All Things Design

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!

How Katy Zoghi Uses Data and Empathy to Revolutionize Design at nbn Australia!

Podcast Description:
In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Katy Zoghi, Principal Experience Designer and former Head of Experience Design at nbn, to explore how she seamlessly combines data-driven insights with human-centered design to tackle complex challenges.
Katy shares her journey from data analytics to design leadership, revealing:
🎯 How empathy for users AND stakeholders drives better outcomes.
📊 The power of data in aligning design initiatives with business goals.
🚀 Her approach to translating business strategies into actionable design solutions.
Whether you’re a designer, product manager, or just curious about the intersection of creativity and strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights for transforming design into a powerful driver of business success.
🎧 Tune in to learn how Katy bridges the gap between business and design like never before!

Bronwen Rees Exposes the Secrets Behind Xero’s Design Revolution!

Podcast Description:
In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Bronwen Rees, Product Design Lead at Xero, to uncover the transformative journey that reshaped Xero’s design approach. From overcoming early challenges in her design career to spearheading innovations in mobile usability and team efficiency, Bronwen shares her candid insights into what it takes to succeed in the fast-evolving world of design.
Discover how Bronwen slashed discovery times by 70%, adapted to Xero’s global growth, and navigated organizational changes to deliver cutting-edge experiences. Whether you’re a designer, product manager, or simply curious about the inner workings of digital transformation, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration.
Don’t miss Bronwen’s eye-opening perspective on collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and the future of design in an ever-changing tech landscape!

Cristian Vargas Lara, Qoria: Transforming Business with Design Thinking

In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Cristian Vargas Lara, Director of Product Design at Qoria, to uncover how design thinking is reshaping the digital transformation landscape. Cristian shares his journey from blending systems thinking and design to leading transformative design processes at Qoria.
Discover how Cristian has empowered his design team, integrated ideation workshops, and influenced stakeholders to embed design earlier in product development. He offers actionable insights on fostering collaboration, overcoming resistance, and creating a culture where design drives meaningful outcomes.
Whether you're a designer, a product manager, or simply curious about how design shapes innovation, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories. Connect with Cristian on LinkedIn for more insights!