Dive Club 🤿

Discover how AI is transforming the landscape of product design. Designers are urged to rethink their roles, embracing collaboration with AI for innovative solutions. The discussion emphasizes experimenting with cutting-edge AI tools to enhance creativity and productivity. Insights from industry experts reveal how leveraging AI can unlock new design possibilities, turning challenges into opportunities. Join in on the exploration of AI as a powerful design material and the future it promises for creators.

Mike and Chara Smith, co-founders of Smith & Diction, share their insights on innovative branding strategies. They discuss how to stand out in an AI-dominated world, emphasizing emotional connections in design. The duo offers tips on building brand loyalty through strategic positioning and the power of storytelling. Mike reveals his top advice for emerging designers, while they both reflect on the evolution of client relationships and the importance of originality in branding. Their journey showcases creativity and adaptability in today’s agency landscape.

Discover how thinking like an engineer can revolutionize design practices. Explore the transformative journey from coding to creative design, emphasizing collaboration and feedback. Learn about the challenges faced by early-career designers in navigating recruitment and the importance of passion over experience. Delve into innovative AI tools that simplify design processes, and see how integrating AI with traditional workflows opens new creative avenues. Gain insights into nurturing design intuition and balancing innovation with accessibility.

Pranathi Peri, the Lead Designer of v0 at Vercel, shares her journey from tech engineer to design expert. She emphasizes the importance of taste and intuition in AI product design. Pranathi discusses innovative concepts like 'onboarding roulette' and her personal 3D experiments. She highlights collaboration with engineers and the dynamic evolution of AI-driven products at V0. The conversation reveals the transformative role of AI in enhancing traditional design processes, advocating for a balance between creativity and technology.

Discover the hidden depths of craft in design, where attention to edge cases can make all the difference. Explore the critical role of user interactions, as designers learn to prioritize dialogues and toasts for enhanced experiences. Delve into the nuances of dialogue design, revealing the importance of content over mere aesthetics. Collaboration between designers and engineers is emphasized, showcasing tools that boost productivity. This engaging discussion offers insights into truly obsessing over the details that elevate product development.

In this engaging conversation, designer Sam Peitz, known for his innovative experiments and viral AI explorations, shares his creative journey from branding at Koto to product design. He discusses how constraints can enhance creativity, the balance between personal vision and professional duties, and the importance of pursuing passion projects. Sam also highlights his favorite design tools, the excitement of prototyping, and how embracing authenticity can lead to unexpected opportunities in design. Tune in for a fresh take on artistic expression!

Discover how designers are challenging conventional workflows and embracing creativity over rigid processes. Hear stories from industry leaders about the power of speed in design and the benefits of high-fidelity prototyping. The conversation delves into the importance of flexibility and intuition in fostering innovation. Tune in for insights on enhancing collaboration between designers and engineers, and learn why it’s time to rethink traditional design norms.

Did you know that the very first interface designer at Adobe was also the first designer to work on Figma? 🤯His name is Andrei Herasimchuk and he knows a lot about design tooling…So this week’s episode is jam-packed with stories about designing the earliest interfaces for Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as what it was like seeing the original seed of an idea that became Figma.Not only that… Andrei gives us a behind-the-scenes of his new design tooling startup and shares his vision for where software creation is headed next 👀Some highlights to expect:How AI fits into his new product strategyThe bizarre story of Andrei’s first day at AdobeThe 3 types of designers that will exist in the futureWhat it was like joining Figma as the first designer in 2012How Andrei defined the initial keyboard shortcuts in design toolsThe #1 trait of designers he’s worked with over the last 3 decadesWhen to break out of the familiar interaction patterns for design toolinga lot moreBryan Lamkin was Andrei’s first manager at AdobeMark Hamburg was who he collaborated with on the original keyboard shortcuts

Explore the strategies that leading startup designers use to thrive in innovative environments. Discover the art of rapid idea generation without emotional baggage, promoting simplicity in design. Learn about the critical importance of focus and adaptability in response to customer needs. Delve into transformative journeys of founders who balance design and product management. Tools like Genway and Raycast Notes highlight how technology can enhance workflow. Borrow insights from pioneers at successful startups to fuel your design ambitions!

Diego Zaks, the VP of Design at Ramp, shares his journey from the first senior designer to navigating the fastest-growing startup. He emphasizes the importance of velocity in design and how ‘truth-seeking pods’ transform team collaboration. Diego discusses the traits he values in design candidates, focusing on trust and humility. He highlights innovative feedback methods that empower designers to make strategic decisions. The conversation reveals how creating a safe space fosters creativity and helps build a strong design culture.