Design Mob

Jordyn Gleason

This is a call to take design seriously and take ourselves seriously as makers. Not in a rigid way, but in a creative, playful, let’s-get-better-together way. If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or creatively stale, this one’s for you. Listen in, stay curious, and stay weird. Keep the conversations going. Join The Mob: https://discord.gg/tZgNgkZKbT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 014: Stick to what you know – from emoji analytics to AI design tools

    6 DAYS AGO

    014: Stick to what you know – from emoji analytics to AI design tools

    In this episode, we sit down with Alex Danilowicz, CEO and co-founder of Magic Patterns, to unpack what it really takes to build an AI product designers actually want to use. Alex shares the long, winding road behind Magic Patterns, from a year of pivots in design tooling and a scrapped text-message analytics startup, to finding product-market fit in the emerging world of AI-powered “vibe designing.” We talk about why engineers with a strong design eye have a unique edge in the AI era, how Magic Patterns stands apart by working directly with existing design systems and component libraries, and why knowing a little bit of code (even just the language) makes designers dramatically more powerful when working with AI tools. Alex also breaks down the realities of Y Combinator, fundraising without hype, and why customer usage-not compliments-is the only real definition of product love. The conversation goes deep into startup discipline: when to pivot, when to launch, why being “early” can feel lonely, and how competition can actually be a signal that you’re onto something. Alex shares candid lessons on working with a co-founder who’s also your best friend, staying focused in distraction-heavy tech hubs, and resisting fear-mongering narratives about AI replacing designers. If you’re a designer, PM, or founder navigating AI, design systems, or early-stage startups, this episode is a grounded, optimistic look at building real products, listening to users, and using AI as a multiplier-not a replacement-for human taste, judgment, and creativity. You can connect with Alex on LinkedIn. Shoot him a DM if you listened to this message. Talk soon! Keep the conversations going. Join The Mob: https://discord.gg/tZgNgkZKbT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  2. 010: Career Inventory: Let's check in.

    01/12/2025

    010: Career Inventory: Let's check in.

    Most of us sprint through our careers without ever stopping to actually look at where we’re going. We jump from project to project, take whatever comes our way, and hope it somehow adds up to growth. But the truth? Creative careers don’t grow by accident, they grow by intention. In this episode, we walk through a five-step process I recommend every designer do at the start of a new year. Think of it as your annual creative inventory, part self-reflection, part strategy, part “get your sh*t together.” We break down: 1. Your Role Reality Check: what’s actually on your plate right now (the honest version). 2. Your Top Career Priorities: pulled straight from our Career Priorities framework so you can see whether your current job aligns with what matters most. 3. A Full UX Skills Assessment: using the Skills Matrix to understand where you’re strong, where you're stretched, and where you need support. 4. A 4–6 Week Energy Map: the simplest, spiciest diagnostic tool for figuring out what drains and fuels your work. 5. Finding the Overlap: the magic zone where your skills, energy, and priorities align… and how to build a monthly → quarterly → yearly plan around it. This episode is for anyone feeling stagnant, misaligned, overwhelmed, or just curious about how to design a better year for themselves. No corporate jargon. No vague “follow your passion” nonsense. Just real talk, practical tools, and a reminder that your career is something you get to design on purpose. Let’s get intentional. Let’s get honest. And if you want the worksheets, join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/tZgNgkZKbT Next week I'll be answering any questions you might have regarding design. Drop them here: https://forms.gle/ApmzJErvJsdczjRUA Keep the conversations going. Join The Mob: https://discord.gg/tZgNgkZKbT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min

About

This is a call to take design seriously and take ourselves seriously as makers. Not in a rigid way, but in a creative, playful, let’s-get-better-together way. If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or creatively stale, this one’s for you. Listen in, stay curious, and stay weird. Keep the conversations going. Join The Mob: https://discord.gg/tZgNgkZKbT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.