Beyond The Interface (BTI)

Jay Tulloch, Warren Nugent

Hosted by Jay Tulloch and Warren Nugent, this podcast explores the intersection of design (UX), product management, and technology, with insights from industry leaders on leadership, trends, and hard-hitting topics.

  1. MAR 17

    Harry & Jack (Discovered MENA): The Brutal Reality of Design Hiring in 2026... Surplus Talent, AI & Broken Portfolios

    The design hiring landscape is shifting fast, especially in the UAE. In this episode of Beyond The Interface, we sit down with Harry and Jack from Discovered MENA to explore what’s really happening in the design recruitment market. They discuss the growing surplus of design talent, why junior designers are struggling to break into the industry, and what hiring managers are actually looking for when reviewing portfolios and CVs. The conversation also dives into the state of design leadership in the Middle East, the increasing overlap between product and design roles, and how AI may reshape the future of the profession. If you're navigating the design job market or building design teams, this episode offers a candid look at the realities of hiring in 2026. Topics covered: The current state of recruitment in the UAEWhy junior designers are struggling in today’s marketHow to craft a portfolio that stands outWhat makes a strong design CVJob search strategies that actually workThe lack of mature design leadership in the regionHow AI could reshape the future of design roles Links: Harry SIlvester Jack Steven Discovered MENA JFBI Chapters: 00:00 The State of Recruitment in the UAE 11:40 Challenges for Junior Designers 17:28 Crafting a Standout Portfolio 26:31 Navigating the CV Landscape 37:47 Innovative Job Search Strategies 41:01 The State of Design Leadership in the UAE 44:49 Challenges in Design Leadership Recruitment 48:32 The Impact of AI on Design Roles 53:29 The Evolution of Design Roles and Responsibilities 01:02:04 JFBI: A New Era in Design Education

    1h 12m

  2. MAR 3

    Dr. Nick Fine: Is Product Management Failing UX? AI, Leadership & the Future of User-Centered Design.

    In this episode of Beyond The Interface, we sit down with Nick Fine for one of the most candid conversations we’ve had on the state of the UX industry. Nick doesn’t hold back. We dive into: Why “A players hire A players” is breaking down in today’s product orgs How leadership insecurity is damaging product quality Whether product management has become a failed experiment Why proper user research is being deprioritised The real impact of AI on UX and product development And what needs to change if we want to rebuild strong, user-centred teams From empire-building leadership to the fear driving today’s design culture, this episode challenges the narratives many teams are quietly struggling with. If you care about building better products and protecting the craft of UX ... This one is essential listening. Links: Dr. Nick Fine's LinkedIn Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to User-Centric UX 04:14 The State of the UX Industry 10:51 Leadership and Management Failures 15:44 The Role of Agile in UX 20:20 The Impact of AI on Product Management 24:50 The Future of UX Design and Training 32:06 The Evolution of Product Teams 41:40 The Illusion of Speed in App Development 44:06 Back to Basics: The Importance of UX Principles 45:35 Skepticism Towards AI in Product Development 48:23 The Fear Factor in Design and Leadership 49:29 The ROI Dilemma in Product Management 51:24 Leadership Accountability and the Future of UX 53:19 The Decline of User Research Quality 57:25 Reinstating Value in User Research 01:01:57 The Future of User Research and AI 01:12:24 Quality vs. Mediocrity in UX Design

    1h 18m

  3. FEB 17

    Qaalfa Dibeehi: Synthetic Personas & the Future of Research... From Human Insight to Agentic Intelligence

    This episode was recorded LIVE at DDX, where Beyond The Interface hosted an on-stage conversation with Qaalfa Dibeehi, Partner at Human2Outcome. Together, we unpack one of the most pressing questions facing design and research teams today: Are synthetic personas and agentic AI reshaping the future of user research... or simply augmenting it? In this conversation, we explore: What “agentic AI” actually means in practice How synthetic personas are evolving — and where they break The risks of bias amplification in AI-driven systems Ethics, privacy, and the responsibility of organizations using AI for research Whether AI reduces or magnifies blind spots in decision-making The role of human judgment in an increasingly automated world What this means for retail, omnichannel experiences, and customer trust Rather than treating AI as hype or fear, this discussion takes a grounded approach, examining how research fundamentals still matter, even as the tools evolve. If you’re working in product, design, research, CX, or AI strategy, this episode will challenge how you think about insight, governance, and the future of decision-making. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qaalfa-dibeehi/ https://human2outcome.com/ https://www.ddxconference.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Agentic AI and Synthetic Personas 02:04 The Evolution of Synthetic Personas in Research 06:00 Accuracy and Limitations of Synthetic Personas 10:04 Privacy Concerns in Data Usage 14:00 Ethics and Responsibility in Data Management 17:51 Diversity and Bias in AI Systems 21:46 The Future of Customer Experience with AI 26:09 Maintaining Human Touch in Research 29:50 Challenges in Implementing AI in Retail 34:02 Conclusion and Future Perspectives

    38 min

  4. JAN 27

    Matt D Smith (MDS): Why Good Enough UI Is Holding Design Back

    Summary In this episode, Jay and Warren interview Matt D. Smith (MDS), a prominent figure in the design community known for his contributions to UI and UX design. MDS shares his journey from graphic design to user experience, discussing the evolution of design practices and the balance between artistic expression and user needs. The conversation delves into the importance of craft in design, the role of systems thinking, and the challenges of 'good enough' UI. MDS emphasizes the need for designers to push back against constraints while managing expectations and highlights the significance of intuition versus data in design decisions. He also introduces Shift Nudge, a platform aimed at bridging the skills gap in the design industry, and discusses the future of AI in design, advocating for a balanced approach to leveraging technology while maintaining design integrity. Takeaways MDS emphasizes the importance of balancing artistic expression with user experience.The evolution of design has shifted from information architecture to user experience.Craftsmanship in design is crucial, but 'good enough' UI has its place.Designers should push back against constraints while managing expectations.Systems thinking is essential for maintaining consistency in design.Intuition plays a significant role in design decisions, especially for experienced designers.Shift Nudge aims to bridge the skills gap in the design industry.Designers need to learn how to effectively use AI tools in their workflow.Asking the right questions is key to successful design collaboration.The future of design will involve a blend of traditional skills and new technologies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to MDS and His Journey 05:11 The Evolution of Design and User Experience 09:46 Craft vs. Good Enough UI 15:08 The Balance of Systems Thinking and Craft 19:45 Intuition vs. Data in Design Decisions 46:47 Crafting Effective Interfaces 50:03 The Role of Experience in Design 53:38 Transitioning from Junior to Senior Designer 56:01 The Importance of Stakeholder Management 01:00:02 Shift Nudge: Elevating Design Skills 01:07:02 Identifying Skills Gaps in Design 01:11:12 The Impact of AI on Design 01:22:33 The Future of Design with AI Where can you find Matt? https://shiftnudge.com/https://www.instagram.com/mds/https://x.com/mds Keywords design, user experience, UI, UX, Shift Nudge, craft, systems thinking, AI in design, design education, design skills

    1h 22m

  5. JAN 20

    Tim Daines: Why Designing Systems Is the Key to Agentic AI

    In this episode of Beyond The Interface, we are joined by Tim Danes, a data and AI development expert, to explore the current landscape of artificial intelligence and its implications for businesses. Tim discusses the prevalent fear of job loss due to AI advancements, emphasizing the need for individuals to adapt and upskill to remain relevant in a rapidly changing environment. He draws parallels between the current AI revolution and the early days of web development, suggesting that while many are focused on the surface-level capabilities of AI, the real potential lies in developing intelligent knowledge management systems that can integrate AI into business processes effectively. Tim's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-daines/ https://www.thecambridgelabs.com/ai-toolbox Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to AI and Its Impact 02:23 Understanding LLMs and Their Role 06:40 The Need for Intelligent Knowledge Management 12:23 Designing Memory Systems for AI 16:32 Strategizing AI Implementation 20:44 The Role of Product Managers in AI Development 25:08 Benchmarking AI Effectiveness 32:21 The Importance of Critical Thinking in AI Adoption 33:50 The Role of System Prompts in AI 41:18 Building AI Skills in the Workforce 47:09 AI's Potential in Leadership Roles 51:32 The Risks of AI and Perception of Reality 59:24 Future Trends in AI Architecture

    1h 6m

  6. JAN 6

    Leopold Ajami: Mastering Influence and the Art of Persuasion

    In this conversation, Leopold discusses the principles of influence and persuasion, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices in coaching and communication. He explores the psychological aspects of decision-making, particularly the roles of System One and System Two thinking. Leopold provides insights on how designers can effectively influence stakeholders and the significance of public speaking in building confidence and credibility. He also addresses the potential impact of AI on communication and the necessity of maintaining human connection in the process. Learn more from Leopold The Pixel Debate Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Influence and Coaching 05:40 Principles of Influence in Coaching 10:49 Ethics in Persuasion and Influence 15:56 Understanding System One and System Two Thinking 22:10 Designing Decisions and Influencing Stakeholders 28:03 The Role of Designers in Influence 34:04 Building Confidence and Conviction in Presentations 40:04 Public Speaking: Overcoming Fear and Engaging the Audience 54:13 The Future of AI in Public Speaking and Influence

    1 hr

  7. 12/09/2025

    Nathalie Salas: The alchemist mindset is crucial for transforming industries.

    In this episode, Natalie Salas, an experienced service designer and community builder, shares her journey into service design, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach and the alchemist mindset. She discusses the challenges of integrating service design within organizations, the impact of AI on the design process, and the innovative Pixel Debates format she has created to foster open dialogue and critical thinking in the design community. The conversation highlights the need for designers to think beyond traditional roles and embrace a systems thinking approach to drive meaningful change. Links: Nathalie's LinkedIn The Pixel Debate Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Service Design and Natalie Salas 04:54 The Journey into Service Design 09:55 Understanding Service Design: Definitions and Mindset 14:43 The Role of Service Design in Organizations 19:44 Becoming an Alchemist: The Future of Design 24:57 Service Design in the UAE: Opportunities and Challenges 40:37 Navigating Enterprise Systems with Agility 41:49 The Transformative Power of AI in Service Design 46:45 Understanding AI's Role in Design and Decision Making 52:14 The Importance of Systems Thinking in Design 58:37 Pixel Debates: A New Approach to Design Conversations 01:11:33 Adapting to the Changing Job Market 01:16:30 The Future of Pixel Debates and Community Engagement

    1h 19m

  8. 11/25/2025

    Joe Fletcher: The Evolution of Design in the Age of AI

    In this episode, we're with Joe Fletcher, discussing his journey in the tech industry, particularly in UX and AI. We explore the importance of understanding the history of design, the evolving landscape of AI, and how it impacts job roles in design. Joe emphasizes the need for adaptability, continuous learning, and the creative application of knowledge in the face of rapidly changing technology. The conversation also touches on team dynamics, the importance of input in AI, and the necessity of challenging traditional design processes to foster innovation. Links: Joe's Podcast Joe's LinkedIn Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background of Joe Fletcher 04:44 Adapting to the AI Landscape 09:32 The Importance of Understanding Fundamentals 12:51 Input vs Output in AI 19:06 The Future of Design Jobs 26:14 Coaching and Mindset in Design 31:27 Balancing Learning and Leadership 34:51 Embracing AI in Design 38:12 Challenging Traditional Design Processes 41:54 The Future of Design Teams 49:18 The Evolving Role of the Unicorn 54:19 Mindset and Adaptability in Design

    1h 2m
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About

Hosted by Jay Tulloch and Warren Nugent, this podcast explores the intersection of design (UX), product management, and technology, with insights from industry leaders on leadership, trends, and hard-hitting topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Jay Tulloch, Warren Nugent
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jay Tulloch, Warren Nugent
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Interface (BTI)