Our UX Podcasts
Podcast Episodes
Amy Mitchell on Adding Value as a Product Manager
On this episode of Where Product Meets Design, Amy Mitchell, Product Director at Dell, shares insights into her journey in the product management field. She discusses the common myth that product managers are merely a barrier between engineering and sales, emphasizing the value they bring in consolidating requirements and facilitating communication. Amy also highlights the importance of providing hope and optimism as a product manager. She advocates for embracing conflict and forming a personal point of view.
Watch the EpisodeCalvin Robertson on Intentional Experience Design
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Calvin Robertson, Sr Director, Experience Design - Best Buy. Calvin delves into the nuanced challenges of balancing digital and human interactions, especially at a retail giant like Best Buy. The conversation with Alex Smith covers the importance of understanding customers' diverse behaviors and needs while embracing both DIY and assisted shopping experiences. Calvin also shares valuable leadership insights, emphasizing the need for design leaders to empower their teams and delegate effectively.
Watch the EpisodeGlen Lipka on Career Growth, Education, and Building Better Products
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Glen Lipka, VP, Product Design at CrowdStrike. Glen Lipka advocates for improving design education to equip young designers with practical skills and a deeper understanding of the industry. Additionally, Lipka delves into the concept of design fundamentals, using examples from Salesforce and Excel to illustrate the importance of designing for functionality rather than just aesthetics. He encourages designers to envision a better future and leverage their superpower of imagining and illustrating a compelling vision.
Watch the EpisodeJ B Chaykowsky on Embracing the High Minimum in Design
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with J.B Chaykowsky, Global Design Leader at Intuit. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on the design landscape. J.B. Chaykowsky emphasizes the need for designers to navigate the evolving role of AI carefully, ensuring that they continue to add value in a world where AI democratizes design creation. He also provides valuable advice for designers entering the field today, encouraging them to embrace the 'high minimum' and focus on continuous improvement in their field.
Watch the EpisodeTommy Geoco on Taking the Content Creator Leap
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Tommy Geoco, Owner and Educator at UX Tools. In April 2022, he embraced education for design, founding uxtools.co in 2024. Alex and Tommy discuss the changes to the freelance industry, and hustle culture. He advises new designers to gain experience, and encourages content creation as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Tommy also shares insights on starting a business, differentiating between performance and value activities, and avoiding burnout.
Watch the EpisodeRidhima Gupta on Complex Design Systems
In this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex Smith interviews Ridhima Gupta, Lead Product Designer at Databricks. Ridhima shares her journey in UX, starting as an architecture student and transitioning into digital design during the rise of mobile apps. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the product, domain, and users when designing in complex spaces. They discuss the challenges of catering to diverse user personas in the ML field and she advocates for designers to diversify their skill sets, including coding and technical aspects, to enhance collaboration with engineers and product teams.
Watch the EpisodeFarid Sabitov on Breaking Down Silos Across Ops
On this Design Leader Insights episode, Alex Smith chats with Farid Sabitov, DesignOps Consultant at EPAM Systems. Over the past couple of years, Farid has focused on design operations, particularly in areas like content design, product design, and design systems. His expertise lies in evolving practices and defining metrics to communicate value within large organizations. The discussion touches on the importance of strategic metrics, particularly in the context of design system adoption. Farid advocates for breaking down silos between design ops, product ops, and dev ops, highlighting the need for collaboration and visualizing the product development lifecycle.
Watch the EpisodeSam Horner on Fostering Creativity in UX Teams
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Sam Horner, Head of Apps UX at Google Play, takes us on a journey through his extensive career in design, from his beginnings at the BBC to his current role at Google. Sam shares insights on fostering creativity in UX design teams, emphasizing the importance of finding moments of creative peace and empowerment. He discusses the evolution of mobile devices and the future of user interfaces, highlighting the need for technology to adapt to users' specific needs. Sam also offers valuable advice for both new designers and managers.
Watch the EpisodeLouis Rosenfeld on UX Publishing
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Louis Rosenfeld, Publisher and Founder at Rosenfeld Media. The conversation delves into Rosenfeld's journey into publishing and the emphasis on publishing books on user experience design. They discuss how to successfully structure a conference environment, and what the next big UX book to hit the shelves should be about.
Watch the EpisodeSu Milazzo on Driving Impact with Design Ops
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Su Milazzo, Sr Manager of Design and Product Operations. Su shares insights of her journey to Design Ops, highlighting pivotal moments and challenges along the way. She discusses the evolution of her role, emphasizing the importance of addressing communication gaps and streamlining processes within design teams. Su provides valuable advice for individuals aspiring to enter design ops, stressing the significance of understanding change management and fostering empathy towards team members.
Watch the EpisodeKyle LeBlanc on Advocating for the Designer
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex Smith sits down with Kyle LeBlanc, VP of Design at Teradata. Kyle shares his evolution from graphic and web design to leadership roles, emphasizing his passion for advocating for design as more than just aesthetics but as a critical component of problem-solving and user experience. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from an individual contributor to leading teams, emphasizing the importance of trust, delegation, and allowing space for growth through making mistakes.
Watch the EpisodeChristopher Nguyen on the Shortcomings of UX Education
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Christopher Nguyen, Founder of UX Playbook. They discuss the shortcomings of current UX education, emphasizing the need for practical, real-world experience and soft skills development. Christopher explains his initiative to make UX education more accessible through playbooks, courses, and coaching. Join the conversation as Christopher and host Alex Smith delve into the challenges of UX education.
Watch the EpisodeCarol Rossi on Meaningful Data Collection
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Carol Rossi, User Experience Research Leadership Consulting at Carolrossi.com. They discuss tips for new researchers, and how to approach customers with the right questions. Carol Rossi also emphasizes the importance of methodology in ensuring meaningful data collection while advocating for embracing AI tools and becoming mixed methods researchers. Her approach underscores the significance of demonstrating impact not only at a product level but also organizationally, fostering a culture of research-driven decision-making.
Watch the EpisodeElizabeth Rankin on Navigating Stakeholder Engagement with Research
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Elizabeth Rankin UX Research Director @ Cengage. Join us as Elizabeth shares her diverse journey through consumer packaged goods, corporate research, and ed tech, offering invaluable insights into understanding stakeholders, demystifying intimidating titles, and scaling research processes within organizations. Learn practical strategies for effective communication, building trust, and delivering memorable, actionable results that drive business success.
Watch the EpisodeJean-Baptiste Kaloya on the Value of Design in Banking
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Jean-Baptiste Kaloya - Head of Product Design at Bpifrance. They discuss Jean-Baptiste's diverse experiences, from disassembling computers as a child to leading design at Bpifrance, a bank dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs. JB shares invaluable insights into the strategic role of design in enhancing user experiences, driving efficiency, and creating impactful solutions, offering a compelling narrative of how design intersects with technology and business to transform industries.
Watch the EpisodeAnukriti Verma on Trust and Safety on Socials
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Anukriti Verma Product Design Manager at Linkedin. Anukriti shares her experiences transitioning from an designer to managing designers. They chat about how mentorship played a crucial role in her career development. They also discuss how LinkedIn approaches trust and safety in design, especially in the realm of social media platforms. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, Anukriti's advice on focusing on craft, storytelling, and seeking guidance will inspire you on your own design journey.
Watch the EpisodeAllie Vogel on Global Talent and Cultural Localization in UX
Alex chats with Allie Vogel, Founder, CEO Flexxi Design. Allie shares insights on UX design from her diverse experiences, across different cultures and landscapes. They discuss the burgeoning design scene in Buenos Aires and the trend of nearshoring in South and Central America. Discover practical tips for finding and partnering with local talent, drawing from Allie's expertise in cultural understanding and localization. Gain valuable advice on crafting a standout portfolio to impress potential employers, emphasizing the importance of polished visuals.
Watch the EpisodePrayag Narula on Human vs AI Bias
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Prayag Narula, Co-Founder and CEO of Marvin. The discussion extends to the nuanced topic of biases in research, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging biases rather than attempting their eradication. Additionally, Prayag highlights the crucial role of narrative and communication in research, urging aspiring researchers to refine their storytelling skills. Join Alex and Prayag for an insightful dialogue on the future of research, the integration of AI, and more.
Watch the EpisodeSarfraz Nawaz on Leveraging AI and Driving Value in Product Management
Alex chats with Sarfraz Nawaz, Product Executive in Residence at Mighty Capital. They discuss the myths around product management and the impact of newer technologies on team dynamics. They also chat about the importance of design thinking tools for product managers during the lightening round. Sarfraz offers valuable advice for those aspiring to break into the field and provides insights into the future of product management, including managing P&L and leveraging AI for enhanced user experiences.
Watch the EpisodeJason Giles on the Wild West of AI in UX
Alex chats Jason Giles, VP of Product Design at UserTesting, about his early days at Microsoft working on iconic products like Office 365 and Xbox, to leading design teams at DirectTV and Ticketmaster in the consumer entertainment space. Jason also shares his experiences from the last four years at UserTesting, where he manages a dynamic team within the product organization, focusing on removing friction from businesses by connecting them directly with customers. The conversation covers the evolving role of design teams in talking to customers effectively, the impact of AI and ML on UX design in 2024, and Jason's unique experience as a digital nomad in Scotland.
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