“I help businesses and product teams reach their objectives by structuring successful UX programs, enabling research teams, guiding UX operations strategies, and executing a wide variety of UX research across the product development lifecycle.”
Michael J. DeVries is a seasoned User Experience (UX) executive whose career spans more than three decades of deep, human-centered leadership, research innovation, and strategic advisory roles. With over 30 years of experience and more than 14 years in high-impact management and mentorship positions, Michael has become a trusted voice in UX research and operations, sought after for his ability to translate complex human behaviors into actionable business strategies. Throughout his career, he has consistently helped organizations bridge the gap between user needs and business imperatives, resulting in products and services that are not only effective but meaningfully engaging.
Michael’s professional journey began with a foundation in cognitive psychology, where he focused on understanding the mental demands of complex systems. His early work with the U.S. Air Force’s Operational Test & Evaluation Center and Armstrong Labs laid the groundwork for a career grounded in the science of human behavior and decision-making. From this foundation, he developed a unique capability: leveraging cognitive analysis and insights into “how users think” to optimize user research methods, metrics, and interface design across all parts of the product development lifecycle.
The transition into the corporate sphere marked a significant evolution in Michael’s career. At Sprint and its digital startup SprintPCS.com, he led groundbreaking work in competitive usability, helping shape early digital experiences in a rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape. His leadership of over 150 product evaluations—including the first iPhone and Android devices, enterprise software, website, invoices, brick-n-mortar stores, and more—positioned him as a central figure in Sprint’s UX research program. His design insights and strategic recommendations influenced dozens of product decisions, internal tools, consumer-facing services, and marketing campaigns.
As Michael’s expertise grew, so did his leadership responsibilities. At the University of Phoenix (Apollo Education Group), he was pivotal in developing and maturing the UX research function in both management and operational spheres. He was tasked by the CFO and COO to lead a year-long, mixed-method research journey that mapped the entire student digital experience. This work served as a strategic decision support system for senior executives, aligning user insights with enterprise-level resource allocation and road mapping. As UX Interim Director, he led a cross-functional team of researchers and designers through transformative digital product design and organizational changes. Michael was responsible for the design and management of the User Experience Center (UXC), a 600-square foot UX Lab.
At Exponent, Michael ascended to the role of Senior Managing Scientist, where he founded and expanded the firm’s Centers for Scientific User Research (CSUR). In his leadership role he built a 6,000-square-foot UX lab, and personally drove over $400,000 annually in new client research revenue. His lab not only delivers rigorous, multi-disciplinary research collaboration with Practices such as Human Factors, Biomechanics, Data Science, Engineering, Vehicle, and Chemical Regulation and Food Safety, it provides a blank slate that allows research of any kind to be executed using industry best practices, including FDA-aligned validation studies for medical devices and health technology. His thoughtful approach to research process design, lab safety, and stakeholder alignment has helped clients bring safer, more user-friendly products to market.
Michael’s portfolio of accomplishments is as diverse as it is impactful. From advising C-suite executives on strategic UX decisions to postponing product launches due to critical usability flaws, his career is marked by high-stakes engagements and influential decision-making. He’s worked across sectors including education, telecom, healthcare, consumer electronics and products, industrial equipment, sonar, military, medical, and web, mobile app and Sass platforms—each time adapting his UX frameworks to the unique constraints and opportunities of the domain.
A hallmark of Michael’s career is his ability to evangelize UX throughout organizations. Whether through designing and leading tours of high-tech UX labs for university presidents and board members, developing UX Research Programs that integrate tightly with product and development organization, guiding clients through careful consideration of UX Research methods that answer both the immediate product and the distal corporate asks, or mentoring emerging researchers through book reviews and one-on-one ideation sessions, he’s shown an unwavering commitment to elevating the visibility and value of UX. He instills in his teams a deep respect for user advocacy, data synthesis, and strategic foresight, ensuring that the products they help design are not only usable but resonant.
Innovation flows naturally from Michael’s creative mindset. He is a co-author on over a dozen patents related to mobile usability, image capture, and information display, and is actively developing a new product—a multipurpose game table—that reflects his ongoing interest in user experience even beyond the workplace. His analytical curiosity and passion for invention underscore a lifelong dedication to uncovering unmet needs and solving complex challenges with elegant, user-centric solutions. Michael has also used his UX skills in his volunteered time, increasing process efficiency, participation rates, and user satisfaction.
Michael’s influence also extends to thought leadership and industry engagement. As part of his portfolio he has developed a revised perspective on how UX Research fits into the product development lifecycle, and has recently shared it publicly as a LinkedIn thought piece. In his personal time, he is preparing a book commentary series and engaging more intentionally with the broader UX community online. His ability to communicate compelling narratives through research findings, visual storytelling, and executive summaries makes him a standout communicator and leader.
Throughout his career, Michael has remained anchored in core values—empathy, rigor, collaboration, and integrity. He is not just a UX researcher or program builder; he is a strategic partner, an innovator, and a champion for meaningful design. Whether guiding clients through the nuance of best research practices or advising on product strategy, he brings a rare blend of technical excellence and executive insight that makes a lasting impact.
Character:
Michael exemplifies integrity and empathy, building relationships based on trust and always putting user advocacy at the heart of decision-making. He creates team environments where individuals feel respected, heard, and empowered to bring their best ideas forward.
Knowledge:
With over 30 years of domain expertise in UX, cognitive psychology, and human factors, Michael’s knowledge is deep and interdisciplinary. His experience in both academic and corporate setting, with multiple patents and publications, reflects his expertise in and commitment to advancing the field.
Strategic:
Michael’s ability to connect research insights to business objectives is a hallmark of his leadership. He consistently influences organizational priorities, helping teams allocate resources effectively and make informed decisions that enhance product success and user satisfaction.
Communication:
Whether engaging with C-suite executives or mentoring junior researchers, Michael’s communication style is clear, compelling, and purpose-driven. He excels at translating complex data into actionable insights and guiding teams toward a shared vision of user-centered success.
