In this episode, we speak with Gordon Candelin, a design innovator, developer and partner at Artefex, about redefining what it means to be a designer in 2025. Gordon challenges designers to bridge the gap between front-end design and the technical systems that power digital experiences, expanding beyond aesthetics into systems thinking.

We explore:

🔧 Why designers must understand the technical foundations "under the hood" to remain relevant

🔄 Frame, Vibe, Validate loop: a practical process for rapid ideation and building with AI tools

🎨 How generative AI democratises design and makes product creation accessible to creative thinkers

🧠 Mental models as both enablers and blockers in design work

⚖️ The importance of ethical guardrails and stepping back to reflect on AI-generated solutions

This episode is about creative thinking as a true competitive advantage in the AI era. Gordon offers a vision where designers who embrace experimentation, continuous learning, and cross-disciplinary thinking will shape the future of digital products—not replace design, but elevate it.