Damjan Obal, PhD

A T-shaped product thinker walking the line between ux research and design since 2006.

DoB: 03.11.1983, Maribor / Slovenia

Education

PhD Computer Science (HCI), University of Maribor & University of Lapland (2013)

My HCI dissertation was based on numerous projects where I combined UCD and PD design practice with existing IxD and UXD approaches. Focusing especially on the domain of ubiquitous and embedded systems and how we could integrate users in the design practice of those complex products.

Title of the dissertation: “Integrating users in the interaction design of ubiquitous systems.”

PhD (visiting researcher), University of Lapland (2009-2010)

Most of my PhD projects and work were done at the University of Lapland at the Faculty for Art and Design. I was involved in Intermedia projects and projects dealing with novel user interfaces and research and design of user experience. All combined with the world famous Scandinavian participatory design thinking.

Work experience

Head of Design, Ardoq (2023 - )

Heading the design team (13) and building out design practice. www.ardoq.com / Norway

Principal UX researcher, Cognite (2022 - 2023)

Structuring and scaling up UX research practice, mentoring, and guiding. www.cognite.com / Norway

Design research lead, Pexip (2020 - 2022)

Lead researcher and interim UX lead for new verticals and collaboration experiences. www.pexip.com / Norway

Research Director, Cognizant (2020)

Team lead (8 Researchers, UX and service designers) and main POC with the client. / Norway

Design research lead, Cisco Webex (2018-2020)

Research lead for new Webex devices & user research, testing of existing ones. www.webex.com / Norway

Design research & UX design, Xeneta (2017-2018)

UX strategy, process & foundations. UX lead on the Admin product. www.xeneta.com / Norway

Global Head of UX, Entain/GVC (2015-2017)

22 (+ 25 consultants) designers, researchers across 4 locations. www.entaingroup.com / Austria, UK, Gibraltar

Chief storyteller, Edgar (2013-2015)

Co-founded a VC-backed startup that helped SMEs tell their stories. www.edgartells.me / Bulgaria, USA

Head of UX, 24alife (2013-2014)

Mikropis, IBM & Mayo Clinic joint venture, corporate wellbeing. www.24alife.com / USA, Slovenia

UX lead, Challenge:Future (2008-2012)

Building a crowdcasting platform) to empower underprivileged youth. www.challengefuture.org / NL

Guest lecturer, PhD researcher (2008 -)

University of Maribor, University of Lapland, TU Wien, Technikum Wien, Brainster Academy

Research/Design, BlokBlok (2008 -)

Running a micro-studio that works with not-so-micro clients. www.blok-blok.com / global