Mat Duerden - Unlock the Experience Ladder. How to Elevate Experiences from Memorable to Transformative

Dive into a captivating discussion on experience design with Mat Duerden, Department Chair of Experience Design and Management in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and Co-Author of the book Experience Design. Reveals how intentional design can transform everyday moments into powerful experiences. Mat shares his journey from adventurous childhood whitewater rafting to pioneering leadership in experience design education, illustrating the “experience ladder” from ordinary to transformative.They also explore how attention has become scarce in today’s fast-paced world, emphasising co-creation, reflection, and lessons learned from recent global shifts. Discover how thoughtful design can spark meaningful change in personal and professional realms.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Experience Design02:47 Personal Journey and Early Influences05:59 Defining Experience Design08:57 Academic Environment and Experience Design Education12:00 Global Trends in Experience Design14:59 Intentionality in Experience Design18:13 The Experience Ladder: From Ordinary to Transformative21:12 Reflection and Meaning in Experiences24:03 The Importance of Transformative Experiences26:47 Navigating Transformation in a Rapidly Changing World32:47 The Scarcity of Attention35:44 Guided Transformations in Experience Design37:40 The Role of Experience Designers41:51 The Evolution of Work Experiences50:28 Future of Experience Design01:01:25 Connecting Through ExperiencesMats bio & linksMat is the Department Chair of Experience Design and Management at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. His experience design research focuses on memorable, meaningful, and transformative experiences. He also collaborates on research exploring the neurological connection between storytelling and social connection. Mat’s publications have appeared in various journals, including the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Environmental Psychology, Journal of Adolescent Research, and Journal of Leisure Research. Mat co-authored Designing Experiences with Robert Rossman, which was published in 2019 by Columbia Business School Press. In 2021, Axiom Business Awards selected the book as a silver medalist winner in the Business Intelligence/Innovation category. Mat works with organisations across various sectors, including healthcare, education, not-for-profit, tourism, manufacturing, and consumer product goods, to provide training and consulting around experience design. Mat Duerden (LinkedIn)ProfessorAlumni Distinguished FellowDepartment of Experience Design and ManagementMarriott School of BusinessBrigham Young University Co-author of Designing Experiences ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★