Design Different

In this episode of Design Different, Jake dives deep into why truly effective design sometimes requires making decisions that aren't immediately popular. He explores why the most valuable insights are often the hardest to deliver, especially to founders who are emotionally invested in their products. Using real-world experiences and practical strategies, Jake reveals how embracing discomfort and navigating challenging conversations can transform user experience, boost business outcomes, and build lasting trust. This episode is for anyone committed to creating impactful, meaningful work—even when it means being temporarily unpopular.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/half-my-clients-hate-me/

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Hitting that quiet plateau where the work keeps rolling but the spark feels dim? In this episode, Jake dissects why mid-career designers and founders drift into creative inertia, and why the usual prescription of “work harder” only deepens the rut. He offers two practical escape routes: a mindset reset that helps you reclaim clarity, value, and purpose, and a systems upgrade that strips away repetitive drag so your best ideas rise to the surface. Packed with relatable stories and a daily three-step sequencing hack, this episode arms you with clear next moves to get momentum back on your side.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/creative-rut-designer-options/

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AI is rapidly swallowing up the repetitive parts of design work—wireframes, layout tweaks, content variants. So where does that leave you as a designer?

In this solo episode, Jake breaks down what design after AI really looks like, why pixel-pushing is no longer enough, and how to shift toward high-value roles like orchestration, systems thinking, and ethical design. He unpacks the emerging roles already commanding six-figure salaries, the mindset shifts that matter most, and how to build a personal roadmap that keeps you ahead of the curve.

Packed with practical examples, reflections from the frontlines, and a clear action plan you can start using today.

If you want to stay relevant, respected, and paid well as a designer, this is the episode for you.

Listen now and start steering your career—before someone else does.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/design-after-ai-designer-role-2030/

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Design is at a pivotal crossroads in 2025. AI is dramatically reshaping our tools, redefining our roles, and transforming our industry. In this deeply reflective and extensive episode, I'll explore in detail how designers can not only survive, but genuinely thrive, in the era of AI. We'll discuss preserving the essence of craft, cultivating critical judgement, and uncovering why the future belongs to designers who thoughtfully bridge technology, strategy, ethics, and human-centred design.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/articles/design-craft-ai-future/

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In this episode, I explore a big shift in how I think about design leadership. It's not just about having great taste or a strong creative vision. Those things matter, but they don't scale. What does? Building systems. Systems that help your team make great decisions, move with clarity, and carry your standards forward without you having to be involved in every detail. This is about the mindset shift that helps good design leaders become great.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/articles/design-leadership-systems-thinking/

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In this episode of Design Different, I talk with Matt Turnbull. A thoughtful product designer and former freelance colleague, Matt and I chat about about navigating change in the creative world. We explore the shifting landscape of design careers, the impact of AI on creative practice, and how to stay intentional about the work we say yes to. From Matt’s move into remote work and leadership to his reflections on curiosity, motivation, and human connection, it’s a grounded and honest look at how design (and designers) are evolving.

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In this episode, we unravel one of the biggest myths in design: that creativity means total freedom. Drawing on lessons from traditional graphic design, UX strategy, and two decades of real-world practice, we explore why structure, systems, and constraints are actually what unlock your best work. This is a must-listen for anyone stuck in the chaos of blank canvases, tool fatigue, or endless reinvention.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/creative-freedom-needs-systems/

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In this episode, we dig into a problem no one talks about enough: the lack of decision clarity in modern design teams. It’s not that we don’t collaborate. It’s that no one knows who’s making the final call. From rigid systems to endless feedback loops, we explore why design systems break, and how to fix them with decision logic, creative leadership, and user signals that actually matter.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/collaboration-vs-decision-making/

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Speed looks productive. It flatters the roadmap. It makes teams feel like they’re moving. But what if all that motion isn’t getting you anywhere?

In this episode, Jake unpacks the critical difference between speed and momentum in design. You’ll hear why fast workflows—especially when powered by AI—can create the illusion of progress while burying clarity, alignment, and long-term value. He shares what creative momentum really looks like, how to build it intentionally, and why slowing down (just a little) might be the smartest move your team makes this year.

For designers, founders, and product teams who are tired of the loop and ready to build something that lasts.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/design-speed-vs-momentum/

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Design can be the strongest growth lever in your business—if you know how to prove it. In this episode Jake breaks down the concrete framework he uses with founders to translate pixels into profit. You will learn the three lenses of design ROI, the exact metrics that convince finance, real case studies that moved seven-figure numbers, and a step-by-step guide to building your own live ROI dashboard. Stop defending design as a cost and start presenting it as the revenue engine it truly is.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/how-to-measure-design-roi/

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