"Think Local, Act Global" With Erin Williams, Global XD At McDonald's The Bad Pod, An Advertising podcast

2M ago 58:58

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Our Favorite Stories

Erin’s unconventional path to advertising—starting with an English and film degree, moving to Chicago, and launching a scrappy startup before breaking into UX.
The “hot cake” corporate training at McDonald’s, where new hires spend a full day working in a restaurant, and how it shaped her design perspective.
How McDonald’s global headquarters offers a rotating international menu, giving employees and customers a taste of different cultures.

Big Moments from Doing the Work

Moving from startups and agencies to massive brands like Walmart and McDonald’s, learning to design for “everyone.”
The balance between clarity and cleverness in UX—how focusing on human behavior and needs leads to better design.
The reality of global UX at McDonald’s—creating a digital standard that works across diverse cultures while allowing for local customization.
The importance of field research and real-world observation in UX, from drive-thru experiences to kiosk interactions.

Career Advice We'll Live With

Selling your ideas is just as important as having great ones—whether it’s convincing a team or educating leadership on UX value.
Designing for inclusivity starts at the beginning, not as a late-stage checklist.
Patience is key in big organizations—meaningful change happens over years, not weeks.
A great UX designer is also a great communicator—storytelling and persuasion matter just as much as technical skills.
The best design teams take risks on unconventional hires, keeping the door open for fresh perspectives.

86 episodes

Our Favorite Stories

Erin’s unconventional path to advertising—starting with an English and film degree, moving to Chicago, and launching a scrappy startup before breaking into UX.
The “hot cake” corporate training at McDonald’s, where new hires spend a full day working in a restaurant, and how it shaped her design perspective.
How McDonald’s global headquarters offers a rotating international menu, giving employees and customers a taste of different cultures.

Big Moments from Doing the Work

Moving from startups and agencies to massive brands like Walmart and McDonald’s, learning to design for “everyone.”
The balance between clarity and cleverness in UX—how focusing on human behavior and needs leads to better design.
The reality of global UX at McDonald’s—creating a digital standard that works across diverse cultures while allowing for local customization.
The importance of field research and real-world observation in UX, from drive-thru experiences to kiosk interactions.

Career Advice We'll Live With

Selling your ideas is just as important as having great ones—whether it’s convincing a team or educating leadership on UX value.
Designing for inclusivity starts at the beginning, not as a late-stage checklist.
Patience is key in big organizations—meaningful change happens over years, not weeks.
A great UX designer is also a great communicator—storytelling and persuasion matter just as much as technical skills.
The best design teams take risks on unconventional hires, keeping the door open for fresh perspectives.

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