Dive Club 🤿

Geoffrey Litt, a design engineer at Notion and former researcher at MIT, shares insights on malleable software and AI's role in design. He discusses effective system design and the importance of version control for building user-centric tools. Geoffrey highlights his work on 'Embark,' a document-centric travel planner, and contrasts malleable software with disposable options. He advocates for teaching users to create tailored dashboards and emphasizes the need for intuitive design that promotes mastery without complexity. A fascinating glimpse into the future of user-driven technology!

Ryan Scott, a designer and product strategist with experience at Airbnb and DoorDash, shares invaluable insights on career advancement for designers. He stresses the importance of showing business impact over mere craft to captivate hiring leaders. Ryan discusses how to effectively pitch ideas, utilize data, and tell compelling portfolio stories that reflect business value. He also explores strategic opportunities and how designers can adapt to the evolving job market, particularly with AI's rise and changing team dynamics.

Kevin Twohy, a seasoned product designer and creative director, shares insights into his groundbreaking work on Board, the first-ever tabletop game console. He discusses the intricacies of hardware prototyping and OS design, revealing how early wireframes shaped the user experience. Kevin emphasizes the importance of making delightful interactions that can't be replicated on touchscreens, and explains how he leverages AI tools to enhance creativity. He reflects on the emotional impact of playtesting, showcasing the joy of bringing people together through innovative gaming.

In this discussion, Henry Modisette, VP of Design at Perplexity, shares insights on integrating design and code, highlighting how AI can streamline workflows. Pranati Perry, a product designer at V0, showcases dynamic prototyping tools that bridge the gap between designers and developers. Nick Pattison, a graphic designer, talks about creating scalable brand tools using AI. They all agree that AI is not just aiding design, but reshaping priorities and deliverables, urging designers to innovate and adapt to the evolving landscape.

Drew Wilson, a seasoned design-engineer and founder of Opacity, envisions a future where designers effortlessly transition to coding without handoffs. He discusses the evolution of design teams, emphasizing the need for a single source of truth that connects designs directly to code. Drew introduces Loop, an innovative IDE for AI-assisted development, and explains how AI is reshaping the roles of designers and engineers. He also offers insights on future skill sets, the importance of design systems, and strategic hiring in a tech-driven landscape.

Dive into the innovative design journey of Supercut's founders, David and Neil. Discover their obsession with detail and simplicity as they balance speed and excellence in product design. Explore how they integrate AI to enhance user experience and streamline workflows. Learn about their iterative, code-first approach that fosters collaboration between designers and engineers. Plus, hear their strategies for avoiding UI clutter while keeping the interface engaging. This is a masterclass in achieving design excellence!

Rooz Mahdavian, a design engineer at Neuralink and former Apple Watch Faces team member, dives into the world of frontier interfaces. He discusses the fascinating transition from designing the Siri watch face to brain-computer interfaces. Rooz explores how to empathize with users lacking motor skills and the challenges of innovating a neural cursor. He dreams of a future where visual imagery transfer may become reality, enabling 'daydreaming with computers.' Tune in for insights on creating intuitive designs that redefine user interaction in tech!

Escha Vera, a talented product designer who previously worked at Descript, dives into her creative journey at Perplexity, where she designed the innovative Comet browser. She reveals her process of creating a Figma-based design system from scratch after discovering the original lived in code. Escha discusses using AI tools to enhance her workflows, generating unique invite cards, and integrating music into the experience. She emphasizes approaching AI as an artistic medium, urging designers to remix outputs to elevate their work creatively.

Carl Rivera, Chief Design Officer at Shopify, leads the charge in redefining e-commerce design for the AI era. He discusses the implications of AI enabling more designers, how to create authentic AI experiences, and the importance of every designer being production-ready. Rivera also shares insights on why design teams often miss the mark and discusses Shopify's acquisition of Molly Studio to enhance talent density. With a focus on craft and strategic curiosity, he showcases a vision that places design at the heart of innovation.

Catt Small, a staff designer with a rich background at Asana, Etsy, and SoundCloud, shares her insights on building influence as an individual contributor. She discusses the importance of storytelling and communication in conveying ideas effectively. Listeners will discover strategies to foster strong relationships and engage stakeholders early in the design process. Catt highlights how to create impactful product visions and navigate the complexities of design momentum, making her insights invaluable for aspiring designers.