Awaiting Approval Awaiting Approval. Season 1, Episode 8 : Jane Cook
Jul 31, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Jane Cook, a seasoned Product Experience Design Leader with experience at Visa Europe and Hasbro, shares her creative journey from designing Barbie dolls to leading teams in diverse industries. She discusses the importance of mentorship over mere pixels, and how traditional practices like scribbling on walls fuel her creativity. The dialogue covers the evolution of design operations, the significance of inclusivity, and the pressures of leadership. Jane emphasizes a people-first approach and the need to nurture creativity within a demanding system.
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Barbie Dolls to Design Leader
- Jane's first job was designing Barbie dolls in Milan, which taught her brand and collaboration fundamentals.
- She transitioned from industrial design to digital product design, eventually leading teams up to 20+ members.
Keep Creativity and Write More
- Don't be afraid to write things down rather than keeping everything in your head.
- Always hold onto your creativity, even when facing business pressure to conform or template work.
Balancing Confidence and Feedback
- Creative work is deeply personal, and managing inner voices of doubt helps build confidence.
- Pride and openness to feedback form a balance key to collaborative success and leadership growth.