99.9˙% of design trends are overrated make belief! User feedback can create valid products if we: 👉🏽 Follow Biology! Every target group has a specific biology. This includes physical and psychological ergonomics, as well as sensory, cognitive and motor limitations! 👉🏽 Ignore What they say! It's about finding out what the commonalities of hidden signals are! Compare reaction times and body language in video tests. I often found people saying that the new system is fine, while they missed the completion of the tasks. 👉🏽 Find Sources and Patterns Can I read out «utility preferences» or «endowment effects»? It's about finding out the «Why»! Patterns can be explored best through quick experiments!

Balancing user feedback and design trends while keeping your brand identity intact can be tricky, but it's totally doable. I always start by sticking to our brand's core values, making sure every design decision aligns with our principles. I set up a solid feedback loop to gather and analyze user input regularly, ensuring it fits well with our brand. Keeping up with design trends helps us adapt the ones that match our brand's style and skip the ones that don't. This way, we keep our unique identity while staying relevant.

Balancing user feedback with design trends while preserving brand identity is like navigating a tightrope—precision is key. Here’s my formula: 1. Anchor in the Brand DNA: Define your non-negotiables—core visual elements, tone, and behaviors that embody your identity. 2. Segment Feedback: Use behavioral clustering to identify feedback patterns that align with your audience's psychology, filtering noise from actionable insights. 3. Selective Trend Adoption: Embrace trends as enhancers, not disruptors—integrate only those that amplify your brand story. At Stikkman UX, we revamped a healthcare app, seamlessly blending minimalist design trends while retaining the warm, approachable tone that users loved. The key? Fidelity to its core ethos.

I establish clear brand design principles as a foundation, then selectively integrate user feedback and trends that align with these core values. This allows for evolution while maintaining brand consistency and authenticity.

To balance user feedback and design trends while maintaining brand identity, anchor every decision in your brand's core mission and values. Use feedback as a lens to refine—not redefine—your brand. Embrace trends selectively, ensuring they enhance your unique identity rather than overshadow it. Consistency across touchpoints is key to staying true to your brand while evolving with user needs.