UX, Data & High-Performance – Lessons from Basketball & Business with Marcus Knight

Marcus Knight, Head of UX at n26

What do UX design and basketball have in common? More than you might think. In our latest Pixels + Profit" conversation Sam & Basti had the pleasure of talking to Marcus Knight, Head of UX at n26, about the impact of data on design, decision-making, and performance – in sports and in business.

01 Data in UX: A Constraint or a Powerful Tool?

There’s a common debate in UX design: Are data-driven decisions limiting creativity, or do they enhance it? Marcus argues that data, when used correctly, is a powerful tool rather than a constraint.

“Many designers see data as a restriction, but in reality, it’s a compass. It helps you understand what works – and what doesn’t.” 

He emphasizes that top UX teams integrate data into their design process without losing sight of creativity. The trick? Understanding the why behind the numbers and knowing when to trust insights over intuition.

02 From the Basketball Court to UX Strategy

Before leading UX at N26, Marcus played professional basketball. Surprisingly, the lessons he learned on the court translate directly into high-performance UX teams:

✅ Measure what matters: Just like in sports, UX teams need real-time feedback. In basketball, a coach can see in minutes whether a strategy works. In UX, frequent testing and iteration keep products on track.

✅ Data alone isn’t enough: Stats tell a story, but they don’t capture team dynamics, user emotions, or creativity. The best UX leaders combine quantitative insights with qualitative user research.

✅ Mindset makes the difference: Athletes constantly analyze, adapt, and optimize – a mindset UX designers and product teams should adopt.

03 AI, UX & the Future of Data-Driven Design

With AI-powered analytics becoming more common, we asked Marcus whether AI could replace UX designers or merely enhance their capabilities. His take?

“AI is a tool, not a replacement. It helps us spot patterns, but the interpretation and application still require human expertise.”

The best UX teams will use AI to automate insights, but the real value will still come from human-driven problem-solving and design thinking.

04 Key Takeaways

💡 Data should empower, not replace, creativity in UX design.

💡 UX teams can learn a lot from high-performance sports teams – quick iteration, adaptation, and a focus on results.

💡 AI is changing UX workflows, but human expertise is still essential for meaningful design.

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🎧 Want to hear more? Listen to the full episode of Pixels & Profit here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/44aUsxUpk6RHnmoHqkAbAy?si=ge2Cv-iHT6SIVSIqtn5nYQ

What’s your take on data in UX? Does it enhance or limit creativity? Let us know in the comments!