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Episode 10 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!
In this episode, host Chris Whyte interviews Emily Moyer, an independent industrial design strategy and innovation consultant.
Emily has worked with big brands like L'Oreal and Nestle, as well as startups like Aura Home and Bark & Co.
She shares her career journey and highlights the importance of user experience and problem-solving in design.
Emily also discusses the trends she's seeing in the industry, including advancements in design tools and AI.
In this conversation, Chris and Emily discuss the importance of understanding the limitations of design tools like GPT and Mid-Journey. They compare it to the process of designing in industrial design, where it's crucial to flesh out concepts before diving into 3D modeling. They also talk about the elements of a strong industrial design portfolio, including versatility and sketching.
Emily shares a success story of a prescription bottle design that won an award and a failure story of a wearable keyboard that didn't meet consumer expectations.
They discuss the challenges of business development for independent consultants and the effectiveness of personal posts on LinkedIn.
Emily recommends the book 'I Love It, What Is It?' by Turner Duckworth and the podcast 'Design Theory' by John Murielo.
She also mentions Hector Rodriguez and Jonathan Tai as valuable resources in the design industry.
Emily can be reached on LinkedIn or through her website, EmilyMoyer.com.
Takeaways
Connect with Emily Moyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-moyer-1b49973/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
Episode 9 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!
Ashley Sayed, CEO of Supply Chain Pro, shares his career journey in product development, from working at Sendo and Motorola to joining TomTom.
He discusses the transition from engineer to strategic roles and the importance of connecting design and product development with manufacturing.
Ashley also provides advice for young entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need to solve a real problem, have passion, and consider scalability. He highlights the benefits of joining an incubator or accelerator to gain experience and support.
Ashley's experience in high-volume manufacturing and design for manufacture has shaped his expertise in supply chain management. Ashley Sayed discusses his experience in scaling up technology and creating a roadmap of products.
He emphasizes the importance of bringing in engineering and understanding the technical aspects of design. He shares the success and challenges he faced during his time at TomTom and Philips.
Ashley also talks about his current venture, Supply Chain Pro, which focuses on helping companies set up and improve their supply chains. He highlights the importance of prioritizing health, family, and career and shares insights on hiring and standing out in the job market.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of a Product Development Expert
03:53 The Impact of Psychology on Design Decisions
10:01 Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling Up Technology
17:05 Valuable Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
28:55 The Journey from Industrial Design to Software Engineering
33:12 Balancing Career, Family, and Health
50:56 Insights on Hiring and Standing Out in the Job Market
01:06:08 Insights on Physical Product Development and Recruitment
Ashley's recommended book:
Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://amzn.eu/d/06iloxge
Connect with Ashley Sayed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashsayed/
Learn more about SupliChainPRO: https://www.suplichainpro.com/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
Episode 8 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!
In this episode of the Design Journeys podcast, host Chris
Whyte interviews Tim Morton, Director for Global Design North America for Husqvarna. They discuss Tim's career journey, starting with his studies in industrial design at the University of Wales and his time at Lego.
Tim shares his experiences working at Lego, including the
importance of collaboration, understanding the brand, and designing for children. He also talks about his transition to consulting and his work with PDT, where he worked on projects for clients such as Dell, Corning, and
Qualcomm.
The conversation explores the broad field of consultancy and design, highlighting the importance of understanding the needs and goals of people and designing products to meet those needs. It emphasizes the role of human connection in design and the value of innovation and creativity.
The conversation also touches on the challenges of
leadership, the impact of design on business, and the need to quantify the value of design.
The guest shares his experiences and failures in the design
industry and emphasizes the importance of learning from failures.
The conversation concludes with a discussion on favorite
podcasts and books, and the guest's contact information.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:20 University of Wales and Discovering Industrial Design
06:18 Starting at LEGO and the Importance of Persistence
13:03 Favorite Memories at LEGO and the Value of
Collaboration
23:36 Working on Diverse Projects at PDT
25:23 Design, Innovation, and Creativity in Connecting
People, Technology, and Business
28:39 Design as a Business: Lessons from Working at PDT
33:13 Challenges and Opportunities in the Outdoor Power
Equipment Industry
35:15 Learning from Failure: Lessons from a Smartwatch
Project at LEGO
45:26 Embracing Change and Inspiring Others: The Power of
Human Connection in Design
53:43 Insights on Physical Product Development and
Recruitment
Tim's recommended books and podcasts:
How I Built This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6E709HRH7XaiZrMfgtNCun
"Remember" by Lisa Genova: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Remember-Science-Memory-Art-Forgetting-ebook/dp/B08YHZ4ZR6
"The Silo Effect" by Gillian Tett: https://amzn.eu/d/06t6NSe7
Connect with Tim Morton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjmorton/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
Episode 7 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!
In this episode of the Design Journeys podcast, Chris Whyte interviews Adrian Berry, co-founder of Factory Design.
They discuss Adrian's design journey, starting from his studies in engineering product design at London South Bank University to his time at Pentagram and Seymour Powell.
Adrian shares the challenges and lessons he learned in business development for design consultancies. They also talk about the importance of placement years, building relationships, and networking in the industry.
In this conversation, Adrian Berry, co-founder of Factory Design, shares his experiences and insights on starting and running a design consultancy. He discusses the early days of Factory Design, the challenges they faced, and the importance of building relationships and rapport with clients.
Adrian also emphasizes the value of being part of a design community and the benefits of working in a studio environment.
He shares his pet peeve of remote work and highlights the importance of in-person interactions for collaboration and creativity.
Adrian recommends the podcast '13 Minutes to the Moon' and the book 'The Modern Middle East' by Jeremy Bowen.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
06:00 The Value of Placement Years
09:37 Building Relationships and Networking
13:17 Lessons Learned at Pentagram
14:42 The Importance of In-Person Collaboration and Communication
15:38 Working on Diverse Projects
21:13 The Challenges of Business Development
25:03 Starting Factory Design
29:02 Surviving the Early Days
29:31 Advice for Young Designers Starting Their Careers
31:25 Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
37:45 Showcasing Process and Building Relationships in Job Applications
49:35 Podcast and Book Recommendations
58:34 Closing Remarks
01:04:02 Insights on Physical Product Development and Recruitment
Adrian's recommended podcast and book:
13 minutes to the Moon Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xttx2/episodes/downloads
The Modern Middle East: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Modern-Middle-East-Personal/dp/1509890890
Connect with Adrian Berry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianberry/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
Episode 6 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!
On this episode we're joined by Lea Stewart.
Lea Stewart, senior manager for baby and parenting products at Newell Brands, shares her career journey and insights in this episode. She discusses how she chose to study industrial design and the challenges she faced in finding job opportunities. Lea emphasizes the importance of not overlooking creative opportunities and finding value in every job, regardless of the company's reputation. She also highlights the significance of building connections and learning from experienced professionals. Lea's story reminds us that success in design is not defined by working for well-known companies, but by finding fulfillment and growth in our work. Lea Stewart discusses the importance of finding a job that enables the rest of your life and brings you joy. She emphasizes the need to consider factors beyond just the work itself, such as work-life balance and the people you work with. Lea also shares insights on dressing for interviews, highlighting the importance of reading the room and being comfortable while still dressing appropriately. She provides an overview of her company's hiring process, which includes initial camera-off interviews to assess character and portfolio reviews in later rounds. Lea emphasizes the importance of understanding and communicating your impact in design careers, as well as the satisfaction of positively influencing and developing others. She also shares a personal design horror story where a lack of stakeholder alignment led to a failed presentation. Lea recommends the book series 'The 12 Tomorrows' and podcasts like Radio Lab, This American Life, and Freakonomics for thought-provoking content. She also mentions the Women in Design Deep Dive event happening in June.
Takeaways
More info on the Women in Design Deep Dive Event in Philadelphia on 25th June 2024: https://www.idsa.org/conference-details/women-in-design-deep-dive-2024/
Lea's recommended reads: The Twelve Tomorrows Series: https://mitpress.mit.edu/series/twelve-tomorrows/
Lea's recommended Podcasts:
Connect with Lea Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadesigns/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
Episode 5 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!
On this episode we're joined by Dr. Kristi Bartlett.
Summary
Dr. Kristi Bartlett, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Design and Director of Product Development at Zibrio, discusses her career journey in medical device design and her passion for equality and gender bias in design. She shares her experience transitioning from civil engineering to industrial design and her research on improving medical devices for home use. Dr. Bartlett also talks about Zibrio's balance assessment technology and the importance of user-centered design. In her role as a professor, she focuses on helping students find their personal motivation and develop their design skills. The conversation explores the challenges women face in engineering and design industries, including gender bias in job descriptions and the lack of representation. It highlights the importance of creating a more inclusive and appealing environment for women in these fields. The discussion also touches on the value of user insights in the design process and the ability to update connected devices to meet user needs. The conversation concludes with a mention of the Women in Industrial Design Group and the need for support and mentorship in the design community.
Keywords
design, engineering, medical devices, equality, gender bias, industrial design, user-centered design, women in engineering, gender bias, job descriptions, inclusivity, user insights, connected devices, design process, Women in Industrial Design Group, support, mentorship
Takeaways
Chapters
Kristi's recommended Podcast: "How I Built This" - https://open.spotify.com/show/6E709HRH7XaiZrMfgtNCun?si=d01d9a0c7ec04b7c
Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristibartlett2/
Follow Zibrio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zibrio/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
Episode 4 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!
On this episode we're joined by Chris Johnson.
Summary
Chris Johnson discusses his journey from studying transportation design at Coventry University to working at design consultancies, Bombardier, and eventually joining Speedo. He shares his experiences and highlights, including working on the iconic Concord project and designing the Fasken Elite Goggles for the Olympics. Chris emphasizes the importance of perseverance and combining passion with design skills to succeed in the industry. In this conversation, Chris Johnson discusses his experience designing racing goggles and leading design teams. He shares insights on the evolution of the product and the challenges of balancing ambition with rules in sports design. Chris also highlights the importance of research and innovation in creating step changes. He talks about his book, 'Design, Lead, Succeed,' and emphasizes the value of setting shared principles in design teams. Chris reflects on his career and the learning opportunities he encountered, including the challenges of transitioning into design leadership. He provides advice for candidates looking to stand out in the job market and shares his favorite book and podcast.
Takeaways
Chris's recommended books and podcasts:
Buy "Design, Lead, Succeed" by Chris Johnson here: https://amzn.eu/d/glLIENd
Connect with Chris Johnson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnson-design/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
Episode 3 of The Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte at Kodu. New episodes every other Wednesday!
On this episode we were joined by Stefan Bridges, Head of Creative Design at Redbull.
Our conversation covered a range of topics, including Stefan Bridges' experiences working at Factory Design, McLaren, and Red Bull. Bridges discussed his decision to join Factory Design after being inspired by a feature in Design Week, despite the low pay, and the subsequent growth of the team. He also shared insights into his decision to join McLaren, emphasizing the allure of relocating from London and the substantial pay increase offered. Bridges then detailed his transition from McLaren to Red Bull, explaining how he was headhunted by his previous boss and attracted to the more creative and inspiring atmosphere at Red Bull.
The conversation also touched on job application strategies, media consumption habits, and potential future guests for the podcast. Chris Whyte and Stefan Bridges discussed the use of portfolios in job applications, the impact of digital approaches, and the rarity of receiving mailed portfolios in the current job market. They also shared their limited use of social media and emphasized the value of genuine career advice.
lease excuse the sound and video quality of this episode. We hope you enjoy the content regardless :)
Connect with Stefan Bridges on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-bridges-63315a6/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com
Episode 2 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!
On this episode we're joined by Tom Malloy.
Tom, a principal designer at Elvie, shares his journey in industrial design and his passion for inclusive design. He emphasizes the importance of being passionate about a cause or mission when applying for a job. Tom also discusses the value of cover letters and physical portfolios in standing out from other applicants. He highlights the need for a more modern and relevant design curriculum in schools. Tom concludes by mentioning his involvement with the Design and Technology Association to improve design education. Tom shares his journey from working at Hornby to joining Oxford Product Design (OPD) and eventually Elvie. He emphasizes the importance of design thinking skills and the value of personal connections in career transitions. Tom also discusses his passion for inclusive design and how it has shaped his work at Elvie. He highlights the need for a well-prepared and fair interview process, sharing a story of an interview faux pas.
Chapters
Takeaways
Tom's recommended podcasts:
Connect with Tom Malloy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/designbymalloy/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
In this episode of the Design Journeys podcast, Chris Whyte interviews Jeff Baldwin, a creative leader and founder of People, Places, and Things. Jeff shares his journey in design, starting from his childhood fascination with shoes to his career at IDEO and IDEO.org. He discusses the importance of including people in the design process and designing with them, rather than for them. Jeff also talks about the challenges he has faced, including the balance between being a leader and a hands-on designer, and the self-doubt that comes with every step of the creative journey. In this conversation, Geoff Baldwin and Chris Whyte discuss the importance of doing what you love and how to overcome doubt and imposter syndrome. Geoff emphasizes the need for support from others, whether it's a spouse, friend, or community, to help navigate the challenges of freelancing or starting a business. They also talk about Geoff's new venture, WinWin Athletics, which aims to solve everyday sports problems and make sports more accessible for everyone. Geoff shares his advice for aspiring designers, encouraging them to embrace new tools and technology while also focusing on building a strong foundation as a designer.
Connect with Geoff Baldwin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-baldwin-96286116/
Learn more about flag football and WIN WIN Athletics: https://winwinathletics.com/
Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/
Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: https://teamkodu.com/
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