Was Uber Really the Result of Experience Design?

Have you ever been in New York City, watching the clock, just waiting for your opportunity to escape to the airport for your flight home?

I have - too many times to count.

A certain percentage of those times turned into disasters when it began to rain. I couldn’t find a taxi. They were all tied up with everyone else who suddenly didn’t want to walk a few blocks in the rain. I’ve missed flights. I’ve gotten soaked. I really despised going to NYC for work.

That problem has been solved - at least partially (nothing is perfect).

I recently saw a video presentation that purported to demonstrate how Uber’s emergence was a result of an experience design workshop, a double-diamond and a pinwheel designed to accommodate sticky notes. The output? Wall posters.

This was a #JTBD presentation. 🤦🏻

I’m sure this is exactly the kind of evidence that this new business model was funded on. I’m absolutely certain … because of all the data!

While Uber may very well have been conceived …