcast: Hosted by Kate Syuma, this podcast features interviews with experienced growth practitioners from companies like Canva and Miro.
- Reforge: Ideal for those looking to explore product-led growth strategies and analytics.
- Product-Led: A resource for exploring Product-Led Growth (PLG) with books and courses available.
- BuiltForMars: Offers case studies that examine the psychological principles behind product success and failure.
Conclusion
I hope this review assists you in deciding whether to invest your time and resources in the Growth.Design Product Psychology Masterclass. Should you have any further queries, feel free to reach out.
The second video provides a masterclass on achieving seemingly impossible goals, which can be a valuable addition to your learning journey.