In this episode of Design Shift, Justin Lokitz sits down with Chris Basey, founder and CEO of Comedia, a boutique design agency that’s quietly outpacing the Big Four. From building real products for Google, BMW, and Atlassian to using AI as a “force multiplier,” Chris shares how small design teams are scaling impact without scaling headcount.

They dive into:

• How boutique agencies win by making, not pitching

• Why design thinking needs a reset (but not a funeral)

• What AI can (and can’t) do for product designers

• How to avoid “vibe coding” and stay relevant in an AI-driven world

• The future of boutique consulting—and why the full-service agency model is dying

Whether you’re a design leader, founder, or creative strategist, this episode is packed with honest insights, hard-earned lessons, and practical advice to help you thrive in a shifting industry.

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