UX design is centered around user needs, aiming to simplify complex systems and provide a better experience for end-users. Poor UX can lead to a "data monster," causing users to struggle with the application and leading to frustration and abandonment. Design thinking is a process that involves empathy, defining problems, ideation, prototyping, and testing to create a solution that meets user needs. By applying design thinking principles, data-heavy applications can reduce cognitive strain and increase user trust. The process can be applied early in the discovery phase, ensuring everyone involved is speaking the same language and working towards a common goal.