Ep145: How to Boost Your Creative Confidence, Taste & Close the Creativity Gap Using AI w/ Ben Rennie, Co-Founder of Reny

Human-centered design, for all its merits, sometimes fails to consider what comes after the launch, after the product leaves our hands. We need a systemic approach: design that asks not only what people need now, but what the world will require in five, ten, or fifty years.

It is a question of stewardship. As we rush to integrate AI and other technologies, are we thinking beyond the next quarter, the next release cycle? Are we willing to accept responsibility for the unintended consequences?

AI, for its part, is neither savior nor villain. Ben Rennie sees it as an amplifier—a tool that accelerates the work but does not replace the worker.

For example, he used AI to help finish his book, but the ideas and the voice are his own. The lesson is clear: technology can be a partner, but it cannot do the hard work of thinking, of feeling, of connecting the dots that only a person can see. When I write, using AI as an editorial partner, primarily for packaging ideas rather than generating them, has been a game-changer in helping me express myself. To the world better.

So I'm happy to present Ben and his interview on the podcast, where we dive deep into where creative work is going in the age of generative AI.

-Caden

“80% of the world’s climate challenges today stem from the design phase of a product or service. We’re building things without recognizing the impact. Human-centered design means designing for people, but we often ignore the systems in which humans exist.”- Ben Rennie

Listen now on Apple and Spotify.

In this episode, I speak with Ben Rennie, co-founder of Reny®, about his career as a designer and entrepreneur spanning more than a decade. Ben shares how he started his consultancy in 2009, explains its evolution, and discusses challenges he has faced and lessons he has learned along the way.

The conversation explores systemic design and why understanding the broader impacts of human-centered design matters. Rennie introduces his book, Lessons in Creativity, in which he examines the creativity gap and explains how fear can stifle creative confidence as people grow older.

We also discuss the relationship between creativity and artificial intelligence, challenges in sustainable design systems, and stories from Rennie’s experience that highlight the importance of perseverance and bravery in creative work.

The episode offers practical insights for anyone interested in creativity, technology, and human-centered design from a veteran in the creative industry.

If you want to learn more about Ben Rennie, his work, or his thinking on creativity and design, check out the following:

* Ben Rennie on LinkedIn — Connect with Ben and follow his latest updates.

* Lessons in Creativity on Amazon — Explore Ben’s book for stories and strategies to cultivate your creative confidence.

* Reny® (Ben’s agency) — Discover the consultancy Ben founded and see their latest projects.

Timeline

00:12 Starting the Business Journey

00:28 Personal Reflections and Challenges

01:01 The Importance of Systems and Design

01:25 Balancing Personal Life and Work

02:45 Discussing the New Book

03:03 Exploring the Creativity Gap

07:07 Systemic Design and Environmental Impact

17:31 The Role of AI in Creativity and Work

27:04 Exploring Human-Centered Design

27:37 AI Tools for Enhanced Productivity

31:25 Transition Design and Future Innovations

34:33 Creative Confidence and Overcoming Fear

35:46 Personal Stories of Creativity and Bravery

46:07 The Importance of Meaningful Work

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