Most design systems launch in a blaze of excitement, then fade into cluttered folders and copy-pasted code. In this episode of Design Different I explain why that slow decay happens, how to run a design system as a living product, and what founders, designers, and developers can do to keep it breathing. Expect practical tactics, real-world stories, and a checklist you can act on tomorrow to turn pixel-perfect libraries into business-critical infrastructure.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/anatomy-of-a-design-system/

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Designers are brilliant at starting things, but finishing? That’s where everything stalls. In this episode, Jake unpacks why so many creative projects die unfinished, and what indie hackers get right about momentum, mindset, and leverage. If you’ve ever felt stuck in loops of perfectionism or struggled to ship your own work, this one’s for you. Learn how to close loops, create small wins, and start building real freedom with your skills.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/what-designers-can-learn-from-indie-hackers/

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Why do great designers struggle to sell themselves, and why do polished brands fall apart the moment they go online? In this episode, we explore the deeper systems failure at the heart of both problems. Whether you’re a founder watching your brand unravel in the wild, or a designer whose work isn’t landing with clients, this episode is your wake-up call. Learn how to bridge the gap between vision and execution, why clarity matters more than cleverness, and what it really takes to build a brand that works everywhere it lives.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/brand-doesnt-work-online/

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Creative work often feels chaotic, and design systems often get mistaken for rigid templates. In this episode, we explore what’s really behind the friction, and how the right systems can transform not just your workflow but your entire creative experience. For designers, founders, and anyone building something meaningful: this one’s for you.

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

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Design isn’t about visuals, and strategy isn’t a deliverable. In this special episode, we explore how thinking like a designer and making strategy a core leadership practice helps founders, creative leaders, and teams create clarity, alignment, and stronger outcomes. From common misconceptions to practical shifts in mindset, this is how design thinking transforms the way you lead.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/thinking-like-a-designer/

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Design isn't just about how something looks — it's about what it enables. In this episode, we unpack why clarity is the most undervalued skill in modern design and explore how real design impact is measured in outcomes, not visuals. If you've ever questioned whether your work is actually working, this one's for you.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/why-clarity-wins-in-modern-design/

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Most designers focus on the screen in front of them. Great designers focus on the flow between them. In this episode, we unpack why designing in sequences — not just snapshots — separates real experience design from surface-level work. And I’ll share a moment from my own career where I learned that lesson the hard way.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/thinking-in-sequences-not-screens/

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There’s a persistent myth in the design industry that success depends on being relentlessly original. In this episode, we challenge that belief and explore why the most successful designers are often the most consistent — not the most inventive. This is a conversation about creative maturity, structure, and building a career that’s sustainable, not performative.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/success-in-design-without-originality/

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Usability makes something easy to use. But habit is what brings people back. In this episode, we go beyond clicks and clean UI to explore how designers can align with real human behaviour. Learn how to build meaningful, repeatable experiences that become part of people’s lives.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/designing-for-human-habits/

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Design systems aren’t just for big teams. In this episode, we break down how solo designers can build lightweight, practical systems that save time, reduce errors, and bring structure to their work. If you’re tired of reinventing the wheel on every project, this one’s for you.

Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/build-your-first-design-system/

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