In this episode of Beyond Product Management, host Heather Miller sits down with Nick Cawthon, Product Design Leader and Founder of Gauge.io, to explore the fascinating crossroads of creativity, technology, and AI-driven design.

Nick shares how his early roots in visual arts and proximity to Silicon Valley shaped his approach to product design—and how he’s navigated the shift from bespoke, handcrafted interfaces to the age of pattern libraries and AI-generated UX.

Together, Heather and Nick dive into:

• The commoditization of design and what it means for creativity in tech
• How product, design, and engineering roles are blurring through AI
• Why context, emotion, and human understanding remain the real differentiators
• The case for “AI amnesty”—creating space for curiosity and collaboration instead of guilt or competition
• And how staying curious and adaptable will define the next wave of product innovation

If you’ve ever wondered where human creativity fits in an AI-powered world, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

🔗 Connect with Nick:

• LinkedIn: Nick Cawthon
• Website: Gauge.io

PDRM Consulting's mission is to help businesses reduce risk, specifically in the fields of Cybersecurity and Product Management.

Heather bridges the professional development gap in the corporate space by empowering growth-driven product managers to transition into strategic, results-oriented leaders. By focusing on enhancing key skills and decision-making capabilities, she helps them accelerate their leadership journey, achieve measurable outcomes more quickly, and excel in driving product success. Her approach ensures they thrive in their roles and unlock their full potential as impactful servant leaders within their organizations.

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