Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)

#046 - How we feel has a direct impact on our creativity and confidence. However, we don’t openly talk about our mental health at work. 

In this episode, I speak to my friend Rob Armes who’s a design leader and founder of the UX consultancy, Circular UX. Rob opens up on his mental health struggles, including periods of psychosis and suicidal thoughts. And even after recovering and returning back to work, he experienced severe imposter syndrome. 

Rob shares how he got back on his feet and took back control of his life and career, which includes starting his own consultancy. Rob also shares his advice on freelancing and growing beyond your comfort zone in your career.

Shownotes

Connect with Rob Armes

https://robarmes.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robarmes/

Being Brilliant by Andy Cope

Nielsen Norman Group

How you can get into UX contracting and freelancing | by Rob Armes (He/Him) | Nov, 2023 | Bootcamp

Mental health support links

Overview - Psychosis - NHS

Contact Us | Samaritans

Contact us | Mind


Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

#045 - Do you take personal responsibility for things that don’t go according in your plan in your organisation? Do you try to control the outcome and burn yourself out in the process? What if you could let go of all that?

In this episode, I speak to Charles-Louise de Maere who’s an expert facilitator helping organisations with collaborative thinking, storytelling and visual thinking. Charles-Louis shares some amazing facilitation techniques that’ll enable you transform your sense of personal responsibility into a collective one within your organisation. He also talks about “Kishōtenketsu”, an Asian storytelling framework which is not based on a conflict, like the “hero’s journey” is. Charles-Louise also shares tips on how you can use visual thinking to collaborate, regardless of your sketching abilities.

Shownotes

Attend the end of year retro for designers and changemakers

https://www.designfeeling.co/retro

Connect with Charles-Louise de Maere

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleslouisdemaere/

Learn Kishōtenketsu with Charles-Louis

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/explorationlabssrl/758666?

World cafe method of facilitation

https://www.fsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/World-Cafe-Method_0.pdf

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

Designers, you’ve been sold a lie. You’ve been told you need to work harder, do more with less and prove your value. You’ve done all that but it’s left you frustrated, misaligned and burnt out.

In this episode, Sara Wachter-Boettcher lifts the lid on the bottled up feelings so many designers have right now. Sara digs into the roots of where these (often well intended) messages are coming from and how you can manage them, putting your own needs and well-being first. Sara shares valuable advice to help to reframe your definition of success and your own value and reclaim agency of your work and career trajectory.

Sara is a CEO of Active Voice where she helps people in tech and design become bold leaders by helping them understand themselves first. Sara was a content and UX consultant on responsible and inclusive design and she’s also the author of three books - Design for Real Life (with Eric Meyer), Content Everywhere and Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech.

Shownotes

Sara on Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraboettcher/

Sign up for the newsletter to learn about upcoming 2024 programs

https://www.activevoicehq.com 

Attend Sara’s “Reclaim your power” workshop on 8th December 1-4pm ET (pay what you wish)

https://www.activevoicehq.com/reclaim-your-power

Hey designers, they’re gaslighting you.

https://medium.com/nice-work-from-active-voice/hey-designers-theyre-gaslighting-you-e02e5a4d9cff

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

#042 - Join us in an insightful discussion with Boon Chew, a principal UX designer at Elsevier and a former board member at the London chapter of the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). Dive into the world of systems thinking as we explore how designers can utilise it to comprehend the larger systems they're designing for. From understanding our intrinsic cognitive systems to fostering empathy through awareness, Boon shares that systems thinking not only enhances our design perspective but also deepens our understanding of ourselves and others.

Shownotes

Boon Chew on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/boonyewchew/

Causal loop diagram

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causal_loop_diagram

The Systems Thinker

https://thesystemsthinker.com/

Systems Innovation Network

https://www.systemsinnovation.network/

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

#042 - You need to be good at everything - that’s the narrative we’re sold from pretty early on. The industry celebrates unicorns, magical beings who can do almost anything. However, we all have strengths that are unique to each one of us and trying to use our lesser strengths can drain our energy, making it difficult for us to get into a state of flow and impacting our wellbeing.

In this episode, I speak with Kate Berry, Instructor Manager at General Assembly and my strengths coach. Kate unravels the secrets to understanding and harnessing our innate abilities through strengths profiles. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome or seeking a deeper connection to your work and the people you work with, Kate will help you discover of the power of being great at less things instead of trying be good at everything.

Shownotes

Connect with Kate Berry on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-berry-/

Strengths and Wellbeing: Regaining Balance When Life Changes

https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/250214/strengths-wellbeing-regaining-balance-life-changes.aspx

CliftonStrengths profile

https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx

Cappfinity Strengths Profile

https://www.strengthsprofile.com/

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

#041 - Join us in this enlightening episode with Saskia Listle, a digital humanist and founder of the Academy of Future Skills, which is a community of learning practice, a think-tank and a consultancy on the Future of our Skills. Dive deep into the value of transversal skills and why they offer a sense of purpose that hard skills can't. We'll explore the concepts of T-shaped vs V-shaped employees, the power of curiosity in shaping one's professional path, and the potential pitfalls of an unchecked growth mindset. Saskia also reveals her top 3 skills, which have been instrumental in her journey.

Shownotes

Connect with Saskia

https://www.linkedin.com/in/saskia-listle/

Academy of Future Skills

https://academyfutureskills.com/

Listen to Nirish on self-awareness as a skill on Saskia’s podcast, Conversations with My Future Skills

https://academyfutureskills.com/nirish-shakya-selfawareness/

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

#040 - In a world driven by rapid growth, how do you stay connected to one’s inner compass and lead with intention, kindness and ethics? Join us for a candid chat with my good friend, Katja Forbes. Recognised as one of top 50 Australian professionals, Top 10 Women Disrupters and as one of Westpac/Australian Financial Review's '100 Women of Influence', Katja shares her learnings and wisdom from an illustrious career as a designer, design leader and entrepreneur.

In this episode:

• Managing your inner critic
• How to make it easier for people to give you useful feedback
• The highs and lows of running your own company
• Ethical navigation in the digital realm
• Knowing and sticking to your values
• and much more!

Shownotes

Connect with Katja

katjaforbes.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katjaforbes/

https://www.instagram.com/katjaforbes/

From Purpose to Impact by Nick Craig and Scott A. Snook

https://hbr.org/2014/05/from-purpose-to-impact

Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22529127-team-of-teams

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

#039 - Welcome to Season 4 of the Design Feeling Podcast!

We kick off the new season with an inspiring conversation with Rizwan Javaid, a seasoned human-centred designer from San Francisco and the creator of the Low Fidelity Newsletter and Unleash Your Mindset Podcast.

Rizwan opens up about his struggles with fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome, and shares how he overcame these challenges through the deliberate practice of mindsets and mindfulness.


Free UXConf ticket giveaway!

Win a free virtual ticket worth £114 to attend the UX Conf conference on Wednesday 13th September. All you have to do is subscribe to this podcast and email Nirish at [email protected] for your chance to win.

Get 10% on the UXConf conference tickets for 13th September in the Southbank Centre in London

Use the discount code DESIGNFEELINGPODCAST10 at theuxconf.com

Free guide for Design Feeling listeners: Learn Three Powerful Mindsets to Boost Your Design Confidence and Unlock Your Potential

https://lowfidelity1.gumroad.com/l/3-Mindsets-For-Design-Confidence/designfeeling

Read the Low Fidelity newsletter

http://www.lowfidelity.io

Listen to the Unleash Your Mindset! Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/3HsPZQvloxImIit74IWEFf

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

#038 - For the final episode of Season 3, join us in this inspiring conversation with Jenna Maudlin, a multi-award-winning designer and advocate for social good. 

Jenna is currently working with Apart of Me, a charity empowering children and young people to cope with loss and trauma. Jenna shares her journey of following her heart as a designer to teaching design thinking to young minds. We also discuss co-designing with children and young people as therapeutic intervention. Jenna also puts a call out for you to get involved with her exciting projects she’s working on. 

In this episode:

• Co-designing with children and young people
• Following your heart when the time is right
• The importance of lived experiences
• Knowing your superpowers
• And much more!

Shownotes

Connect with Jenna on Linkedin and get involved her projects

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-maudlin-61490713/

Check out Apart of Me game and Nadiya app. They’re free!

www.apartofme.app

Jenna’s favourite resources

Business Model Generation

https://www.strategyzer.com/books/business-model-generation

This is Service Design Thinking

https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Service-Design-Thinking-Basics/dp/906369279X

Creative Confidence

https://www.creativeconfidence.com/

Jenna in the news

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/computer-suit-takes-guilt-out-of-childrens-tv-cgn9dcjnf

https://www.forbes.com/sites/roddyclarke/2019/07/26/uk-graduates-draw-attention-to-global-issues-with-purpose-driven-designs/

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco

#037 - In this podcast episode, host Nirish Shakya has a heart-to-heart conversation with three of his UX design students from General Assembly, Junying Lim, Sarah Willet, and Freddie Grzybowski. They discuss the nuances of becoming a competent designer beyond just the methods and tools learned in a boot camp. They delve into personal and professional journeys that shape a designer's perspectives and approach to design.

Key topics discussed:

• The courage it takes to embrace the unknown and the discomfort that comes with learning something new
• The importance of personal experiences and perspectives in shaping a designer
• Why knowing your strengths and weaknesses will make your career more sustainable and joyful
• And much more!

Shownotes

Junying Lim

Art Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eggsydoodles/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/limjunying/

Sarah Willet

Linkedin linkedin.com/in/willett-sarah

Website Thewillettway.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.willett.way/

Freddie Grzybowski

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddiegrzybowski/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fredzbeez/

Show credits

Illustrations by Isa Vicente

https://www.instagram.com/isadezgz/

Music by Brad Porter

https://prtr.co/

Follow Design Feeling on social!

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/designfeelingco

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/designfeelingco/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/designfeelingco

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@designfeelingco

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/designfeelingco