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 4

    Lisa D. Dance: Companies don’t know how frustrating they are until it’s too late.

    In this episode, Lisa D Dance shares her journey from a young age, where her passion for improving customer experiences began, to her current role as a UX researcher and author. She discusses her book, 'Today is the Perfect Day to Improve Customer Experience,' which highlights the importance of understanding customer needs beyond just technology. Lisa emphasizes the significance of effective feedback loops, the cost of poor customer experiences, and the concept of unpaid customer labor. She introduces her frameworks, including the 3Q Do No Harm framework, aimed at helping organizations proactively identify potential harms in their products. The conversation also touches on the ethical implications of technology in customer experience and the future challenges that lie ahead. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ldance/ https://serviceease.net/ Lisa's book: https://serviceease.gumroad.com/ 3Q-Do No Harm Framework: https://serviceease.net/3q-do-no-harm-framework Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to UX and Customer Experience 01:10 The Early Signs of a UX Advocate 04:26 Transitioning to User Experience Research 06:45 The Book: Improving Customer Experiences 10:47 Understanding Organizational Blind Spots 14:34 Bridging Feedback Loops in Organizations 17:26 Incentivizing Customer Experience Improvements 20:32 The Cost of Poor Customer Experiences 24:25 Measuring Customer Experience Value 27:23 The Importance of Basic Customer Service 29:57 Unpaid Customer Labor and Its Implications 40:12 Navigating Customer Experience in a Tech-Driven World 43:23 Addressing Unpaid Customer Labor 48:45 The Importance of Customer Feedback and Testing 49:12 The Power of Storytelling in Customer Experience 52:34 Introducing the 3Q Do No Harm Framework 59:07 Implementing Ethical Frameworks in Design 01:03:26 Future Challenges in Ethical Design 01:10:03 Target Audience and the Impact of Storytelling

    1h 18m
  2. FEB 18

    Laura Baker: Designers don’t need a seat at the table—they need to shape the conversation.

    In this episode of Beyond the Interface, Laura Baker shares her journey from industrial design to becoming a leader in UX and service design. She discusses the challenges and rewards of accidental leadership, the importance of adaptive management styles, and the need for a thriving team environment. Laura emphasizes the significance of hiring practices in building a strong culture and the necessity of creating a shared vision within design teams. The conversation also touches on the future of design operations, the value of collaboration, and strategies for securing budget and resources for design initiatives. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahbaker Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background of Laura Baker 02:50 Accidental Leadership Journey 05:58 Transitioning from IC to Leadership 08:49 Finding Balance in Management Styles 11:50 Learning from Leadership Experiences 14:40 Adapting Leadership as You Grow 17:54 Creating a Thriving Team Environment 20:54 The Importance of Hiring for Culture 23:52 Visioning and Moving Beyond Feature Factories 26:28 Crafting a Collaborative Vision 29:49 Empowering Team Members to Contribute 32:40 Strategic Thinking in Design Leadership 41:51 The Role of Strategic Thinking in Design 43:57 Defining Success in Design Projects 46:26 Managing Design Operations Effectively 49:33 Visioning and Leadership in Design 51:18 The Future of Design Operations 54:14 Investing in Design: Expected Outcomes 57:15 Building Advocacy for Design 01:01:04 Navigating the Future of Design in 2025

    1h 25m
  3. FEB 4

    Jacalin Ding: Want influence? Prove you understand the business, the market, and the bigger picture.

    In this episode of Beyond the Interface, Jacalin Ding shares her journey from designer to entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of business acumen for designers. She discusses the challenges of side hustles, the necessity of resilience, and the synergy between design and business. Jacalin also highlights the importance of understanding stakeholders, gaining a seat at the strategic table, and the qualities that make an A-player in design. She provides insights into networking, especially for introverted designers, and encourages broadening one's network. Links to Jacalin's channels:  https://subscribepage.io/5fnCLH Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacalinding/ Substack: https://substack.com/@jacalinding?utm_source=profile-page Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVUPHxnuMXrkgPobAA5wHKg Learn from Jacalin: 4 weeks Maven Course: "Strategic Design Career Accelerator" - 3 cohorts per year (Next cohort: FEB 28th)  10% OFF Course Code for Listeners: BeyondPodcast Self-paced course Launching SOON:  "Strategic Business Acumen for Designers"  Join waitlist now:  https://subscribepage.io/5fnCLH 00:00 Introduction to Jacqueline Ding and Her Journey 02:21 The Entrepreneurial Spark: From Designer to Business Owner 04:57 The Reality of Side Hustles and Entrepreneurship 07:19 Building Resilience Through Life Experiences 11:15 The Intersection of Design and Business Acumen 15:12 Understanding When to Invest in Design 19:13 The Importance of Strategic Thinking for Designers 24:40 Course Overview: Empowering Designers with Business Skills 30:20 Getting a Seat at the Table: Influence and Relationships 38:20 Maintaining Influence and Contribution in Business Strategy 42:13 The Essence of A-Players46:22Networking Beyond Events 54:16 Introverts in Design 59:20 The Future of Design: Strategy and Business Acumen 01:10:06 Making a Difference: Education and Empowerment

    1h 16m
  4. JAN 7

    Felix Lee: From a 19-year-old kid who got scammed to building a global movement in design mentorship

    In this episode of the Beyond the Interface podcast, we sit down with Felix Lee, Co-founder and CEO of ADPList, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Felix has reshaped how mentorship is accessed, creating a global platform that connects mentors and mentees from over 140 countries. Felix shares his unconventional journey from Singapore to Silicon Valley, detailing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He discusses the inception of ADPList during the pandemic as a response to the need for mentorship and support in the design community. Felix emphasizes the importance of leadership principles, hiring A-players, and maintaining a strong community. He also delves into his competitive mindset, the future aspirations for ADPList, and the significance of building a supportive network through ambassador programs.https://adplist.org/https://adplist.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixleezdChapters:00:00 Felix Lee's Journey: From Singapore to Startup Success09:10 The Power of Personal Branding on LinkedIn15:42 Guiding Principles for Building ADPList21:28 Hiring A-Players: The Key to Success29:41 The Impact of A-Players on Growth35:02 Can B-Players Become A-Players?40:33 The Role of Company Mission in Motivation49:50 Maintaining Mentor Engagement and Quality01:01:31 Ensuring Quality Among Mentors01:09:22 The Transformative Power of Mentorship01:19:36 Navigating Competition: A Contrarian Approach01:26:29 The Mentality of a Founder: Nature vs. Nurture01:37:26 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Projects

    1h 39m
  5. 11/19/2024

    Stephen Gates: Innovation slows when platforms bloat... Can Figma avoid Adobe's fate?

    In this episode of the Beyond the Interface podcast, Stephen Gates shares his extensive journey in the design industry, discussing his experiences from working with major brands like Apple and American Airlines to leading design teams and mentoring emerging designers. He emphasizes the importance of leadership evolution, the challenges faced in navigating corporate culture, and the role of design systems in fostering creativity. Stephen also delves into the significance of mentoring, the impact of layoffs on mental health, and the future of design in the age of AI. His insights provide valuable lessons for both aspiring and established designers. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stepdgat/  https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates https://thecrazy1.com/ https://crzydesign.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Stephen Gates and His Journey 03:37 Career Highlights and Key Projects 06:23 The Evolution of Leadership in Design 09:33 Navigating Leadership Challenges 12:26 The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership 15:33 Adapting to New Environments 18:29 Creating Organizational Change 21:20 Strategies for Overcoming Resistance 24:26 Final Thoughts and Advice for Designers 28:22 Challenging Mediocrity and Embracing Risk 30:35 Cultivating New Leaders in Design 34:40 Leadership Lessons from Sports and Culinary Arts 38:24 The Balance of Systems Thinking in Design 41:33 Navigating Design Systems: Flexibility vs. Rigidity 48:47 The Passion for Mentoring and Its Impact 58:54 The Power of Vulnerability and Self-Reflection 01:01:14 Navigating Job Loss and Redefining Success 01:05:35 Building a Supportive Community During Tough Times 01:10:32 Creating Accountability and Momentum 01:13:27 Lessons from InVision: The Importance of Adaptability 01:20:53 The Future of Design: Embracing Change and Creativity

    1h 28m

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.