Beyond The Interface (BTI)

By 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-... more

· Technology

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Beyond The Interface (BTI):

How many episodes does Beyond The Interface (BTI) have?

The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.

Beyond The Interface (BTI) episodes:

March 31, 2026Ana Sofia Gonzalez: From UI to AI… Why Designers Must Evolve or Get Left Behind
In this episode of Beyond The Interface, we sit down with Ana Sofia Gonzalez, Principal Product Designer at Microsoft, to unpack how AI is fundamentally reshaping the role of designers.
From leading innovation across Copilot Studio to navigating ambiguity at scale, Ana shares what it really means to operate at a principal level, where design is less about screens and more about strategy, ownership, and business impact.
We explore the shift from “designing interfaces” to designing systems, outputs, and AI-driven experiences, and why designers must evolve beyond craft to stay relevant.

🚀 In this episode, we cover:
What separates a Principal Product Designer from the rest
Why ownership & proactive thinking are the real differentiators
The rise of the “player-coach” designer in modern teams
How AI is changing workflows, roles, and expectations
Why designers need to think in ROI, metrics, and business impact
The future of UI: Are we moving beyond interfaces entirely?
What happens to junior vs senior designers in an AI-first world
How to influence stakeholders and drive change without authority

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background of Anna-Sophia
03:07 Role of a Principal Product Designer
05:47 The Evolving Role of Designers
09:13 Ownership and Accountability in Design
11:56 The Impact of AI on Design Processes
15:00 Collaboration and Team Dynamics
18:04 Strategic Thinking and Long-term Vision
21:11 Measuring Success and ROI in Design
23:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
31:52 Seeing Ideas Through: The Importance of Follow-Up
34:25 Navigating Remote Work: Cultural Shifts and Communication
36:08 Influencing Ideas: The Art of Persuasion in Design
39:37 Embracing a Fail-Fast Culture: Innovation and Openness
41:43 The Future of Design: AI as the New Interface
44:26 Strategic Thinking: The Evolving Role of Designers
47:13 The Junior Designer Dilemma: Training the Next Generation
50:37 Adapting to Change: The Rise of AI in Design
52:14 Customer-Centric Innovation: Balancing Speed and Quality
58:51 Originality vs. Competition: Finding Unique Solutions
...more
1h 5min
March 17, 2026Harry & 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 UAE
Why junior designers are struggling in today’s market
How to craft a portfolio that stands out
What makes a strong design CV
Job search strategies that actually work
The lack of mature design leadership in the region
How 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
...more
1h 12min
March 03, 2026Dr. 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
...more
1h 18min
February 17, 2026Qaalfa 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
...more
39min
January 27, 2026Matt 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
...more
1h 22min
January 20, 2026 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

...more
1h 7min
January 06, 2026 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

...more
1h 1min
December 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

...more
1h 19min
November 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

...more
1h 3min
November 11, 2025Jarvis Moore: True Creativity Thrives on Structure, the Power of Design Systems
Summary
In this episode, Jarvis Moore (Design Systems: LinkedIn & Microsoft) discusses the intricacies of design systems, sharing his journey from graphic design to specializing in this niche. He emphasizes the importance of understanding design systems, the roles of designers and developers, and the balance between flexibility and rigidity. The conversation also covers the significance of collaboration, governance, and measuring success in design systems, as well as the impact of AI on the future of design. Jarvis provides insights on how to get started with design systems, the importance of creativity within constraints, and the challenges of managing design debt.

Takeaways
Design systems are essential for cohesive product development.
Creativity can flourish within the structure of design systems.
Governance is crucial for maintaining a successful design system.
Design debt can accumulate if not managed properly.
AI has the potential to assist in managing design systems.
Collaboration between teams enhances the effectiveness of design systems.
Flexibility and rigidity must be balanced in design systems.
Getting leadership buy-in is vital for design system success.
Insight into the design landscape is key for governance.
The journey into design systems is unique for each individual.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Design Systems and Jarvis Moore's Journey
02:59 Understanding Design Systems: Misconceptions and Realities
05:46 Defining a Design System: Foundations and Flexibility
08:54 Getting Started with Design Systems: Initial Steps and Champions
12:02 The Role of Developers and Designers in Design Systems
14:57 Balancing Creativity and Structure in Design Systems1
7:46 Processes and Collaboration in Design Systems
20:52 Building a Centralized vs. Decentralized Design System Team
23:54 The Importance of Embedded Engineers in Design Systems
26:49 Convincing Leadership: The Business Case for Design Systems
29:43 The Future of Design Systems: Headless Systems and Design Tokens
44:31 The Importance of Design Tokens
47:43 AI and Design Systems: A New Era
50:17 Automating Design Processes with AI
55:39 Navigating Design Debt in Systems
58:41 Governance in Design Systems
01:05:36 Measuring the Success of Design Systems

Links to Jarvis’ Interaction Design Foundation Courses
DESIGN SYSTEMS BLUEPRINT

AI FOR DESIGN SYSTEMS: HOW TO STAY AHEAD AND LEAD
...more
1h 12min

FAQs about Beyond The Interface (BTI):

How many episodes does Beyond The Interface (BTI) have?

The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.