All Things Design

Building Global Design Systems: Insights from QBE’s Head of UX Design and Innovation, Gaston Guernik

In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham is joined by Gaston Gernick, Global Head of UX Design and Innovation at QBE. The discussion delves into Gaston’s journey from Argentina to his current role, exploring the evolution and importance of design systems in digital transformations. Through engaging analogies and insights, Gaston shares his expertise on creating efficient, scalable design systems tailored to meet diverse customer needs across global markets.
Discover how Gaston tackles challenges such as cross-cultural differences, stakeholder buy-in, and ensuring consistency. The conversation also touches on the future of design systems and their potential to offer fully personalized digital experiences, as well as the significant role of AI in shaping these innovations. This episode provides valuable insights into the strategic implementation of design systems and the continuing evolution of user experience in the digital age.

Angus Tait - Aligning Design with Business: Insights from Xero's Director

In this episode of All Things Design, Joe Woodham sits down with Angus Tait, Product Design Director at Xero, to explore the dynamic process of aligning design teams with overarching business goals. With years of experience in product design, Angus shares valuable strategies for bridging customer-centric design with critical commercial outcomes in a SaaS environment. Discover practical approaches to building customer alignment, managing technical debt, and quantifying the ROI of design to drive impactful decisions.
 
Angus also sheds light on the importance of integrating design metrics with business objectives, from onboarding efficiencies to cost-saving solutions, and how these play a role in influencing company strategy. Whether you're leading a design team or interested in how design can directly contribute to business success, this episode offers insights you won’t want to miss.
 
Join us to learn actionable ways to design with purpose, enhance your team's influence, and deliver results that align with both customer needs and business goals.

Design Thinking Beyond Aesthetics: Moe Al Hassan on Solving Complex Business Challenges

In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham dives deep with Moe Al Hassan, Head of Product Design at Innovit, to uncover strategies for turning complex design challenges into actionable solutions. Moe shares his journey from starting in print and brand design to leading digital product transformations, highlighting the invaluable role of agility and a broad design foundation. They discuss how design thinking transcends aesthetics to address core business needs, the benefits of fostering a safe space for creative risk-taking, and the critical role cross-functional collaboration plays in driving successful outcomes.
Tune in for actionable insights on how Moe’s team tackled a 25-year-old problem by embracing fresh perspectives, proving feasibility with a cross-departmental “roadshow,” and leveraging data-backed decision-making. Perfect for design leaders seeking to enhance collaboration, influence organizational change, and navigate the evolving landscape of digital design.

Leading Through Change. Aniruddha Kadam’s Lessons from Google, LinkedIn, and Shopify

In this episode of All Things Design, we sit down with Aniruddha Kadam, a seasoned design leader with experience at Google, Shopify, and LinkedIn. Having recently relocated to Australia from the U.S., Aniruddha shares insights on adapting to new environments, managing change within large, complex organisations, and the growing importance of connecting design decisions to business outcomes. Learn how Aniruddha and his teams navigated major industry shifts, including the transition to remote work during COVID and preparing for the post-cookie world in advertising. Whether you're a design manager or an aspiring leader, this conversation is packed with valuable strategies for resilience and influence in the ever-evolving landscape of design.
Key topics include:
Managing design teams through significant industry changes
Aligning design outcomes with business goals and metrics
Building resilience in fast-paced environments like Google and LinkedIn
Navigating cultural and professional transitions when moving abroad
Tune in to hear Aniruddha’s journey and discover how to thrive in dynamic design environments.

Navigating Complexity in Digital Change with Ian Stokol

Join us on All Things Design as Joe dives into the intricacies of design and digital transformation with Ian Stokol, Head of Design and Capability Lead at Computershare. Ian brings a wealth of experience, discussing his journey from early graphic design days to pioneering solutions in today’s digitally complex world. In this episode, we explore:
The evolution of design and human-centred interaction since the 80s
Balancing change with core human needs in UX
Digital transformation’s impact on large organisations and overcoming legacy system challenges
The designer's role in organizational strategy, aligning with stakeholders, and simplifying wicked problems
Why "transformation" is more mindset than event
Gain insights on embedding design as a core part of digital strategy, understand the value of mapping, and hear why designers must balance creativity with people skills. Perfect for design leaders, strategists, and digital innovators looking to shape resilient, user-focused organisations

Boosting Efficiency in Design with Siray Li

In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe delves into boosting team efficiency with Siray Li, Product Design Chapter Lead at Medibank. This episode unpacks how Siray and her team navigate the complexities of process, efficiency, and team culture in design.
Key Topics:
The journey through multiple design process iterations, including the Double Diamond and Google's Design Sprints
Success with the 30-60-90 Design Critique Framework and Why it Improved Alignment and Reduced Project Times
Fostering a collaborative team culture through iterative feedback and co-creation
Lessons in stakeholder engagement and creating a universal language for design critiques
Gain actionable insights from Medibank’s approach, understand the value of process flexibility, and hear how the right framework can empower designers. Ideal for design leaders, UX professionals, and anyone eager to improve team efficiency.

Building Leadership Skills and Fostering Growth with Simone Attanasio

In this episode of All Things Design, Joe Woodham sits down with seasoned design leader Simone Attanasio, founder of Therapy for Designers. Simone shares the inspiration behind this unique platform, which helps young designers develop leadership skills and navigate the complexities of their careers. Through Therapy for Designers, Simone creates a space for designers to connect, share their challenges, and grow their leadership mindset in a supportive group setting.
Join us as we dive into Simone's journey, the importance of fostering vulnerability in leadership, and how creating a community of active listeners can empower emerging design leaders. If you're in the early stages of your design career and wondering how to take that next big leap, this episode is for you! Learn about Simone's process, the future of Therapy for Designers, and how you can get involved. Tune in for valuable insights on leadership, growth, and connection in the design community.

Navigating Design Leadership and Industry Shifts with Jason Ross

In this episode of "All Things Design," Joe Woodham sits down with Jason Ross, a design leader with extensive experience across various sectors. Jason shares his fascinating career journey, from starting as a hands-on designer to moving into leadership roles, overseeing diverse teams and tackling complex design challenges. They delve into the transition from individual contributor to manager, discussing the importance of mentorship, building strong teams, and developing leadership skills. Jason also touches on the trends in the design industry, including the increasing need for generalist designers and how AI is impacting design processes.
This episode offers a wealth of insights for both budding and established design professionals, covering everything from the evolution of leadership to the practical skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-changing design landscape. If you’re interested in how to navigate the dynamic world of design, this conversation with Jason Ross is a must-listen.
Tune in for valuable takeaways on growing your design career, adapting to industry shifts, and the importance of collaboration in building successful design teams.

Driving Digital Transformation in Design: Insights with Benson Low

In this episode of the "All Things Design" podcast, host Joe Woodham sits down with Benson Low, former Head of Design at REA, to explore the intersection of AI and design in driving digital transformation. Benson shares his unique perspectives on how generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and MidJourney, are reshaping the creative process. He emphasizes the importance of retaining control over design while harnessing the power of AI to enhance efficiencies and scale creative efforts. Benson also dives into the ethical implications of AI in the design industry, highlighting the balance between human intuition and AI-driven automation.
Tune in to hear Benson's expert take on how designers can stay relevant, adapt to emerging AI technologies, and ensure AI is a co-pilot in the creative process, not a replacement. Whether you're a seasoned designer or new to the field, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of design and technology.
Key Takeaways:
How AI tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney are changing design workflows.
The role of human creativity in an AI-driven future.
Ethical considerations when implementing AI in design.
Benson’s approach to balancing traditional design principles with emerging technologies.
Perfect for design leaders, UX professionals, and anyone interested in the future of AI and design!
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Navigating Leadership in Design with Navi McKennary: From Motion Design to Global Leadership

Join Joe Woodham as he sits down with Navi McKennary, a dynamic design leader with an incredible career journey. Starting as a motion designer at McCann Digital in Israel, Navi rose through the ranks, taking on leadership roles at Viber—a communications platform with over 200 million daily users. In this episode, Navi shares how she transitioned from hands-on design to leading global design teams, her passion for nurturing talent, and the importance of embracing technology and innovation. Discover how Navi's leadership journey shaped her approach to design, her views on AI's impact on the industry, and how she empowers teams to thrive through her people-first philosophy.
If you're a design professional looking for insights into leadership, talent development, or the future of design in the age of AI, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Learn how Navi has navigated diverse industries from health to education and employment and how she continues to enhance the human experience through technology.