All Things Design

How Data-Driven UX Transformed a Hiring Platform

In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Hector Serrano, Director of Research & Design at JobAdder. Hector shares how he transformed a UI-only team into a strategic design powerhouse, elevating the role of design across the organization.From scaling a design team to speaking the language of executives, this episode is packed with insights for design leaders, UX professionals, and anyone looking to make design matter at the business level.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more conversations with top design leaders!⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Meet Hector Serrano01:00 – Why Hector became a designer02:00 – His early career at Peugeot and product design03:00 – From industrial design to software and UX05:00 – Working in banking: constraints and lessons learned06:00 – Joining JobAdder and the design maturity journey07:00 – Moving from UI to UX and strategic design08:30 – Educating the org on design value10:00 – A product launch failure that reshaped the team12:00 – How design stepped up to solve user issues14:00 – Using data and research to build trust in design16:00 – Becoming a data-informed, design-led team18:00 – Aligning design metrics with business outcomes20:00 – From feature design to industry research22:00 – Presenting to the CEO: how Hector communicates impact24:00 – Building a design-led culture26:00 – What CEOs really want to hear from design28:00 – Communicating without jargon: framing design for execs30:00 – What makes a “Hector Report” worth sharing32:00 – Reassessing jobs to be done and agency personas34:00 – Every team member is responsible for selling design35:00 – Empowering your design team to speak up📩 Want to connect with Hector?Find him on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectorserral/#DesignLeadership #UXDesign #ProductDesign #DesignStrategy #DesignMaturity #JobAdder #AllThingsDesign #DigitalTransformation #MONEY

Agile Teams: How Top Designers Drive Major Transformations

In this episode of All Things Design, we’re joined by Adam Crapp, Experience Design Director at Origin Energy. With years of experience leading digital transformations and building cross-functional teams, Adam shares valuable insights into the evolving role of design in agile environments.From working with global design teams to leading design efforts at Origin Energy, Adam reflects on the impact of design-led digital transformations and how the design process has shifted over the years. He discusses the challenges of empowering teams, maintaining focus in a rapidly changing environment, and the importance of building a strong team culture.Adam also shares lessons from his journey—how to keep your creative spark alive, the balance between leadership and individual contribution, and how to stay innovative despite facing creative blocks. Whether you're a designer, team leader, or someone interested in digital transformation, this episode is filled with wisdom and practical takeaways.Listen in to learn about:Building agile teams in a digital landscapeDesign leadership in large organizationsThe evolution of design in digital transformationsManaging creativity and staying innovativeAnd much more!Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from top design leaders.

The Design-Led Shift: Uniting Siloed Teams for Growth

Can anyone own insights? How can design thinking shape business strategy? In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Estyn Jones, Director of Insights and Experience Strategy at Who Gives a Crap, to discuss the intersection of design, strategy, and insights.Estyn shares his journey from nearly becoming a lawyer to leading strategic design at a global brand. They dive into how to break down silos, bring teams together, and communicate design’s value to leadership. Plus, Estyn reveals why storytelling is a superpower for designers and how he uses PechaKucha to sharpen presentation skills.🚀 Topics Covered:✔️ The role of insights in shaping business direction✔️ Design thinking beyond product teams✔️ How to bridge the gap between teams & improve collaboration✔️ Communicating design’s value to leadership✔️ The challenge of scaling design thinking in a fast-growing company✔️ Why storytelling is a crucial skill for designers📢 Connect with Estyn Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estyn-jones/💡 Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review & share it with your network!#UXDesign #DesignThinking #Leadership #Strategy #AllThingsDesign

Designing Success: Strategy, Vision & the Art of Alignment with James Ratsasane

How do you align product teams, communicate a clear vision, and execute impactful design strategy? In this episode of All Things Design, Joe Woodham sits down with James Ratsasane, former global experience design leader at Aēsop, to explore the role of strategic alignment, vision, and communication in successful product design.💡 What you'll learn in this episode:✔️ How James transitioned from fine art to UX and product design✔️ The power of a strong vision in keeping teams aligned✔️ Why great designers need to master communication & storytelling✔️ How to present design work to stakeholders and executives effectively✔️ The dangers of design by committee (and how to avoid them)✔️ Creating a culture of critique and collaboration in design teamsPacked with insights for UX designers, product managers, and design leaders alike, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their approach to design and strategy.🔔 Subscribe & never miss an episode!📩 Connect with James Ratsasane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-ratsasane/🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Your Favorite Platform📢 Follow All Things Design for more industry insights!#UXDesign #ProductDesign #DesignLeadership #JamesRatsasane #AllThingsDesign #UXStrategy #CreativeLeadership

The Power of UX: Strategy, Psychology & Business Impact with Renuja Marshall

Great design isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about solving real problems. In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Renuja Marshall, Experience Design Leader at IDP Education, to discuss the intersection of UX design, business strategy, and customer needs.Renuja shares valuable insights on:✅ How psychology plays a role in UX design✅ The balance between quick wins and long-term strategy✅ Why aligning with business goals is key to success✅ The importance of customer research and avoiding guesswork✅ How design systems drive efficiency and consistencyWhether you're a designer, product manager, or just curious about UX, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world lessons.🎧 Listen now and learn how to create user experiences that truly make an impact!🔗 Connect with Renuja: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renuja88marshall/📢 Follow All Things Design for more episodes on UX, product design, and digital transformation!

How Better Design Thinking Transforms Businesses with Kelly Jennings

In this episode ofAll Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Kelly Jennings, Head of Research and Design at Reckon, to explore how UX and CX drive business success. Kelly shares her journey into design, the role of organizational psychology in shaping better experiences, and how businesses can build a research-driven approach to improve efficiency.She also unpacks how aligning employee experience (EX) with customer experience (CX) creates lasting impact and why design is more than just aesthetics—it’s about solving real problems. If you’re passionate about UX, digital transformation, or leading a high-performing design team, this episode is a must-listen!Topics Covered:✅ The connection between EX and CX✅ How to build a research-driven design team✅ Convincing leadership to invest in UX✅ The power of storytelling in design✅ Metrics that prove the value of great design🔗Connect with Kelly Jennings:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenningskelly/

How Nicholas Nelson Is Revolutionizing Westpac’s Digital Design Game!

Podcast Description:
Join us as we dive into the fascinating career journey of Nicholas Nelson, Digital Creative Director at Westpac. From his humble beginnings as a landscaper to leading digital transformation at one of the largest banks in Australia, Nicholas shares his unique insights on blending creativity with strategy, navigating the challenges of a massive organization, and crafting seamless customer experiences. Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, industry tips, and a look at how digital design is evolving, this episode is a must-listen for designers, strategists, and innovators alike!

Beyond the Pixel: Connecting Design to Tangible Business Outcomes with Jac Ding

Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a powerful tool that drives business success. In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Jacalin (Jac) Ding, strategic design course creator at Maven, to explore how designers can connect their craft to tangible business outcomes.
Jacalin shares her journey from quitting design out of frustration to rediscovering its power through business acumen. She breaks down the key skills designers need to build confidence, communicate their impact, and align their work with company goals. Whether you’re a mid-level designer looking to grow or a leader trying to empower your team, this conversation is packed with insights on strategy, metrics, and career development.
Tune in to learn:
✅ How designers can speak the language of business
✅ The biggest mistakes designers make when presenting their work
✅ How to measure the real impact of design beyond aesthetics
✅ The key to gaining stakeholder buy-in and advancing your career
Plus, we discuss Jacalin’s upcoming course, designed to help product designers elevate their strategic thinking and career trajectory.
Links to Jacalin's channels:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacalinding/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVUPHxnuMXrkgPobAA5wHKgSubstack: https://substack.com/@jacalinding?utm_source=profile-page4 weeks Maven Course: "Strategic Design Career Accelerator" - Next Cohort starting on FEB 28th10% OFF Course Code:AllThingsDesign

🎙️Building High-Impact Design Teams: Vida Asrina Dhulst Unveils her Strategy

In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Vida Asrina Dhulst, Head of Experience Design at Endeavour Group, to explore the art of building high-impact design teams from scratch. Vida shares her journey from architecture to digital design, the crossover of design principles across industries, and actionable insights for fostering collaboration, scaling design functions, and driving real business impact. Whether you're a designer, team leader, or just fascinated by human-centered design, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and inspiring lessons. Tune in to learn how to create design solutions that matter!

Lawyer-Turned-Designer Reveals Insider Secrets to UX Success at REA!

What happens when a law degree meets the world of UX design? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Jo Hagenauer, Senior Product Design Manager at REA, who swapped courtrooms for creativity and carved an unconventional path to design leadership. Jo shares how her background in law shaped her analytical problem-solving skills, the challenges of cross-functional collaboration, and the secrets to embedding design into the heart of a business.
Discover the strategies REA uses to bridge product, design, and tech for seamless innovation, and learn how to future-proof your discovery process without sacrificing efficiency. Whether you're a seasoned designer, aspiring creative, or just curious about the intersection of logic and creativity, this episode is packed with insights to transform how you think about design in business.
🔗 Tune in for lessons on leadership, psychological safety, and how design can drive real impact!