Kiasu Design Life

Hsuan, Adilah Anuar
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A UX & product design podcast based in Singapore 🌤 Hosted and produced by Adilah and Hsuan. Give chance and listen leh.

  1. 41: Behind the Firewall: Design in Singapore’s Defence Tech

    06/12/2025

    41: Behind the Firewall: Design in Singapore’s Defence Tech

    What’s it really like designing digital tools you can’t talk about in Singapore’s defence tech space? Sharon and Dionne take us inside their work at CSIT, the leading cybersecurity agency in MINDEF, where they build mission-critical systems that government users rely on every day. This episode dives into the creative, complex, and surprisingly human side of designing for national security. ___ Our guest for today are 🙋🏻‍♀️ Dionne (LinkedIn) and 🙋🏻‍♀️ Sharon (LinkedIn) from CSIT (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook) CSIT's post on Odyssey (LinkedIn) - first-ever defence tech design meet-up ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Hello, hello! (01:36) Introducing Dionne and Sharon! (08:43) Embracing unexpected career paths (11:06) So... what do they actually design? (16:29) Deep dive into a brag-worthy project (23:28) Tooling and tech with high security (30:19) Who's cut out for CSIT + Interview tips (33:05) Your mala dala IG questions — answered! (40:09) Closing thoughts & shoutouts! ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram, where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website | LinkedIn Hsuan - Website | LinkedIn

    42 min
  2. 40: Inside UX bootcamps: What it’s really like in Singapore

    02/03/2025

    40: Inside UX bootcamps: What it’s really like in Singapore

    Ever wondered what it’s really like to make the leap from a UX bootcamp to a product design career in Singapore? Well, we’re about to find out! Join us for a candid, no-holds-barred chat featuring both Alicia, a recent bootcamp grad and currently a Product Designer at Open Gov Products, plus our very own Adilah! Through an unfiltered conversation, Alicia and Adilah share their honest experiences, challenges, and lessons they've learned along the way. ___ 🙋🏻‍♀️ Our guest for today is  Alicia Chong! (Linkedin) ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Happy 2025... again! (01:50) Why This Episode? (05:30) Meet Alicia! (09:33) Alicia’s Big Career Switch (13:38) Choosing the Bootcamp Life (18:17) Bootcamp Breakdown: How It Works (21:36) More Theory, Less Practice? (26:54) Bootcamp Struggles (31:24) Aha Moment: Biggest Bootcamp Lesson (33:25) The End of Bootcamp & Job Hunt Struggles (45:55) Culture Shock as a Bootcamp Grad (52:02) Advice for Future UX Bootcampers (56:05) Our New Year's EVOLUTION! ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram, where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website | LinkedIn Hsuan - Website | LinkedIn

    1h 3m
  3. 39: The power of starting something (a talk at The Good Circle)

    01/08/2025

    39: The power of starting something (a talk at The Good Circle)

    📹 🔴 This is a recording of a talk we did for  the pilot meetup of "The Good Circle" back in November 2024 where we shared how simply being open thrusts ourselves towards starting something we both believe in. Hailing from different backgrounds and upbringings, hear how we embrace and turn our identities into self-empowerment. The Good Circle hopes to drive greater visibility for women, with the intention to close the gap, particularly in leadership. ♥️ ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Happy 2025! (02:01) When was the last time you thought of starting something? (04:27) #1: Recognising a need (07:48) #2: Opening up (10:58) #3: Coming together (19:17) #4: Owning our identity ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram, where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website | LinkedIn Hsuan - Website | LinkedIn

    22 min
  4. 38: Rock hard truths 🪨 about UX design

    11/04/2024

    38: Rock hard truths 🪨 about UX design

    One undeniable and hard truth we all know about UX is that "the design process never linear". But what other truths exist in this realm? Today, with insights from the internet and our listeners, we're diving into that very question! ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Hello! (03:25) Topic intro (06:02) "No respect for UX" (10:00) "Advocating for UX" (15:00) "Not investing in UX" (17:46) "Design leader = QOL" (20:00) "Overruled with gut feeling" (28:02) "Low hanging fruits" (30:30) "Teamwork takes time" (32:52) "UX is not creative" (37:52) Closing thoughts ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram, where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website | LinkedIn Hsuan - Website | LinkedIn

    39 min
  5. 37: Small kids, big thinkers - Design thinking in primary schools!

    09/06/2024

    37: Small kids, big thinkers - Design thinking in primary schools!

    Heard of design thinking for kids? That's right - kids as young as 10 years old are learning coding, researching, brainstorming and even pitching in primary schools!   Get ready to meet Team GummyCare, the young innovators on a mission to advocate for healthy eating! 🥕🥦 How did they come up with their awesome idea and will they take over our jobs? 😱   Let’s get inspired by the next generation of big thinkers! ___ Our guests are Mrs. Tan Qili (Teacher), and Team GummyCare consists of Amelia, Karyn, Luke, Ying Xuan and Rui Jie from Ai Tong Primary School.  This episode is in support of the People of Design Campaign by DesignSingapore Council.  Image courtesy of the DesignSingapore Council. ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Welcome Team GummyCare! (06:25) How Ai Tong Pri. Sch. brings design thinking to kids (13:00) How did Team GummyCare came out with their great idea? (16:54) Ingenious ways to quickly validate their ideas (18:54) Final showcase, prototype & meeting the minister! (29:05) How Ai Tong Pri. Sch. students are encouraged to "design-think" (33:50) Students' learnings, memorable stories, and teacher's takeaway (36:40) Students very realistic dream when they grow up ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram, where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website | LinkedIn Hsuan - Website | LinkedIn

    40 min
  6. 36: Radical thinking: Lion dance for seniors?!

    08/07/2024

    36: Radical thinking: Lion dance for seniors?!

    Imagine this: lion dance meets active ageing! Singapore is one of the fastest ageing nations in the world, and staying active is key. But what if we take that a step further? That's what Hao Jie and Edmund from NextOfKin Creatives did by combining the vibrant rhythms of lion dance with the concept of active ageing. Listen in and get ready to redefine what staying fit and fabulous means in your golden years! ___ Our guests are Hao Jie and Edmund. This episode is in support of the People of Design Campaign by DesignSingapore Council. Check out NextofKin Creatives, and their latest initiative Public Design School. Do you know there's a cafe in Singapore run by senior citizens called SASCO@Khatib? ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Hello! (03:54) About Silver Pride Lion Troupe (06:46) How did this project start? (10:06) Immersing and brainstorming at a senior-ran cafe  (14:45) Edmund & Hao Jie's role: Micro vs Macro (20:51) What's their design process and challenges? (34:05) A day in a life of a senior in Silver Pride Lion Troupe  (40:10) Advice to designing for senior-care (43:40) Memorable moments  (48:36) Learnings from designing this programme (51:26) What's next for the Silver Pride Lion Troupe programme? (55:12) What's next for NextOfKin Creatives? ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram, where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website | LinkedIn Hsuan - Website | LinkedIn

    58 min
  7. 35: Kopi ☕️ Chat Pt.2: Interviewing, rejections, salary cut & fake listings?

    07/22/2024

    35: Kopi ☕️ Chat Pt.2: Interviewing, rejections, salary cut & fake listings?

    Remember back in 2021 when we used to ask each other, “Have you been vaccinated?” Fast forward to 2024, and now the greeting is, “Have you found a job yet?” This year might feel like a rollercoaster of hope and rejection for many of us.In Part 2 of Kopi Chat, we dive into the real talk about job hunting after a layoff and tackle some tough topics like salary cuts! Grab your coffee and join us for a candid conversation about the highs and lows of the job search journey. ☕✨ ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Hello! (02:55) S****y job market + more layoffs... (03:20) Observation of Singapore's design job market (08:15) Desperation energy (10:20) More contracts vs perm roles? (11:34) Getting rejected :") (17:15) Framework for your "dream job" (18:10) Lower salary and taking a cut (25:40) Embracing "failures" than "wins" (28:50) How to accurately suss out a company culture? (31:50) Mind-shift as a renewed employee after a layoff ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram, where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website | LinkedIn Hsuan - Website | LinkedIn

    39 min
  8. 34: Kopi ☕️ Chat Pt.1: Challenges & superpowers as a designer & parent

    07/08/2024

    34: Kopi ☕️ Chat Pt.1: Challenges & superpowers as a designer & parent

    Oh parenthood! It’s a whole new world that no manual can truly capture the essence and make you feel prepared. You will only experience the reality of it when you are in it. 😅 Heyo - we're back from a short break with a kopi chat. Come sit down with us in your singlets and FBTs, and your favourite kopi/teh. This episode is part 1 of 2 of our casual design life update focusing on being a parent AND a designer! (stress) ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Hello! (04:40) Becoming a parent..once again (06:50) Thoughts around employment and pregnant (09:36) Experiencing life in seasons (11:40) When should I take a break in the midst of trying? (13:30) Being more than your job as a Designer (18:02) Reality of being a working designer parent (21:19) Managing design work and parent work (23:40) Anti-parents co-workers? :( (24:32) Stop over-explaining to colleagues (27:33) Being tactful in sharing your design process (28:37) Green & red flags of a family-friendly workplace (32:00) Competitive advantage of a "designer x parent" ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram, where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website | LinkedIn Hsuan - Website | LinkedIn

    35 min
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About

A UX & product design podcast based in Singapore 🌤 Hosted and produced by Adilah and Hsuan. Give chance and listen leh.

Information

  • Creator
    Hsuan, Adilah Anuar
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Hsuan, Adilah Anuar
  • Show Website
    Kiasu Design Life