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

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FAQs about Beyond The Interface (BTI):

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

The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.

Beyond The Interface (BTI) episodes:

October 29, 2024 Ube Urban: You’re only bringing 10% of your true self to work...
In this conversation, Ube Urban shares his extensive journey into the design world, discussing his academic background in industrial design and computer engineering and how these experiences shaped his career. He reflects on the challenges faced in agency life, including navigating client relationships and internal politics. Ube emphasizes the importance of authenticity in the workplace, particularly for individuals from diverse backgrounds, and how this impacts their professional identity. He also introduces his entrepreneurial venture, Ube's Ice Cream Shop, as a representation of his creative expression, personal values, and the learnings he took when running this business.

Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ubeurban/
https://www.ubeurban.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Ube's Journey into Design
09:05 Navigating Agency Life and Client Relationships
22:25 Authenticity in the Workplace
43:43 Ube's Ice Cream Shop: A New Venture
48:25 The Essence of Authenticity in Art
51:43 Creating a Personalized Design Framework
55:08 The Journey of Customization and Client Interaction
57:39 Bridging Personalization in Digital Experiences
01:01:45 The Importance of Hyper-Empathy in Leadership
01:12:59 Navigating Tough Leadership Decisions
01:19:40 Learning from Pain: The Path to Authentic Leadership
...more
1h 32min
October 22, 2024Amanda Cano: Innovation doesn't need permission, just get it done!
Summary
In this conversation, Amanda shares her extensive journey in the design and tech industry, discussing her experiences in contracting, transitioning to in-house roles, and her current position in the banking sector. She emphasizes the importance of a learning mindset, user testing, and stakeholder engagement in design processes. Amanda also talks about building an innovation hub and the future of design in the context of AI and evolving roles within the industry.

Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cano-252bb03/

Takeaways
Amanda has been in the tech industry since the early days of the web.

Contracting offers a fast-paced learning environment compared to in-house roles.

Transitioning to banking required Amanda to adapt quickly to a new industry.

User testing is crucial for understanding customer needs and improving design.

Involving stakeholders in the design process helps change perceptions of design.

Building an innovation hub can significantly impact an organization's design capabilities.

AI is set to change the design landscape, but the role of designers will remain essential.

A T-shaped skill set is important for designers to be effective in their roles.

Regular communication and team meetings help maintain a strong design culture.

Quality in design is paramount, and leaders must balance detail with trust in their teams.

Chapters
00:00 Amanda's Journey in Design and Tech
09:57 Contracting vs. In-House: Insights and Experiences
18:37 Transitioning to Banking: Challenges and Learnings
26:58 The Importance of User Testing and Stakeholder Engagement
35:22 Building an Innovation Hub: Strategies and Impact
43:40 The Future of Design: AI and Evolving Roles
...more
1h 28min
October 15, 2024Katral-Nada Hassan: Building strong relationships with the C-suite... It's non-negotiable.
In this conversation, Nada shares her extensive journey in design, spanning over 15 years, highlighting her transition from consulting to in-house roles. She discusses the evolving landscape of design, the importance of building partnerships within organizations, and the need for designers to take on more strategic roles. Nada emphasizes the significance of community building in the design space, particularly in the Middle East, and the essential skills for leadership, including empathy and a growth mindset. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by product managers and the continuous cycle of maintaining high-performing teams.

Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katral/
https://design.alraedahdigital.sa/

Takeaways
Nada's career began as an information architect, showcasing the evolution of design roles.

The importance of outcomes in defining a designer's role.

Problem-solving is a key skill for designers.

The shift towards in-house product teams is changing the consulting landscape.

Building partnerships within organizations is crucial for design success.

Designers must maintain their 'design soul' even in squad models.

Community building is essential for the growth of the design field.

Empathy and growth mindset are vital for effective leadership.

High-performing teams require continuous effort to maintain.

Not all designers need to transition into leadership roles; growth can occur in various forms.

Chapters
00:00 Journey into Design: A 15-Year Odyssey
05:01 Consulting vs. In-House: The Designer's Dilemma
09:58 Building Partnerships: The Key to Successful Design Teams
15:02 Squad Models: Balancing Integration and Design Soul
19:49 Design Thinking Workshops: Bridging Gaps Across Departments
24:56 Community Building: Elevating Design in the Region
30:12 The Future of Design: Strategy and Leadership
34:57 Navigating Relationships: The Role of Design Leaders
39:48 Empathy and Growth: Essential Skills for Leadership
44:47 The Continuous Cycle of High-Performing Teams
50:09 The Role of PMs: Redefining Responsibilities in Design
55:05 Personal Projects and Future Aspirations
...more
1h 16min
October 08, 2024Batsirai Madzonga: Being African isn't a limitation—it's what makes me special.
Batsi shares his career journey, which started with founding a design studio in Zimbabwe and eventually led him to his current role as a design leader. He emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and leveraging cultural values in design. He discusses the concept of the Ubuntu Framework and how it can shape design and leadership. Batsi also shares his approach to hiring, focusing on mindset and authenticity. He highlights the need for a fair and value-driven recruitment process. In this conversation, Batsirai Madzonga discusses the importance of cultural diversity and representation in design, the challenges young designers face, and the power of social media in shaping the design industry. They also talk about Batsirai's personal projects, including creating children's books celebrating African culture and developing the Sankofa typeface in collaboration with Google. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of design and the potential impact of AI and human connection.
https://madzonga.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/batsi/
Ubuntu Framework: https://a.co/d/4wBZvN7
Sankofa font: https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Sankofa+Display
Batsi's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C1DMH223

Takeaways
Building a personal brand and leveraging cultural values can enhance your career journey and bring a unique perspective to design.

Ubuntu, a concept rooted in African culture, emphasizes humaneness and community, which can shape design and leadership practices.

When hiring, focus on mindset and authenticity, and create a recruitment process that provides value to both the candidate and the organization.

Exploitation in design recruitment can be a problem, and it's important to find a balance between assessing skills and respecting the candidate's time and effort.

Diversity in teams, including different cultural backgrounds and perspectives, can spark creativity and innovation. Cultural diversity and representation are crucial in design to ensure a more inclusive and authentic creative industry.

Young designers may be more vulnerable to exploitation due to their lack of industry experience, and it is important for design leaders to speak out against unethical practices.

Personal projects can be a powerful way to address personal needs and make a positive impact in the world.

Social media can be a valuable platform for sharing perspectives, building a personal brand, and inspiring others.

The future of design is uncertain due to the exponential growth of AI, but the focus on human connection and leveraging cultural backgrounds can help designers navigate and adapt to the changing landscape.

Chapters
00:00 Batzy's Career Journey
08:12 Leveraging Cultural Values
15:28 The Ubuntu Framework
19:14 Mindset and Authenticity in Hiring
27:29 The Power of Diversity in Teams
43:09 Addressing Exploitation in Design Recruitment
54:33 Cultural Diversity and Representation in Design
55:00 Challenges Faced by Young Designers
57:30 The Power of Social Media in Shaping the Design Industry
59:21 Personal Projects: Celebrating African Culture and Making a Positive Impact
01:12:38 The Future of Design: AI and Human Connection
...more
1h 36min
October 01, 2024Parminder Mann: Not just Product Managers, everyone has a part to play in product development!
Parminder shares his journey from working in a corner shop to becoming a VP of Product and Design at Africa's biggest FinTech. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity, communication, and prioritization in building successful products. Also, he discusses the need for open and direct communication in teams and how he encourages others to adopt this approach. He highlights the value of structuring communications, the power of following up with outputs, and collaborating effectively with executive stakeholders. Parminder advises aspiring leaders to create a development plan focused on personal growth and leverage their team members' expertise. Parminder shares his insights on developing as a leader in product and emphasizes the importance of focusing on just a few critical areas for improvement at a time to level up. He also discusses the value of feedback from colleagues and family members for faster growth and the benefits of reading books in navigating the leadership transitions at different stages of his career. Parminder highlights the need for adaptability in leadership, especially in remote work settings, and the challenges of managing product and design teams. The conversation also touches on the conflict between designers and product managers and the importance of demonstrating the value of design to stakeholders. In this conversation, Parminder discusses the role of product management and design in the tech industry. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the diverse skill sets needed in product development. Parminder also explores the evolving nature of product management and the impact of big technologies like AI and machine learning. He advises individuals entering the field to choose their craft, be collaborative, and focus on fundamentals like communication and organization.

Takeaways
Curiosity and a passion for adding value and making an impact are vital traits for success in product management.

Effective verbal and written communication is crucial for building successful products and collaborating with colleagues.

Prioritization and a focus on user experience are essential in product management.

Building a culture of open and direct communication can inspire and motivate teams.

Creating a personal development plan and leveraging the expertise of team members are essential for aspiring leaders. Develop a development plan and focus on a few critical areas for improvement as a leader.

Seek feedback from colleagues and family members to gain insights and identify areas for growth.

Read books on leadership that are relevant to your current career stage.
Demonstrate the value of design by showing the work and involving stakeholders in the process. Product management and design require collaboration and diverse skill sets.

The role of product management has evolved over time, and there is ongoing debate about its value and relationship with other roles.

AI and machine learning will impact the future of product management, particularly in areas like customer experience and innovation.

Individuals entering the field should choose their craft, be collaborative, and focus on fundamentals like communication and organization.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background
05:12
The Power of Curiosity and Communication
11:44
Prioritization and User Experience
18:31
Building a Culture of Open Communication
23:40
Creating a Personal Development Plan
33:17
Developing as a Leader: Creating a Development Plan
35:19
Seeking Feedback: Insights from Colleagues and Family
37:42
The Value of Reading: Books on Leadership
45:29
Adapting to Remote Work: Challenges and Strategies
49:59
Managing Product and Design Teams: Hiring and Collaboration
56:28
Demonstrating the Value of Design: Showing the Work
01:01:27
The Importance of Collaboration and Diverse Skill Sets
01:04:23
The Evolving Role of Product Management
01:08:09
The Impact of AI and Machine Learning
01:17:24
Advice for Individuals Entering the Field
...more
1h 20min
September 24, 2024Dr. Gyles Morrison: Saving lives with UX Design!
Dr. Gyles Morrison shares his career journey in clinical UX and the importance of combining medical knowledge with UX skills. He emphasizes the need for a strong foundation in formal education and self-directed learning, as well as the value of mentors and real work experience. Dr. Morrison discusses the challenges of leadership in the healthcare industry and the impact it has on the success of digital health startups. He also explains the unique characteristics and skills required for clinical UX, including a genuine interest in helping people and a scientific mindset. Dr. Gyles Morrison discusses the importance of research in clinical UX and the challenges faced in the healthcare industry. He emphasizes the need for collaboration between UX professionals and clinicians to ensure the best outcomes for patients. Dr. Morrison also highlights the role of the Clinical UX Association (CUXA) in building a community, providing training, and advocating for change in the industry. He expresses concerns about the overreliance on AI in design and the potential impact on the role of designers in the future.

Takeaways
Combining medical knowledge with UX skills can lead to a successful career in clinical UX.

A strong foundation in formal education and self-directed learning is crucial for developing expertise in the field.

Mentors and real work experience are valuable for gaining insights and improving skills.

Leadership plays a significant role in the success of digital health startups and the overall healthcare industry.

Clinical UX requires unique characteristics and skills, including a genuine interest in helping people and a scientific mindset. Collaboration between UX professionals and clinicians is crucial in creating effective digital solutions in healthcare.

The Clinical UX Association (CUXA) aims to build a community, provide training, and advocate for change in the industry.

There is a need for more research in digital healthcare solutions to ensure patient safety and improve outcomes.

The overreliance on AI in design may have negative consequences and should be approached with caution.

Designers should focus on the unique skills and creativity they bring to the table and continue to advocate for the importance of human-centered design.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Career Journey

09:25 The Importance of Mentors and Leadership

16:30 The Role of Failure in Clinical UX

28:18 Challenges in Hiring for Clinical UX

31:51 Understanding Clinical UX

42:07 Collaboration in Clinical UX

44:02 The Danger of Assuming User Understanding

47:34 The Importance of Research in Digital Solutions

49:25 Similar Challenges in Different Fields

52:20 Advocating for Change in Healthcare

54:42 Mentorship and Networking in Clinical UX

56:36 Navigating Conflict and Pushing for Research

01:10:38 The Risk of Overreliance on AI in Design

01:13:46 The Importance of Human Design Skills
...more
1h 21min
September 17, 2024Jonathan Steingeisser: The shocking truth about UX Designers! Designers DON'T know who they are...
In this conversation, Jonathan shares his journey from Australia to becoming the Head of Design for multiple organisations, discussing the evolution of UX in the Middle East and the challenges faced in research and acceptance. He emphasises the importance of shifting mindsets from execution to strategy, building trust, and the value of adaptability in design processes. The discussion also touches on work-life balance, the significance of community in design, and the future of design leadership, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary roles and the importance of storytelling in the design field.

Takeaways
Jonathan's journey to Dubai was unexpected but rewarding.

The UX field in the Middle East is still evolving.

Research in UX is often misunderstood and undervalued.

Designers need to shift from execution to strategic thinking.

Building trust with stakeholders is crucial for UX success.

Adaptability in design processes is essential for success.

Work-life balance is a growing concern in the design industry.

Community plays a vital role in the growth of designers.

The future of design will require interdisciplinary skills.

Leadership in design must evolve to meet new challenges.

Chapters
00:00 The Journey to Dubai: Introducing UX in an Unfamiliar Region

04:01 The Power of Usability Testing: Understanding User Behaviour

06:21 Going Beyond the Swim Lane: Understanding the Business and Product

11:20 Adapting and Evolving in a Saturated Design Industry

16:55 Focusing on Value and the Language of the Business

30:41 Defining Roles and Establishing Industry Standards

36:41 Building a Community: The Journey of HCD Meetup

49:41 Tips for Starting and Growing a Community

53:54 The Challenges and Rewards of Public Speaking

01:05:46 The Impact of the Pandemic on Events and the Shift to Online Platforms

01:08:59 The Value of Recording Talks and Building a Knowledge Library

01:10:38 Giving Opportunities to New Speakers and Fostering Growth

01:16:43 The Power of Mentorship and Tough Love

01:18:52 The Importance of Community and Networking

01:23:38 The Future of Design: Interdisciplinary Teams and Evolving Roles

01:26:16 Challenges and Importance of Design Leadership

Keywords UX design, Dubai, user experience, design community, leadership, service design, design research, design processes, work-life balance, design trends
...more
1h 30min

FAQs about Beyond The Interface (BTI):

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

The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.