Patrick Feger, a seasoned product designer, shares insights from his extensive experience in both startups and larger companies. He discusses the importance of stakeholder management, the intersection of business strategy and design, and the evolving nature of design practices. Patrick also reflects on the challenges faced during interviews and the need for designers to adopt a more research-oriented mindset. The conversation concludes with personal reflections on career aspirations and the importance of understanding the user experience.

Takeaways
Patrick has 14-15 years of experience in product design.
He has worked in both startups and larger companies.
Managing stakeholders is crucial in both environments.
Understanding business strategy enhances design effectiveness.
Constraints in business can guide design activities.
Designers should think like researchers and PMs.
Gotcha interview questions can be frustrating for designers.
Design systems can sometimes hinder creativity.
It's important for designers to advocate for user needs.
Personal health and nutrition are important to Patrick.

Chapters
00:00 Semi-cold Open?
00:16 Introducing Patrick and His Background
03:31 Similarities Between Startups and Larger Companies
22:38 The Evolving Role of Designers in the Age of AI
29:49 Interview questions that really grind Patrick's gears.
37:35 Asking Thoughtful Questions in Interviews
41:45 What's one thing that you would change about your profession?
44:28 What's one thing you wish more people cared about?
45:32 What accomplishment are you most proud of that you didn't get paid to do?
46:52 No salsa, mild salsa, or spicy salsa?
48:47 What's your favorite place on earth?
49:24 What do wish you'd done differently?
50:11 What would you do for a living if you left what you're doing now?
50:40 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?