In this conversation, Ildikó Tóth shares her journey from engineering to product design, discussing the complexities of design, the role of AI, and the importance of ethics in the field. She emphasizes the need for feedback, accessibility, and mentorship while reflecting on her personal growth and the challenges of the design industry. The conversation also touches on the impact of legislation on design practices and the significance of understanding user needs.

Takeaways
Ildikó transitioned from engineering to product design after discovering her passion for user experience.
The complexity of design increases with technological advancements, requiring a balance between user needs and development.
AI presents both opportunities and risks in design, necessitating careful consideration of its implications.
Ethical design is crucial to prevent potential harms and ensure user safety.
Feedback is essential for personal and professional growth in the design field.
Accessibility is becoming a more significant focus in product design.
Mentorship can provide valuable support and guidance for emerging designers.
Legislation may play a role in holding companies accountable for ethical design practices.
The importance of understanding user needs cannot be overstated in product design.
Personal growth involves setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care.

Chapters
00:00 Baby Open
05:04 The Switch from ENG to PD
09:15 AI Will Fix It! ....
18:40 Risk Tolerance and How Far Can We Push it?
39:31 7 +/- 2 Questions
39:52 What's one thing you would change about your profession?
48:44 What's one thing you wish people cared more about?
52:14 What accomplishment are you most proud of that you weren't paid to do? 55:34 No salsa, mild salsa, or spicy salsa?
55:51 What's your favorite place on earth?
57:49 What do you wish you'd done differently?
01:00:22 What would you do for a living if you left what you're doing now?
01:05:17 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?

Keywords
Ildikó Tóth, product design, UX research, AI in design, ethical design, mentorship, career transition, accessibility, design complexity, feedback culture

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?

The conversation covers topics such as Tim's transition from music to design, the different paths people take to enter the design profession, and the need for foundational knowledge in design. We also explore the challenges of assessing skill gaps in a team and helping individuals fill those gaps.

In this conversation, Tim McKenna discusses the need to create a more unified and inclusive design profession. He highlights the importance of embracing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of designers and finding ways to integrate them into the field. Tim also reflects on the challenges of balancing work and personal life, overcoming fear and uncertainty, and the value of continuous learning. He shares his passion for brewing beer and the satisfaction he finds in helping others. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of growth, balance, and community in the design profession.

00:00 Introduction and the Unreliability of Memory
00:38 From Music to Design: Tim's Journey
02:23 The Different Paths to Design
07:51 Wherein we actually start talking about design stuff...
14:19 Comparing the Then and Now
29:18 Filling... Bridging? ... Skill Gaps
37:46 7 +/- 2 Questions
37:59 What is one thing you would change about your profession?
41:25 What's one thing you wish more people cared about?
42:49 What accomplishment are you most proud of that you weren't paid to do?
45:21 No salsa, mild salsa, or spicy salsa?
45:43 What's your favorite place on earth?
47:19 What do you wish you'd done differently?
52:55 What would you do for a living if you left what you're doing now?
57:37 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?
59:54 Like and Subscribe?

In this conversation, Jessica Frech Knowles and Matthew discuss the challenges and frustrations of working in the design industry. They touch on the importance of trust and education in building successful relationships with stakeholders. They also explore the lack of support and guidance for professionals in leadership positions and the need for more intentional career paths.

Takeaways
Treating stakeholders as users can help improve collaboration and understanding.
Leadership plays a crucial role in protecting design and guiding decision-making.
Investing in design is essential for companies to create impactful and successful products.
The design profession is evolving, and designers need to adapt to new challenges and responsibilities.
Collaboration and communication between different roles in a company are key to successful product development. Building trust and educating oneself are crucial in establishing successful relationships with stakeholders.
Professionals in leadership positions often lack support and guidance, leading to challenges in their roles.
Balancing screen time and finding creative outlets can help alleviate stress in the design industry.
Being intentional about career paths and valuing oneself beyond stakeholders' opinions is important for personal growth and fulfillment.
Confidence is valuable, but it should be earned and not blind to one's challenges.

Sound Bites
"Treating stakeholders like a user instead of a stakeholder"
"Design's job is to stand in front of the door that the business is trying to run through and say, no, no, you can't do that"
"If you let design at the table, it's going to help protect you from becoming one of those instances of putting too many big bets in the wrong places"
"I do expect people to educate themselves briefly."
"The system requires them to hit the ground running, not that anybody ever hits the ground running."
"There is no such thing as a design emergency."

Chapters
00:00 Not-so-cold Open
00:31 Introducing Jessica
04:15 Now vs Then Perspective
06:26 How to Not Die on Hills
09:18 Treating Stakeholders like Users
16:01 The Role of Leadership in Design
20:32 Investing in Design and Company Culture
25:37 Design's Impact on Decision-Making
27:49 Building Trust and Educating Stakeholders
32:25 Red Flag Finding
36:02 7 +/- 2 Questions
36:29 What is one thing you would change about your profession?
39:17 What is one thing that you wish more people cared about?
40:00 What accomplishment are you most proud of that you weren't paid to do?
41:06 No salsa, mild salsa, or spicy salsa?
43:18 What is your favorite place on Earth?
44:09 What do you wish you'd done differently?
46:53 What would you do for a living if you left what you're doing right now?
48:55 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?
54:36 outro


keywords
design, product development, careers, challenges, stakeholders, leadership, collaboration, design industry, trust, education, stakeholders, leadership, intentional career paths, screen time, creative outlets, confidence, arrogance, stress, future

Our conversation explores the challenges and pitfalls of the current approach to design and product development. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the user's needs and context, rather than just following best practices or relying on data. Overall, it highlights the need for a more thoughtful and intentional approach to design and product development. In this conversation, Pavel Samsonov discusses the importance of creating alignment and collaboration among different teams in order to deliver a successful product. He emphasizes the need for designers, product managers, and engineers to work together towards a shared goal and to prioritize user experience. Pavel also highlights the significance of sustainability, both in terms of environmental impact and team well-being. He shares his thoughts on the role of designers in shaping useful and usable products and the need for continuous learning and growth in the field.

Jason Bejot, a technologist and designer, shares his career journey and insights into his design process. He started as a computer scientist and transitioned into design while working at an agency. During our conversation, he emphasizes the importance of defining the problem and thinking through the potential unintended consequences of design decisions. He also discusses the resistance to considering risks and the focus on moving fast and making money in the tech industry. The conversation explores the importance of focusing on edge cases and designing for robust experiences. It emphasizes the need to prioritize risk mitigation and to handle situations when things go wrong. We discuss the significance of measuring success and understanding how well a design is working. We also share personal experiences and insights related to mental health and self-doubt. The conversation concludes with a discussion on pursuing alternative careers and the desire to let go of self-doubt in the future.