🔍 When your brand promise doesn't match your customer service...or your product experience...or your content... We've just published an article exploring how Experience Thinking can solve one of the biggest challenges we see with our clients: siloed experiences that don't talk to each other! At Akendi, we know that powerful branding isn't just a marketing initiative—it needs to flow seamlessly across every department and touchpoint. Why? Because your customers experience your company as one entity, not separate teams. Using Tedde van Gelderen's framework, we break down how Brand Experience should be the foundation that connects your Content, Product, and Service Experiences. No more marketing making promises that operations can't deliver on! Check out our latest piece for practical ways to break down those departmental walls and create truly connected experiences your customers will love. #ConnectedExperiences #ExperienceThinking #BrandAlignment #CustomerJourney
About us
Akendi is the premier UX agency specializing in Experience Thinking and innovation transformation. We create holistic, end-to-end experiences that enhance your product and delight users. With our experts in UX design, service design, usability testing, and user research, Akendi is your trusted partner for comprehensive support for your projects and in building effective product design teams. We also offer industry-leading UX courses and certification programs, including UX Design, Usability Testing, Journey Mapping, and User Research. With a global presence in Toronto, Ottawa, New York, Cambridge, and London, UK, we are dedicated to empowering organizations to achieve their user experience goals.
- Website
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https://www.akendi.com
External link for Akendi
- Industry
- Design Services
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Toronto, Ontario
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2007
- Specialties
- user experience design, usability testing, ux training, user research, ux design, customer experience, ux certification, innovation strategy, ux strategy, customer research, service design, service research, cx strategy, experience thinking, Journey Mapping, UX Coaching, information architecture, visual design, Experience Driven Innovation, product definition, product strategy, digital transformation, staff augmentation, team solutions, and agile UX
Locations
Employees at Akendi
Updates
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Sign up for a free spot to hear Akendi’s Tedde van Gelderen as he explores "Design Thinking in Practice: From Empathy to Innovation," in partnership with UI Collective. When: Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 12pm - 1pm EST (Online) Learn why traditional problem-solving approaches often fall short in addressing complex user needs and how to best leverage Design Thinking principles to make your products better. Tedde will also provide tactical advice on gaining stakeholder buy-in and building a culture of user-centered innovation. There will be a Q+A so bring your burning questions and challenges for tactical advice. Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gaYDWUDt #Innovation #DesignThinking #ExperienceThinking #UICollective #Training #UX
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The latest fridge magnet poetry from the offices of Akendi. Sharing moments of joy is our strong suit. Which one is your favourite? #OfficeCulture #CreativityAtWork #FridgePoetry #UX #ExperienceThinking
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Most decision-making doesn't come from our rational mind. This is a perfect example of choosing a product based on emotions once the basic criteria is met (I need a gym). Great example of why it's important to consider every aspect of an experience, Daniel Iaboni!
My wife recently compared two different gyms. They were nearly identical on paper—they had the same class format, equipment, and similar-quality instructors. Yet, she happily paid much more for one than the other. Why? The experience. At the gym, she chose, everything around the class is designed to make her feel valued. One quick example is that her smoothie is ready for her when she steps out of class. The brand, the vibe, the small details—all of it adds to something that feels better, even though the core product (the fitness class) is the same. This is a perfect example of why customer experience (CX) matters. It's not just about what you offer—it's about how people experience it. The best product in the world won't win if the surrounding experience is frustrating, impersonal, or forgettable. If you're ever trying to justify the value of good CX, consider this: my wife is willing to pay nearly double the price for a better experience. And she's not alone. Let Akendi help you improve your customer experience. https://lnkd.in/ee8cPtar #CX #customerexperience #servicedesign
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From Thinking to Experiencing: A New Era in Design Design Thinking has long been the gold standard for innovation, but is it enough? As user expectations evolve, so must our approach. In this post Akendi's Tedde van Gelderen guides us through how Experience Thinking goes beyond problem-solving—it builds connected, meaningful, and holistic experiences that transcend individual products and services. Read more to learn about how Experience Thinking: ✔︎ Bridges organizational silos ✔︎ Aligns multidisciplinary design ✔︎ Crafts emotionally resonant, omni-channel interactions that grow with your users The future of design isn’t just about thinking—it’s about experiencing. Are you ready to evolve? Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gcDy8yjd
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Join Akendi's Tedde van Gelderen for an interesting and pragmatic discussion on "Design Thinking in Practice: From Empathy to Innovation", in collaboration with UI Collective. When: Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 12pm - 1pm EST Learn why traditional problem-solving approaches often fall short in addressing complex user needs and how to best leverage Design Thinking principles to make your products better. Tedde will also provide tactical advice on gaining stakeholder buy-in and building a culture of user-centered innovation. There will be a Q+A so bring your burning questions and challenges for tactical advice. Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gaYDWUDt #Innovation #DesignThinking #ExperienceThinking #UICollective #Training #UX
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Experience Thinking: Why Design Thinking Isn't Enough Anymore Let's be honest – creating great products isn't enough these days. Your customers don't just interact with a single product or touchpoint – they experience your entire brand ecosystem. And here's the thing: traditional design thinking, while valuable, wasn't built for this connected world. Think about Starbucks. They didn't win by making the best coffee (sorry, Starbucks fans!). They won by creating an experience so compelling that people happily pay twice as much for their daily brew. It's not about the coffee – it's about the entire experience. Watch Tedde van Gelderen in this recent event hosted by UI Collective, and learn where Experience Thinking comes in, and how you can built on these four key pillars of XT: • Your brand promise and identity • Content people actually want to engage with • Ensuring your products solve real problems • The service that seamlessly ties it all together Experience Thinking helps you move beyond reacting to make experience an equal partner in your decision-making. Learn how to create connected experiences because at the end of the day, your customers don't care about your organizational structure – they care about the experience you deliver. #ExperienceDesign #UX #CustomerExperience #Innovation #UICollective https://lnkd.in/gMkw4gBp
Design Thinking is OUT! Experience Thinking is IN! - A UI Collective Event
https://www.youtube.com/
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The #DesignforChange Challenge presented by Wilfrid Laurier University was a powerful showcase of student innovation, bringing together bright minds across Canada to tackle real-world challenges using AI. As a judge, Tedde van Gelderen played a key role in evaluating the top submissions, witnessing firsthand the participants' creativity, dedication, and problem-solving skills. From AI-driven solutions for neurodivergent learners to tools that enhance communication for the hard of hearing, the competition highlighted the transformative potential of technology in improving lives. The rigorous judging process, including video pitches and in-depth discussions, ensured that the most impactful ideas soared to the top. For Tedde, the experience was inspiring and rewarding, reaffirming the importance of fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of UX designers. As AI continues to shape the future, competitions like these offer a glimpse into the possibilities ahead—where technology meets empathy to create meaningful change. Take a look at the 2024-2025 Winners! https://lnkd.in/geZUtfNf
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Our Head of UX was making some new friends at DLS 2025 this month! 👏
Today, I'm reflecting on an inspiring and uplifting experience at the Design Leadership Summit 2025. This was my first year attending, and certainly won't be the last! This conference is serious about establishing and cultivating community. I'm so grateful for the new connections made, wonderful conversations, and thoughtful talks. Thank you DesignX Community!
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