Dive Club 🤿

Jack Brody, former Head of Product at Snapchat and now Chief Product Officer at Suno, shares insights from his decade at Snap, including the importance of user-focused design and a strong team culture. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing music creation, empowering users to innovate regardless of expertise. Jack reflects on a memorable moment with Kim Kardashian that shaped his approach to execution. The conversation also touches on building a dynamic design team and the unpredictable evolution of AI in the creative landscape.

Discover six essential tips for designers to elevate their portfolios in a competitive market. Learn how to build a strong personal brand and move beyond traditional formats. Explore innovative presentation strategies that integrate video and real-life examples. Uncover the power of craftsmanship in your work, and understand how effective hiring practices can focus on your unique skill set. Tips to captivate and engage potential employers abound!

Nad Chishtie, the founding designer at Lovable, shares his journey in navigating AI's impact on design within the fast-growing startup landscape. He reveals his top tips for creatively collaborating with AI tools, emphasizing how designers can become facilitators rather than obstacles. Nad discusses balancing traditional design platforms like Figma with innovative AI solutions, and the evolution of design roles in tech. He highlights the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking, while encouraging a mindset of experimentation in today's design environment.

Explore the world of interaction design and the struggle against imposter syndrome faced by many designers. Discover how mobile design draws inspiration from successful apps, enhancing user experiences through fluid and intuitive interactions. Learn about the power of high-fidelity prototyping and advanced tools that help turn concepts into reality, promoting accountability in the design process. Insights from industry experts shed light on the essentials of crafting beautiful and complex interactions.

Sam Stephenson is the co-founder and designer of Granola, a beloved AI-powered note-taking app. He shares insights into navigating the idea maze of AI product design. Sam discusses the importance of understanding user behavior and reveals the limitations of current note-taking tools. He highlights Granola’s breakthrough interaction patterns and future product roadmap. Additionally, he dives into the challenges of prompt engineering and user onboarding, emphasizing the delicate balance between simplicity and functionality in creating user-centric AI tools.

Discover how Ramp and Plaid elevate their design teams through innovative practices. They emphasize the importance of continuous feedback loops, moving away from outdated critique sessions. Collaboration is key, with structured initiatives like truth-seeking pods and Polish Reviews enhancing quality and ownership in design work. These strategies foster an open atmosphere where creativity thrives, proving that a strong culture of craft can lead to exceptional results.

Ellis Hamburger, a talented storyteller and writer with a background at The Verge and Snapchat, shares invaluable insights on crafting compelling narratives for startups. He delves into the art of storytelling, outlining how to create a narrative that resonates with audiences. Listeners will discover effective copywriting strategies, lessons from Snapchat's language team, and tips for making product onboarding unforgettable. Ellis also emphasizes the power of simplicity in app design and the importance of connecting authentically with users.

Delve into the fascinating challenges of designing AI products, where user control must meet simplicity. Discover UI controls like creativity sliders that let users engage creatively with AI outputs. Explore the evolving nature of AI interaction patterns and the importance of innovative user experience. Plus, hear about exciting design tools like Visual Electric and Jitter that enhance creativity. Finally, navigate the intricate balance of intuitive design in AI-driven creative fields, ensuring technology complements user experience.

Alejandro Matamala Ortiz, Co-founder and Chief Design Officer at Runway, shares insights from the forefront of AI-driven design, particularly in filmmaking. He discusses how AI is reshaping product development and blurring traditional roles, emphasizing collaborative environments for innovation. Alejandro highlights the importance of incremental progress in developing AI video tools and the need for curiosity in design. He envisions a future where AI democratizes storytelling, empowering diverse voices and redefining creative processes.

Most designers fall into the same trap when presenting their ideas.So this ~5 min episode breaks down how to pitch your designs like a pro.Chris AbadGabe Valdivia