I didn’t immediately connect DJing and UX when I started doing both, but over time the similarities became hard to ignore. The tools are completely different, and the outputs don’t look alike, but the way you approach the work ends up feeling very similar.

Both start with constraints. In UX, those tend to show up as problem statements, user needs, business goals, technical limitations, or timelines. In DJing, the constraints are just as real, even if they’re less formal. When I’m creating a mix, I usually have a general direction in mind—what kind of energy I want, how long it should be, and what sound I want to explore. When I’m playing live, the constraints shift to the crowd, the setting, the time of day, and the type of event. Playing a late-night house party for a younger crowd is a very different problem than playing an early set for a mixed audience, and those differences shape every decision that follows.

Before getting too far into either process, I spend time understanding what already exists. In UX, that might mean reviewing similar products, identifying common patterns, and noticing where things break down. DJing works the same way. Listening to other mixes or watching other DJs play helps me understand what’s effective, what feels overused, and where there’s room to approach things differently. It’s less about inspiration and more about building context so decisions feel informed rather than arbitrary.

Research, in both cases, is really about validating assumptions. In UX, that often means testing a flow or prototype to see whether it actually supports the behavior you’re designing for. With DJing, it might mean sharing a mix with someone whose taste I trust or playing it in a low-pressure setting to see if it matches the mood I was aiming for. The feedback isn’t always spelled out, but it’s there if you pay attention.

What ties all of this together is judgment. In both UX and DJing, you’re constantly making decisions based on incomplete information. You weigh constraints, draw from past examples, test ideas, and adjust your approach based on what you’re seeing and hearing. The process is less about following a rigid formula and more about knowing how to respond thoughtfully within the situation you’re in.

That’s why DJing has continued to influence how I think about UX. It’s a reminder that good experiences don’t come from isolated decisions or perfect plans. They come from understanding context, respecting constraints, and making intentional choices with real people in mind.