Uncut Design

Thomas Emnetu
  • 5.0 (1)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

During my time as a UX Design intern at Microsoft, I've had the privilege of engaging in 60+ one-on-one conversations with leaders in UX. This podcast distills their wisdom, experiences, and strategies into actionable advice for early in career designers. I hope this can serve as a resource to democratize key strategies for success in design. Join me as we uncover a unique perspective that’s rarely shared. Whether you're a seasoned professional, or looking to break into the industry, Uncut Design provides the perspective and inspiration you need to elevate your design journey.

Episodes

  1. Building High-Impact Teams

    06/03/2025

    Building High-Impact Teams

    In this episode, I sit down with Craig Fox, a renowned leader, mentor, and design director at Microsoft, to uncover what it takes to build and sustain high-impact teams. Drawing from his wealth of experience managing both managers and IC's, Craig shares life lessons on fostering innovation, resilience, and growth within fast-paced organizations. I learned so much about his leadership style and the practical strategies he uses to inspire teams to bring their best selves to work every day. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or looking to elevate your team’s performance, Craig’s insights offer a masterclass in building cultures of excellence and trust.

    1h 1m
  2. Good Design = Inclusive Design

    05/12/2025

    Good Design = Inclusive Design

    What does it really mean to design for everyone? In this episode, I sit down with Doug Kim and Anna Cook—two leaders at Microsoft—to talk about what inclusive design looks like in practice. We dig into why accessibility isn’t just a checkbox before development, how diverse teams shape better products, and the real challenges designers face when things get messy. Doug shares lessons from his time guiding cloud design, and Anna brings a fresh perspective on building for impact. Whether you’re new to design or deep in the trenches, you’ll walk away with new ideas that you can start applying right now.

    1h 32m
  3. Human-Centered Connections: How Great Design Starts With Relationships

    03/31/2025

    Human-Centered Connections: How Great Design Starts With Relationships

    To kick off Season 2 of Uncut Design, I sat down with Matt Shelton, Principal UX Content Designer at Microsoft, for a heartfelt conversation about the importance of building genuine relationships in tech. Matt shares how leading with kindness, empathy, and authenticity has helped him build real connections across teams. These relationships aren’t just valuable during challenges—they shape everyday collaboration and make it easier to navigate feedback, design critiques, and even major career shifts. This episode is a reminder that design is about people—and the relationships we cultivate along the way are what truly shape our careers.

    1h 4m
  4. Navigating Corporate Design: Resilience & Overcoming Challenges

    11/18/2024

    Navigating Corporate Design: Resilience & Overcoming Challenges

    In this episode of Uncut Design, we sit down with Joe Hallock, Partner Design Director in the Azure Cloud Experiences Studio at Microsoft. Joe shares his unique journey into design, as well as his experience advocating for design decisions, navigating pushback from leadership, turning setbacks into opportunities, and so much more! This episode is particularly valuable for those new to designing at a big tech company, offering a candid look at the day-to-day challenges and strategies for thriving in a corporate environment.

    1h 13m
  5. How to Break Into Big Tech: Strategies for Landing an Internship

    10/28/2024

    How to Break Into Big Tech: Strategies for Landing an Internship

    In this episode of Uncut Design, Lennon Macharia, a senior at the University of Minnesota and recent Microsoft UX intern, shares the secrets which helped him secure internships at multiple big tech companies. We discuss his journey, key steps in interview prep, essential skills to stand out, as well as the culture and day-to-day experience of a design intern at Microsoft. Lennon also gives tips on having building a personal brand, having real-world impact, and making the most of professional growth opportunities. If you're looking to land an internship, this episode has exactly what you need!

    53 min
  6. Leading Without Authority: Becoming an Influential Designer

    10/14/2024

    Leading Without Authority: Becoming an Influential Designer

    In this episode of Uncut Design, we sit down with Jennifer Han, Design Program Manager at Microsoft’s Azure Cloud Experiences Studio. Jennifer shares her strategies for leading without a formal leadership title, discussing how to influence teams, navigate resistance, and foster ownership among team members. This episode is especially valuable for early-career designers looking to grow and differentiate themselves. Jennifer offers practical advice on how to build influence and drive impactful work, even without an official leadership position. Her insights provide a roadmap for standing out and making a lasting impact, no matter where you are in your career journey.

    1 hr
  7. Design as a Business Strategy: Driving Impact Beyond Aesthetics

    09/16/2024

    Design as a Business Strategy: Driving Impact Beyond Aesthetics

    In this episode of Uncut Design, we sit down with Lance Garcia, Principal Design Manager at Microsoft, to explore how design can drive business impact beyond aesthetics. We discuss how to integrate design thinking into business strategy, making design decisions that deliver measurable value, and the lessons Lance learned while designing experiences overseas in Japan. Whether you're a generalist or a specialist, this conversation sheds light on how to balance innovation with business goals, particularly in the context of AI and cloud computing.

    1h 14m
  8. Storytelling That Sells: The Power of Narratives in Design

    09/08/2024

    Storytelling That Sells: The Power of Narratives in Design

    In this episode of Uncut Design, we dive into the power of storytelling in design with insights from Samantha Neufeld and Anuja Singhal, two leaders shaping AI-driven experiences at Microsoft. We discuss how to tailor narratives for different audiences, build trust within teams, and balance user needs with business goals—all while navigating the rapidly evolving world of AI and technology.

    1h 17m
  • 8 Episodes

About

During my time as a UX Design intern at Microsoft, I've had the privilege of engaging in 60+ one-on-one conversations with leaders in UX. This podcast distills their wisdom, experiences, and strategies into actionable advice for early in career designers. I hope this can serve as a resource to democratize key strategies for success in design. Join me as we uncover a unique perspective that’s rarely shared. Whether you're a seasoned professional, or looking to break into the industry, Uncut Design provides the perspective and inspiration you need to elevate your design journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Emnetu
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Thomas Emnetu
  • Show Website
    Uncut Design