Beyond UX Design

Discover the important distinctions between being a solo designer and a founding designer as Taylor Palmer reveals the often-overlooked realities of establishing design leadership in early-stage companies.What’s the real difference between being a startup’s first designer and being a founding designer, and why does it matter?Taylor Palmer brings a wealth of experience as an early-stage product designer who has worked for startups from seed stage to unicorn status for the last decade. As the founder of UX Tools and someone who’s built multiple design practices from the ground up, Taylor offers unique insights into what it really means to be a founding designer.Our conversation explores the distinction between being a company’s first designer and a founding designer—a difference that goes far beyond a simple title. Taylor shares his journey through various startups, discussing how he’s built design practices from scratch and the importance of understanding when to transition from individual contributor to design leader.We dive deep into the skills, mindset, and experience needed to build a successful design practice from the ground up. Whether you’re considering a founding designer role or want to understand what it takes to build design leadership, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice. Listen in to learn about the realities of this critical role in startup environments.Topics:• 03:01 – Taylor’s Background and Experience• 05:03 – Challenges of Being a Founding Designer• 09:49 – Skill Sets for Founding Designers• 16:38 – Confidence and the Dunning-Kruger Effect• 19:40 – Building and Growing a Design Team• 22:28 – Transitioning to Leadership Roles• 27:09 – Emotional Intelligence in Leadership• 29:52 – The Peak of Importance• 30:13 – Realizing What Truly Matters• 31:50 – Shifting Gears: Design Evangelism• 32:45 – The Journey of Design Maturity• 34:27 – Gathering Experience and Wisdom• 38:30 – Traits of Successful Design Founders---Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show• Support the show on Patreon• Check out show transcripts• Check out our website• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts• Subscribe on Spotify• Subscribe on YouTube• Subscribe on Stitcher---Support our sponsors!Ok web designers. Let’s talk about the “c” word—creative burnout.You’re working on a site for a really big client, but between resourcing, feedback, tight budgets and even tighter deadlines—it doesn’t make the cut. Wix Studio helps close that gap, so you can deliver your vision with less friction. Built for agencies and enterprises, you get total creative control over every last pixel. With no-code animations, AI-powered tools, reusable design assets, advanced, intuitive layout tools and a Figma to Wix Studio integration, you can design the way you want to and deliver when you need to.And if you’re worried about the learning curve eating into time you don’t have—don’t be. Wix Studio is intuitive by design, so your entire team can hit the ground running.For your next project, check out ⁠wix.com/studio

How might stress from executive decisions and external pressures impact your software team's decision-making abilities?In this episode of the Cognition Catalog, we explore mood-congruent memory bias and its impact on software teams. We discover how stress from executive decisions and external pressures can hinder team dynamics and innovation. We also learn practical strategies for managing team mood, fostering empathy, and improving emotional intelligence to mitigate the effects of this cognitive bias.To explore more about the social comparison bias, don’t miss the full article on the Cognition Catalog!Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to know when new episodes drop!Join me every week for insights on a new cognitive bias!—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show• Support the show on Patreon• Check out show transcripts• Check out our website• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts• Subscribe on Spotify• Subscribe on YouTube• Subscribe on Stitcher

Eli Woolery is an accomplished author, speaker, and designer specializing in product, UI, and UX design, and he co-hosts the Design Better podcast while lecturing at Stanford. He shares how adopting an entrepreneurial mindset can dramatically reshape your career path, regardless of whether you plan to work for yourself or in a corporate setting. Eli emphasizes traits like scrappiness and curiosity, offers insights into navigating visibility challenges, and discusses the intersection of innovation and personal passions, enriching any UX professional's journey.

We tend to perceive patterns in random sequences of data or events, even when there’s no actual correlation or causal relationship present. This bias reflects our brain’s tendency to seek order in randomness.What’s the opportunity cost of seeing patterns in random data?Join us for this week's edition of the Cognition Catalog as we explore its impact on our subconscious decisions. Learn how these hidden biases affect team dynamics, workplace decisions, and daily interactions. Discover practical steps to identify and mitigate these biases to create a fair and cohesive work environment.To explore more about the social comparison bias, don’t miss the full article on the Cognition Catalog!Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to know when new episodes drop!—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear. Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show⁠ ⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠ ⁠Check out show transcripts⁠ ⁠Check out our website⁠ ⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Subscribe on Spotify ⁠Subscribe on YouTube ⁠⁠Subscribe on Stitcher

Jeff White, a UX designer and entrepreneur with two decades of experience, dives into the art of storytelling in design. He shares his 'lightbulb moment' that reshaped his approach and discusses common misconceptions surrounding storytelling. Jeff emphasizes the importance of crafting narratives that articulate the 'why' behind design choices, enhancing case studies, and tailoring stories to different audiences. He also addresses overcoming public speaking fears and maximizing tools like Notion for personal organization, all while infusing humor and relatable experiences.

We often make unconscious associations between different things. These automatic associations can shape our behaviors and decisions, even when we consciously believe we are acting fairly and impartially. This bias illustrates the powerful influence of our subconscious mind on our everyday interactions and judgments.Are you as unbiased as you think?Join us for this week's edition of the Cognition Catalog as we explore its impact on our subconscious decisions. Learn how these hidden biases affect team dynamics, workplace decisions, and daily interactions. Discover practical steps to identify and mitigate these biases to create a fair and cohesive work environment.To explore more about the social comparison bias, don’t miss the full article on the Cognition Catalog!Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to know when new episodes drop!—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear. Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show Support the show on Patreon Check out show transcripts Check out our website Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Stitcher

This week we chat with Tim Yeo, author of “The Quiet Achiever,” about the strengths of introverted leadership. Discover how introverts can excel without conforming to extrovert norms, and learn about Tim’s journey from a quiet designer to an influential leader.How can introverts truly thrive in leadership roles without compromising their authenticity?Tim Yeo, a veteran design leader, shares his unique perspective on how introverts can lead effectively without morphing into extroverts. Drawing on his experience as a Design Director at IBM and his role in fintech startups, Tim illustrates how introversion can be a powerful asset in the workplace.Tim discusses the pivotal moments in his career that led him to embrace his introverted nature, which ultimately fuelled his success. He shares valuable insights into overcoming the extrovert ideal prevalent in leadership roles and highlights the significance of authenticity in achieving professional success. His book, The Quiet Achiever, guides introverts to harness their strengths and confidently navigate the corporate landscape.Whether you’re an introvert seeking to enhance your leadership skills or an extrovert looking to support your quieter colleagues, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on professional growth.Tune in to hear Tim’s inspiring journey and learn how you can succeed on your terms.Helpful Links:• Connect with Tim on LinkedIn• The Quiet AchieverTopics:• 03:24 – Tim’s Career Journey• 05:34 – Challenges and Strategies for Introverts• 09:55 – The Quiet Achiever Book• 30:07 – Sensing and Responding in Conversations• 31:07 – Frameworks for Introverts and Extroverts• 32:52 – What can extraverts learn from Introverts• 33:54 – Working Better Together• 34:53 – Designing Team Dynamics• 37:36 – Tips for Extroverts and Ambiverts• 41:43 – Asynchronous Collaboration—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show• Support the show on Patreon• Check out show transcripts• Check out our website• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts• Subscribe on Spotify• Subscribe on YouTube• Subscribe on Stitcher

We tend to determine our own social and personal worth based on how we stack up against others. This bias shapes our self-perception and the perception of others. It can lead to feelings of false inadequacy or, the opposite, false superiority.How can you identify a mature designer?In this episode of Cognition Catalog, we explore how to identify a mature designer and dig into the social comparison bias that can affect team dynamics and individual performance. Learn about upward and downward comparisons, the impact of social media on self-perception, and strategies to foster a healthier work environment. Stay informed on cognitive biases by subscribing to our newsletter, and don't forget to check out beyonduxdesign.com for art prints and exclusive offers.To explore more about the social comparison bias, don’t miss the full article on the Cognition Catalog!Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to know when new episodes drop!---01:19 Early Career Challenges03:46 Understanding Social Comparison Bias05:06 Impact of Social Comparison Bias on Team Dynamics06:35 Navigating Social Media and Professional Networks07:58 Strategies to Overcome Social Comparison Bias---Join me every week for insights on a new cognitive bias!

How can UX designers make a meaningful impact in large enterprise orgs?I'm excited to chat with Stéfanie Walter, a UX researcher and strategist who has built an impressive career in enterprise software. With over 13 years of experience focusing on inclusive design and accessibility, Stef has established herself as an expert in enterprise UX. Her varied background spans industries from automotive to finance, giving her unique insights into the challenges of designing complex systems and processes.This conversation is essential for UX professionals working in, or considering transitioning to, enterprise teams. Stef's experiences and advice will inspire you to approach enterprise software with a fresh perspective and the confidence to drive meaningful change.Helpful Links:• Connect with Stֻéphanie on LinkedIn• stephaniewalter.designAbout StéphanieStephanie is a UX Researcher & Strategist based in Luxembourg. She has 13+ years of experience and specializes in enterprise UX, inclusive design, and accessibility. She teaches, speaks, and writes about design, UX research, accessibility, cognitive biases, and design-dev relationships, among many other things. She enjoys good tea, bike rides, and drawing illustrations. Her D&D (donjon and dragons) alignment is chaotic neutral, and she is better at keeping her teammates alive in video games than her plants. But she triesHave you been putting off building your portfolio?Wix Studio can help get you there faster!If you've been sitting on building your new website, Wix Studio can help get you there faster. Wix Studio is a powerful platform that lets you create and manage websites easily. With Wix Studio, you can quickly adapt designs for every device, reuse assets, my favorite, export from Figma and much more. Check out beyonduxdesign.com/wix to start creating today!—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today's episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today's episode, why don't you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven't already, sign up for our email list. We won't spam you. Pinky swear.• Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show• Support the show on Patreon• Check out show transcripts• Check out our website• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts• Subscribe on Spotify• Subscribe on YouTube• Subscribe on Stitcher

We tend to overestimate the importance or impact of information that readily comes to mind when making decisions. As a result, our choices and judgments may be skewed, and we may overlook other important factors.What happens when we misuse research data?The focusing effect can have major implications for our personal and professional lives. It can dramatically influence how we make decisions about our own lives, like career decisions, and it can also have a huge impact on how our teams make decisions.To explore more about the social comparison bias, don’t miss the full article on the Cognition Catalog!Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to know when new episodes drop!Join me every week for insights on a new cognitive bias!—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• ⁠Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show⁠• ⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠• ⁠Check out show transcripts⁠• ⁠Check out our website⁠• ⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠• ⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠• ⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠• ⁠Subscribe on Stitcher