#8: Andy Budd on Transitioning to VC and Coaching, Designers As Founders, and Being Bad At Something

In this episode of UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Andy Budd – design leader, coach, investor, and long-time advocate for the design community. When we last spoke in 2021, Andy had just stepped away from Clearleft, the agency he co-founded, and was embracing a new chapter. Four years on, we catch up on what’s happened since.

We talk about his transition from agency founder to solo coach and advisor, how a “serendipity break” turned into new opportunities, and the accidental path that led him to write his new book, The Growth Equation. Andy shares why he believes design is at a turning point, why AI tools are accelerating the commoditisation of design, what he’s seeing inside the startup ecosystem, and the ways design leaders can better communicate their value in increasingly complex organisations.

It’s a conversation about reinvention, relevance, and what he’s learning from being bad at something again – whether that’s flying planes, or playing the drums.

Plus:

☕️ Why the coffee shop the Onion in Seoul in South Korea is his favourite

🌟 Why not to ask a coach for life advice

What we cover:

01:37 The Journey of ClearLeft and Employee Ownership

03:34 Navigating a Serendipity Break

07:28 Rediscovering Passions: Flying and Drumming

10:33 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Coaching

14:23 The Birth of a Book: Insights and Lessons

22:29 The Power of Writing in Design and Leadership

25:59 Gathering Around Design Tools

31:34 The Future of Design Profession in The Time of AI

48:13 Investing in Designer Skills

53:08 Experiencing Failure and Culture Change

54:44 The Future of Entrepreneurship and Design

57:32 Challenges for Designers as Founders

01:02:45 Communication and Influence in Design

01:09:25 Reflections on Life and Advice

Where to find Andy: