UX Banter

In this episode, we are joined by Ranjithkumar Rajarethinam, Director of Design & Strategy at Esperia Studio. With over 20 years of experience, Ranjit has worked across industries from banking to manufacturing, blending empathy, process, and AI-driven tools to shape user experiences. He is also the founder of Learner at Large, a platform that mentors UX designers at every stage of their careers. Discussion Points ~ How did your design journey begin, and what were the turning points that shaped your career?  ~ How do you see AI impacting design careers today, especially for junior designers entering the field? ~ Rapid fire round  ~ Can you walk us through your stakeholder management framework and why stakeholder buy-in is critical in enterprise UX?  ~ How do you adapt your design approach across diverse industries like banking, manufacturing, and energy?  ~ What’s one key piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out?  Show Notes ~ Everything I learned so far has come full circle with AI—today I can scale my skills in ways I couldn’t before. ~ When you build a portfolio, make sure it carries your stamp—don’t try to be another designer in the market. ~ Resources are the same for juniors and seniors now; the difference lies in vision and the willingness to iterate. ~ In enterprise UX, you’re not just designing screens—you’re designing alliances. ~Time is money. To succeed, you must understand the customer’s business context, not just their users. ~ The three skills that will define careers in the next decade are creative problem-solving, analytical thinking, and lifelong learning. Ranjith’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/learneratlarge/ 

In this episode, we are joined by Aysha Samrin, UX Design Architect at McAfee. Aysha’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity and resilience. From illustrating children’s books and building brands to leading UX strategy in global tech, her path has been shaped by cultural influences spanning India, Abu Dhabi, the UK, and Canada. Alongside her industry roles, she also mentors the next generation of designers as a Senior UX Instructor at the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts. Discussion Points - ~ What was your journey like from illustration and branding to becoming a UX leader? 1:47 ~ What is PropTech? 12:58 ~ How have cultural influences from India, Abu Dhabi, the UK, and Canada shaped your design approach? 13:45 ~ Rapid Fire Round 20:48 ~ How are you experimenting with AI tools, and what opportunities or challenges do you see for designers? 26:54 ~ What has your experience been like teaching UX at VanArts and mentoring the next generation of designers? 29:57 ~ What advice do you have for young designers who are just beginning their careers in this field? 35:34 Show notes - ~ A lot of cultural influences show up in my design without me consciously putting them in—it’s what I’ve grown up with and observed. ~ Illustration taught me storytelling, and that skill has been invaluable in UX. ~  Understanding cultural context, like payment methods, colors, or patterns, can make or break a user experience. ~ Exploring AI tools has been eye-opening, not to replace designers, but to see how they can support creativity. ~ Teaching reminds me that design fundamentals never go out of style. ~ Formal design education matters; it gives you a foundation to build a long-term career instead of realizing too late that you’re in the wrong field. ~ Living and working across different countries taught me that even simple design choices, like colors or payment methods, carry deep cultural meaning. Aysha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aysha-samrin/   

In this episode, we are joined by Ryan Brink, Senior Product Designer at Michigan Software Labs. With a background that spans business, sports, and marketing, Ryan’s journey into UX is anything but traditional. His experience coaching soccer shaped his collaborative, people-first design mindset, while his early work in marketing and analytics honed his ability to combine creativity with data. Today, Ryan designs enterprise platforms, compliance tools, and AI-powered workflows—all with a focus on clarity, collaboration, and user-centered thinking. Discussion Points ~ How did your journey into UX design begin? 2:15  ~Since sports are data-heavy, do you see a connection between that and digital design dashboards? 6:36 ~ Do you think people from non-design backgrounds challenge or enrich your perspective in UX? 8:40 ~ Rapid Fire Round 10:16 ~ What unique challenges do you face when designing for enterprise software and compliance-heavy products? 15:25 ~ How are you leveraging AI in your design process, and what opportunities or risks does it bring? 20:31 ~ What inspired your book, Phony Confessions of a Designer, and how does humor play a role in your approach to design? 24:54 ~ What advice do you have for young designers starting their careers today? 26:57 Show notes  ~ UX is all about creating alignment; it’s not about who has the best idea, but about what’s best for the end user. ~ Coaching soccer taught me leadership and teamwork—skills I bring into every design project. ~ Metrics bridge the gap between creativity and strategy; they tell us what’s working and where we need to improve. ~ AI can’t replace the UX process. If you put in garbage, garbage will come out. ~ Creativity was the missing piece in my career. Once I found design, tinkering with problems stopped feeling like work. ~ Enterprise UX isn’t just about usability; it’s about navigating red tape, earning stakeholder buy-in, and still keeping the user at the center. ~ Humor helps us stay honest about our flaws as designers; sometimes laughing at our “confessions” makes us better at what we do. Ryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-brink/ Ryan’s Website: https://brinkryan.com/ 

In this episode, we are joined by Paige Maguire, Director of UX & Research at Fueled. With a background in philosophy and law, Paige’s journey into UX has been shaped by her deep curiosity about human behavior and communication. Over the years, she has blended strategic thinking with user empathy to design digital products that are both intuitive and impactful. Her leadership brings clarity to complexity, helping teams create smarter, human-centered solutions. Discussion Points ~ How did your journey evolve from studying philosophy and law to becoming a UX leader? 1:34 ~ How do you apply advocacy and negotiation skills from your legal background to UX practice? 3:19 ~ Rapid fire round 8:35 ~ How is your team navigating the rise of AI in tools and user experience design? 12:10 ~ How do you keep your team creatively inspired while experimenting with new tools and technologies? 19:50 ~ What advice do you have for young designers who are just beginning their careers in this field? 21:24 Show Notes ~ We do a little bit of advocacy every day, balancing technical feasibility, stakeholder needs, and usability while fighting for our users. ~ Data can tell us what happened in the past, but we must always leave space for the irrationality of human behavior. ~ Start slow, but start now. That’s our mantra at Fueled when integrating AI into design processes. ~ We put our foot down - at Fueled, we do not use synthetic users for research. Nothing replaces talking to real people. ~ Design is more than putting pixels together; it's about leaving space for the creative act, the magic that brings ideas to life. ~ Don’t be afraid of AI replacing you. Let it assist your creative act, not inhibit it. Paige’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigemaguire/

In this episode, we are joined by Cathy Davenport Lee, Principal Creative Director of Product Design & Marketing at Eluvio. With over 15 years of experience blending product design, brand storytelling, and emerging tech, Cathy has led award-winning projects across industries. Formerly VP of Interaction Design at HBO, she has shaped iconic campaigns for series such as Game of Thrones and Westworld, while continually pushing the boundaries of digital experiences. Discussion Points ~ Can you take us through your journey from studying digital design to leading creative roles at HBO and Eluvio, and what it was like working on household names like Game of Thrones and Westworld? 1:33 ~ Can you tell us about your current role at Eluvio and the direction you’re headed in your career? 12:00 ~ Rapid fire round 13:00 ~ How do you feel about the creative industry's emphasis on awards and recognition? 16:23 ~ How are you using AI in your day-to-day work right now? 35:09 ~ Can you tell us about your podcast? 35:44 ~ What advice would you give to aspiring designers who want to follow in your footsteps? 37:10 Show notes ~ Back then, nobody knew what a digital designer was. We were inventing the role while still trying to explain what the internet could even do. ~ I spent years dreaming of working at HBO. When the call finally came, it felt surreal, like a moment I had manifested years before. ~ Awards are great, but they depend a lot on access. If your company can't afford to submit, your work might never get seen. ~ AI isn’t just something happening to creatives. If we want to influence where it's going, we have to engage with it now, not later. ~ Tools and technologies are shifting so fast that by the time you plan a project, the platform you started with may already be outdated. ~ Sometimes the most powerful thing a creative can do is pause, to protect their imagination, recharge, and create from a place of clarity. Links: Cathy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathydavenportlee/ Cathy’s Podcast: https://podcast.thecreativeleadworkshop.com/ 

In this episode, we are joined by Hernan Ibanez, Head of Art at Ogilvy New York. With over two decades of experience in advertising and design, Hernan has led creative work for prominent brands such as PlayStation, Oreo, and Toyota. His global journey and passion for storytelling continue to shape impactful campaigns and inspire creative teams worldwide. Discussion Points - ~ Tell us about your journey — how did you go from Rosario, Argentina, to leading creative work in New York? 1:32 ~ How did moving across cultures and cities from Argentina to LA, Miami, and then New York shape you professionally? 3:24 ~ Rapid fire round 12:45 ~ With AI-generated artwork becoming part of creative workflows, how do you see it reshaping the design process? 14:55 ~ In the age of AI and evolving creative workflows, how do you see the role of design leadership adapting? 20:34 ~ At Ogilvy, what key qualities are prioritized when bringing new talent on board? 23:27 Show notes - ~ You’re the only person that needs to coexist with yourself for your entire life, so don’t try to become someone else. ~ I can help people grow, but I can’t teach them passion. That has to come from within. ~ New York allows you to be part of different cultures while still being yourself—that’s what I love about it. ~ We’re still trying to insert AI into our old workflow, but the real shift will come when AI helps shape the workflow itself. ~ The most important part of creative leadership is making sure everyone feels like they own the work—it’s everybody’s puppy. ~ Some of the most rewarding moments aren’t about awards, they’re about seeing your work in the places that once inspired you.   Hernan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hernanibanez/  

In this episode, we are joined by Larry Marine, a pioneer in UX research with over three decades of experience and more than 250 successful projects. He's elevated product leadership for companies like ProFlowers and FedEx Print Services and is the author of Disruptive Research. He currently serves as the Director of Research and Design at LSA Digital. Discussion Points: ~ How was the journey for you, starting back in the 90s—how do you see the changes in UX from then to now? 1:57 ~ How different is the workload you're managing now, and what are the key differences compared to the early years of UX? 4:44 ~ Does your life experience—military discipline, moving across the country—reflect in the way you approach design? 8:00   ~ How can applying AI to large-scale research repositories help identify and bridge user knowledge gaps more effectively than traditional personas? 13:57 ~ What is advanced UX, and how does it differ from traditional UX methods? 16:39 ~ What advice do you have for senior UX professionals who are at a crossroads—either learning AI or moving into management? 26:38 Show notes:  ~ Excellent design tries to address that knowledge gap by embedding what you know about the product into the design. ~ Personas are far too vague. They don't describe anything that will affect your design. ~ I didn’t like the whole management track. I’m an individual contributor, and I do hands-on work because that’s where I add the most value. ~ Observations are far better than interviews. People often say one thing and do another. ~ If 100 people are doing the same thing 100 different ways, it means nobody knows how to do it right. Let’s design to guide them to the best practice. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrymarine/ https://lsadigital.com  

In this episode, we are joined by Derek Boman, Director of Product Design, Liminal. With a strong background in brand design, digital experiences, and UX leadership, Derek is building transformative tools at the intersection of AI, design, and finance. He’s passionate about mentoring future designers and solving complex problems through creativity and empathy. Discussion Points ~ Can you tell us about your career journey—from growing up in a tech-savvy environment to leading at Socrates AI? 1:28 ~ What is your leadership style and how do you empower your teams in today’s fast-evolving tech space? 3:50 ~ Are you navigating the rapid changes in AI technology, and how often do you need to adapt your tools? 7:30 ~ What inspired the creation of Socrates AI, especially coming from a UX background into FinTech? 9:25 ~ Rapid Fire 15:02 ~ How do you ensure the use of AI in your product is meaningful and not just trendy? 17:52 ~ As a mentor and educator, what advice do you give to young designers and job seekers in tech? 24:24 Show notes  ~ Good leadership means removing roadblocks, not controlling outcomes. Give your team space, context, and trust—then get out of their way. ~ AI should solve real user pain, not just be sprinkled in for novelty. Ask: What becomes possible now that wasn’t before? ~ Design can drive adoption and understanding in even the driest industries—finance included. That’s where real impact lives. ~ If you're a junior designer, this is your moment. Learn AI now—because everyone is learning it together, and you can lead the charge. ~ Don’t aim to replace humans with AI. Use it to free them from the grind so they can focus on strategic, high-value work. ~ Hiring isn’t about who’s perfect today—it’s about who’s growing fastest. Coachability and curiosity beat static skills every time. Derek's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bomanderek/

In this episode, we are joined by Ruwan Fernando, a seasoned UX leader with expertise in AAA games, SaaS, and gamification. With experience across five countries, he brings a unique perspective on design, storytelling, and user engagement. Tune in as we explore his journey, industry insights, and the evolving role of UX in gaming. Discussion points: ~ How did your journey into UX and game design begin? 1:45 ~ How did your expectations of the gaming industry change over time? 7:20 ~ Do you need to be a gamer to succeed in the industry? 12:50 ~ Rapid fire round 17:55 ~ What are you looking forward to at GDC, and how can people connect with you? 22:59 ~ Which of your work/accomplishments are you most proud of? 23:23 ~ What’s your top advice for aspiring game designers and UX professionals? 29:33 Show notes: ~ UX is a job of communication. Design just happens along the way. UX is all about communicating your vision as someone making a product to the expectations of a user who's expecting to use it. It's shortening the distance between the two. ~ Technology is experienced through the interface. If you don't build the interface, then you've built a technology that will never be experienced. ~ The longer we leave people out of the discussion, the more the product itself fails to connect with its audience. ~ We use things like pressure, time, scarcity, and tension to ramp up or down the emotional connection to a story. If a game isn’t emotionally engaging, it’s not an engaging story. ~ If you only ever observe other people's solutions, what you're observing is a list of compromises that you have never seen. So you take that solution and all the compromises with it without understanding what they were. Then you build something based on compromises on which you further compromise. ~ The minute you say ‘I prefer it this way,’ you take what is a wide-angle perspective and narrow it to one. But we need to appeal to millions of people, not just ourselves. ~ Instead of going wide, I recommend you narrow focus, become incredible at it, and then graduate to the next. Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruwan-f/  https://adplist.org/mentors/ruwan-fernando

In this episode, we are joined by Kim Feenstra Kuiper, a senior UX researcher at King. With a background in AI and human-computer interaction, she has led impactful research at companies like Spotify and GoodNotes. Passionate about storytelling and mentorship, she empowers teams to create user-centered, meaningful designs. Discussion points - ~ Tell us about your journey into UX research. 1:51 ~ Do you think the key difference between these worlds is the focus on logic versus human impact? 6:22 ~ How did you land roles at major companies like Spotify, King, and GoodNotes? 8:13 ~Do you think a strong portfolio matters more, or is it all about how you handle the interview? 10:53 ~ Rapid fire round 15:51 ~ How does working on widely used products, like Candy Crush or Spotify, impact the research process? 26:48 Show notes - ~ I never had a big goal of working at a major company. I just kept building my skills, taking opportunities as they came, and growing my network. ~ Foundational research helps teams shape new products, validate ideas, and inspire innovation—it's about asking 'why' before jumping to 'what' and 'how'. ~ A good UX research portfolio isn’t just about showcasing work; it’s about communicating impact in a way that both recruiters and hiring managers understand. ~ Working on a widely used product means every research decision carries weight—you're not just solving for one group, but for millions of diverse users. ~ The hardest part about breaking into UX research isn’t just skill—it’s networking, being in the right place, and finding people who can open doors for you. ~ I love seeing messy sketches and raw research notes in portfolios—real work isn’t polished, and that’s what makes it authentic and valuable. Links - www.linkedin.com/in/kimfeenstrakuiper www.careers.king.com

In this episode, we are joined by Wayne Pelletier, Founder and CEO of Resonant Pixel Company. With extensive experience in web design and digital strategy, Wayne is transforming the industry with a subscription-based model that simplifies website management for businesses. A Squarespace expert, he’s passionate about delivering scalable, high-value web solutions that empower brands to grow effortlessly. Discussion points - ~ How did you start your career? 1:17 ~ What differentiates low-code and no-code platforms from traditional coding, and how has your experience in web development shaped your perspective on them?  4:16 ~Every business is essentially in the business of content creation. Can you elaborate on that concept and its importance for website success? 6:23 ~Do you think we are moving toward a 'post-website world,' and what role do social media and AI-driven feeds play in this shift? 8:21 ~ Rapid fire round 17:23 ~Your business operates on a subscription-based web design model. What makes this approach successful, and how does it benefit small businesses? 20:01 ~ How do you ensure a strong user experience for websites focused solely on information rather than business outcomes? 24:00 ~What advice would you give to young professionals or designers looking to build a long-term career in web design and digital strategy? 27:55 Show notes - ~ Understanding how things are built goes a long way to building better things, no matter your platform. ~ When you have a website, you have a shack in the woods—without content and marketing, there's no traffic and no one around. ~ The idea behind productizing services is to level out revenue so that it's mostly only ever-growing instead of dealing with the feast-or-famine cycle. ~ Hiring you is a ton of work, and hiring someone else is also a ton of work—so clients don’t just leave as easily as people fear. ~ From a UX standpoint, I’ve made hundreds of websites over the years, and I have a deep understanding of how user behavior differs across industries. ~ Going to lunch and getting to know the people you work with now pays dividends—because one day, they’ll be decision-makers who need what you do. ~ Social platforms sell fast, but the problem is when you make sales on another platform, those customers are not yours—you can’t contact them, and u don’t own that relationship. Links - www.linkedin.com/in/waynepelletier/ www.resonantpixel.co  

In this episode, we are joined by Santhosh Ragalpavi Balasubramaniam, a seasoned UX leader, design thinking facilitator, and founder of UX Ahead. With experience leading digital transformations for global brands like BP, HSBC, and SAP, he shares insights on inclusive design, UX leadership, and the evolving role of individual contributors in enterprise environments. Discussion points: ~ What was your journey like when you decided to become a designer? Who inspired you, and how did you get here? 3:51 ~ Is a formal degree essential for a UX career, especially in regions like India, where company policies may require it? 18:33 ~ Rapid fire round 24:44 ~ Whenever the discussion arises about being an in-house designer versus an agency designer, it often gets framed as working at a startup or freelancing—how do you see this distinction, and do you think it's that simple? 31:01 ~ Being on the strategy side, are you ever tempted to pursue a role like Director of UX, Chief Design Officer, or Design Principal?40:10 ~ What advice would you give to aspiring UX professionals on choosing the right career path? 42:16 Show notes: ~ As an individual contributor, you may not have decision-making authority, but you still need to influence decisions and drive collaboration across teams. ~ Design is not just about making things look good; it’s about solving real problems for users and businesses alike. ~ Early on, businesses didn’t understand why they needed UX. They just wanted a website or a brochure without considering the actual user needs. ~ A designer’s job isn’t just to take requirements and create something in isolation—it’s about understanding the business, the users, and bridging that gap. ~ The biggest challenge for UX professionals is not just mastering tools, but developing the ability to collaborate, influence, and educate stakeholders. ~ Chasing job titles won’t make you a better designer. Focus on what you can learn and how you can apply your skills in real-world scenarios.  ~ Mindset is key in design. You have to detach from your work, accept feedback, and always remember that design is about the user, not the designer. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santhoshrb/ www.uxahead.com/  

In this episode, we are joined by Jonas Bröms, a globally recognized senior product designer and mentor with years of expertise in UX and user-centered design. Named among the top product designers worldwide, Jonas combines creative brilliance with technical acumen to craft impactful digital solutions for innovative startups. From overcoming personal and professional challenges to shaping the future of UX through mentorship, Jonas shares valuable insights that inspire and empower the next generation of designers. Discussion Points: ~ How does it feel to be recognized as the top authority in your field and at the top of your game? 1:30 ~ You’ve been deeply involved in mentorship; what inspired you to start mentoring, and how has it impacted your own growth? 8:28 ~ How has traveling and working across Sweden, UAE, Cyprus, and other places shaped you as an individual and professional? 12:16 ~ What advice would you give to your younger self or to those who want to follow in your footsteps? 26:38 ~ As technology evolves, what are your thoughts on the future of UX design, especially with AI and voice interfaces changing user interactions? 30:50 Show notes: ~ I haven’t sunk it in yet, but I try not to feed my impostor syndrome. Instead, I focus on being proud of what I’ve achieved and the people I’ve helped along the way. ~ Mentorship has been a journey where I not only help others but also gain perspective on myself and my work. It’s a transfer of knowledge and experiences that challenges and inspires me. ~ When everything fell apart last year, I remembered a friend's advice: 'Do something for somebody else.' It changed my perspective and gave me purpose during difficult times. ~ The way we interact with technology is going to change drastically. It’s no longer just about screens; it’s about creating experiences through voice, augmented reality, and more natural interactions. ~ Be inspired by what others create instead of feeling afraid or envious of it. Use it to fuel your own journey and creativity. ~ The accumulation of small, meaningful questions over time leads to deeper understanding and better collaboration. Links: www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-broms/ www.odduse.com

In this episode, we are joined by Olivier Cottin, an experienced product design leader with 18 years in venture building and human-centered design. Olivier has worked with top companies like Careem, Uber, and Shell, helping startups achieve product-market fit through innovative design strategies. Currently an advisor and product design leader at Nyla Bank, he brings invaluable insights into transforming customer needs into successful digital products. Discussion points - ~ Can you share your journey with us and what it has been like so far? 1:46 ~ How has your multicultural and diverse background influenced your approach to work? 7:28 ~ Rapid fire round 10:45 ~ How has your background in human-computer interaction shaped your approach to fintech design and understanding user psychology? 16:54 ~ How does designing for Middle Eastern and Asian markets differ from working in Europe or the West? 20:28 ~ Now that you’re on the other side as a venture capitalist, how has that perspective shifted your approach to design and innovation? 28:59 ~ What common mistakes do you see in startup pitches, and what advice would you offer to entrepreneurs to stand out. 30:16 Show notes - ~ I’ve realized there’s a whole part of the world that does things differently. It’s not that it’s the wrong way; it’s just different, and it takes time to adapt and relearn. ~ In emerging markets, it’s not always about the quality of execution; it’s about being first to market, locking in your distribution, and eliminating competition early. ~ Founders often get so obsessed with their product that they skip validation, pouring time and money into something without knowing who will buy it or how to distribute it. ~ Having a mixed heritage and career across different regions has taught me to approach problems with multiple perspectives and adapt to unique ways of doing things. ~ Accounting taught me the value of structure, but I also realized that creativity within such rigid frameworks often leads to undesirable consequences. ~ Business is all about people. To create value, you need to deeply understand your customers—their behaviors, demographics, and what problems you’re solving for them. Links - www.linkedin.com/in/oliviercottin www.nylabank.com   

In this episode, we’re joined by Tyler King, Senior UX Researcher at SAP, with over 10 years of expertise in human-centered design, product strategy, and driving UX maturity in enterprises. Tyler discusses her journey of transforming customer insights into successful digital products, the complexities of designing for large-scale systems, and why storytelling is a vital skill for UX professionals. Discussion Points - ~ How does it feel to be a design leader, and what has your journey been like in spreading ideas at the enterprise level, especially in complex industries? 1:47 ~ When you're dealing with a large product-based company with multiple product managers and owners, how do you prioritize tasks?  8:06 ~ How do you quantify data from diverse users, especially when they aren't software professionals? 10:31 ~ Rapid fire round 12:31 ~ Do you miss working in the B2C market? 16:50 ~ Is there any technology that you are really excited about, specifically regarding AI or quantum computing? 21:25 ~ Do you have any upcoming conferences you're attending? 22:57 ~ What advice do you have for people who want to follow your footsteps in UX, especially for junior UX professionals? 24:02 Show notes - ~B2B has really, really complex systems. And it's a really interesting space if you're into problem-solving. ~ Enterprise UX is often the most neglected side of design because people think that users are getting paid to use the software, so functionality takes priority over experience. ~ Being in the enterprise space, it's less obvious, but the challenges are always complex, and solving them is immensely rewarding. ~ I think the most important skill for junior UX designers is storytelling. It's what gets your stakeholders on board and helps them understand your work. ~ In enterprise, the interfaces may not be as sexy as Netflix, but if you're excited by solving complex problems, you'll never be bored. ~ When you're working on mission-critical applications, the impact is significant—it's not just about making something look good; it’s about making sure it works for the people who rely on it. Links:  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-nicole-king/ Website: www.sap.com   

In this episode, we’re joined by Begga Hauksdottir, User Experience Director at TrusTrace, with over 12 years of expertise in product design, digital innovation, and user experience. Begga discusses her passion for creating impactful solutions, guiding teams through user-centric methodologies like design thinking, and driving meaningful change through design. Discussion Point: What was your professional journey like and what shaped you as a design professional? 2:56 Did you notice any cultural shifts when the smaller design studio you worked at was acquired by the larger organization? 5:57 How do you think the cultural experiences from living in Iceland, Italy, and Sweden have influenced your approach to design and the work you do now?  8:57 Rapid fire round 15:15 What are the key challenges you face in managing your remote team in India while working in a B2B structure, and how do you address those challenges? 20:17 As a design leader, what key qualities do you want your team to develop, and what measures are you taking to foster those qualities within your team? 26:03 What advice would you give to young designers aspiring to follow in your footsteps? 27:13 Show notes: As creative professionals, it becomes our responsibility to stay foolish, stay curious, keep discovering things, and keep knowing what is new to come. Even though we have the repository, we always want to recheck the data with a smaller sample to validate what information we already have, because every year or so, a new product comes into the market, and people's perceptions might change. We have to design very quickly, working with certain knowledge and biases, but it’s crucial to constantly check: Am I still on the right track? Are there knowledge gaps that have come up? Expose yourself to a lot of things early on. Don’t just go for the first comfortable position. Test out what resonates with you, because being unhappy at work for 40 years won’t make good products—or you—happy. It’s not about having a sleek, beautiful portfolio for me—it’s about solving meaningful problems. Find what resonates with you, not what looks good on paper. Keep networking, engaging, listening to podcasts, and reading books. That’s the journey for any career, but especially for a designer. Links - Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/berglindhauksdottir/ Company’s Website - http://www.trustrace.com

In this episode, we are joined by Mario Van der Meulen, the founder of MVDM Designs. Mario is a human-focused, insights-driven experience design leader and innovation strategist, with nearly 30 years of experience in the design industry. He has been instrumental in helping organizations around the world and serves as a mentor at ADP List. Discussion points: ~ Can you briefly share your journey from starting in Europe to ending up in Singapore over the past 30 years? 1:53 ~ Many designers face challenges when entering the market, especially when it comes to language barriers. What advice do you have for navigating these situations? 7:48 ~ Do research methods or insights change when moving between different countries or regions? 9:31 ~ Rapid fire round 11:21 ~ How do you handle vague, non-actionable feedback based on gut feelings, especially when there are no clear, constructive points to work with? 18:47 ~ Do you see a significant visual difference in web design between content-heavy styles in some countries and the minimalistic approaches in others? How do these contrasting styles affect global designers in choosing a direction? 26:22 ~ Where will you be speaking at conferences in the coming days, and how can people meet you in person to learn more? 35:40 Show notes: ~ The primary goal of design should always be to serve the user. Understanding their needs and behaviors is essential for creating impactful experiences. ~ Criticism should be seen as an opportunity, not a setback. It brings diverse perspectives that can elevate our work. ~ Design does not exist in a vacuum; it's influenced by cultural contexts. What resonates in one culture might not in another. ~ While designs should look good, they must also be practical and intuitive. The balance between beauty and function is key. ~ Decisions in design should be backed by data and user research. Validating our choices ensures they truly meet user needs. ~ Clear communication about design decisions builds trust with stakeholders and ensures alignment with business goals. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariovdm/ Website: https://www.mvdm.me  

In this episode, we are joined by Stacey Seronick, the Senior Design Program Manager at IBM. With a wealth of experience in developing educational programs for designers and researchers, Stacey is passionate about service design, employee experience, and generative research. Join us as we explore her journey in the design industry, the importance of ethical design, and her insights on mentorship and collaboration in building impactful user experiences. Discussion point: Can you share your journey and how you got to where you are today? 1:39 When did you move to California? 16:10 Do you feel that your overall experiences have contributed significantly to your journey? 22:13 Rapid fire questions 24:17 At IBM, you've mentioned working with IBM India and traveling frequently. What are the main focuses of your initiatives there? 31:20 Show notes: The path to a better place was not to come barreling in and say, ‘I have all the answers'. I needed to work with women to empower them to realize they can and need to be the future they want to be a part of. It’s so unhealthy and cruel to think that because you had a bad experience, everyone else should go through it too. True innovation happens when you stop trying to control every aspect and embrace the unknown. The most impactful designs come from listening deeply and creating with empathy at the core. Leadership is about making space for others to shine, not just being the brightest in the room. The future of design is in diversity—not just of gender or background, but diversity of thought and experience. Links: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-seronick/ Company website: www.ibm.com

In this episode, we are joined by Amina ElShazly, CTO and Co-founder of UXIT, an accomplished user experience leader with over 11 years of expertise spanning UX strategy, user research, and front-end development. Amina has been instrumental in shaping successful projects across diverse industries while mentoring aspiring designers on ADPList. Discussion points: ~ Can you share how your journey as a design professional began? 1:43 ~ Was your switch from front-end development to UX a conscious decision, or was it something you were pushed into? 5:58 ~ What differences have you noticed between working as an individual and now as a design leader since becoming an entrepreneur? 7:54 ~ Rapid fire round 9:57 ~ As a design leader, do you miss the hands-on practices from earlier in your career, and have you encountered new challenges that surprise you now in a leadership role? 12:53 ~ How do you integrate new technologies, like AI and blockchain, into your practices and what approach do you take when adopting these changes? 16:19 ~ What are some common discussion points you address with young women design leads from the Middle East in your mentorship? 17:40 ~ What advice would you give to your younger self as you were starting your career? 19:36 Show notes: ~ We thought of creating this company because of our love for UX and to do what we want to do in the best shape. ~ When I opened my company, I started to teach other people about what I love, and I focused more on the strategy and the user experience. ~ As an individual, there are a lot of rules and regulations... but in our company, we make it in the best shape because everyone has their role in the team. ~ Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek mentorship. Learning from others can accelerate your growth. ~ I was just a graduate, and I was interested in the new challenges. So I accepted the offer in user-centered design. ~ The more you practice, the more you learn. And learning never stops, so try to learn every day. ~ Build a strong network of professionals in your field. Collaboration can lead to incredible opportunities and insights Links: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amina-elshazly86/  Company website: https://ux-it.com/

In this episode, we are joined by Aadit Patel and Macarena Zañartu, from NotCo. Aadit is a leader in Applied Machine Learning with over 13 years of experience, while Macarena is an exceptional designer who translates complex solutions for everyday users. Aadit has developed autonomous systems in aerospace, online advertising, FinTech, and biotechnology. Together, they are creating sustainable plant-based foods using advanced AI. Discussion Points:  Can you share your individual journeys that led you to where you are today? 1:56 What restrictions exist for AI in the EU and other regions, and do legal processes make it harder to implement? 8:36 What are the biggest challenges you face when dealing with people who are hesitant to embrace technology? 13:12 How similar was the experience of designing this application to your work on other applications, like banking? What similarities can you point out? 30:11 Rapid Fire Round 35:22 How do you think scientists can currently leverage AI tools and techniques in their research, and what potential do you see for the future? 45:39 What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs looking to follow a similar model of creating innovative solutions with technology, and what challenges should they be aware of? 53:05 Show notes: From a core technology perspective, we figured out how to efficiently solve a common problem. Any formula, whether it’s toothpaste or a burger, is a combination of ingredients that undergo a process. - Aadit Patel The A I can do the hard stuff, you know, it can do the hard stuff like the constraints and thinking, and like all these high dimensions, it can be a great assistant for creativity. - Aadit Patel The way that we work together collaboratively with the machine learning engineers, there’s this whole validation process we do when we’re in that stage that first of all, are we actually solving a relevant problem that is important with that? - Macarena Zañartu Making people trust that way of working. It's like adapting. The way that they are interacting with this new interface is also a thing about processes, users are going to have to build things that they probably think are not going to work to let the system know what a better recommendation will be. - Macarena Zañartu The future of food needs to be not just nutritious but it needs to have some functionality that is, is helpful and backed up by potential claims. - Aadit Patel Don't fall in love with the thing that you're designing, like put it out there, test it iterate on it, and accept feedback, and don't wait until something is done in front of your eyes. - Macarena Zañartu Links - Aadit Patel’s LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaditpatel/ Macarena Zañartu's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macazeta/ Company website: https://www.notco.com/