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What if design wasn’t just a function… but a way of thinking about the world?
In this episode of Why Design, Tylan Tschopp shares a belief that sits at the heart of his career: that design, when combined with engineering rigour and ownership, has the power to shape better products, better teams, and ultimately, better outcomes for people.
Rather than choosing between design or engineering, Tylan chose the space in between. That decision led him to roles defined by responsibility, momentum and scale where success wasn’t measured by aesthetics alone, but by execution, standards and the willingness to step forward when things were unfinished.
This conversation isn’t about design as decoration.
It’s about design as leadership.
Design as systems thinking.
Design as a force that should influence how we build, decide and deliver.
Don’t just listen. Go beyond the podcast.
Join the Why Design community → teamkodu.com/events
What You’ll Learn
🌍 Why Tylan believes design deserves a seat at the highest level of decision-making
🧠 How hybrid thinking between design and engineering creates better outcomes
🎯 Why ownership, not job titles, accelerates careers and teams
⚙️ What the “last three percent” of execution really demands
👥 How to build product teams around growth, standards and ambition
📈 Why scale exposes weak thinking and sharpens good design
Memorable Quotes
“I believe design should take over the world.”
“It was probably 99% me going and asking.”
“We’re here to build rock stars only.”
“That last three percent might take just as much time as the first ninety-seven percent.”
“I debated between the two professions coming out of high school… design and engineering.”
Resources & Links
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Amazon → whydesign.club
👥 Join the Why Design community → teamkodu.com/events
📸 Follow @whydesignxkodu on Instagram
🎥 Watch full episodes → YouTube.com/@whydesignpod
🔗 Follow Chris Whyte → linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte
🔗🔍 Explore Westinghouse Electric Corporation → http://www.westinghouse.com/
🔗 Connect with Tylan Tschopp→ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylan-tschopp-093ab67/
About the Episode
Why Design is powered by Kodu, a specialist recruitment partner for the hardware and physical product development industry.
Through honest conversations with designers, engineers and creative leaders, we explore not just what they build but why they build it; the beliefs, decisions and responsibility behind meaningful work.
About Kodu
Why Design is produced by Kodu, a recruitment partner for ambitious hardware brands, design consultancies and product-led start-ups.
We help founders and leadership teams hire exceptional talent across industrial design, mechanical engineering and product leadership, bringing structure and clarity to one of the hardest parts of scaling.
🔗 Learn more → teamkodu.com
By Chris Whyte | KoduWhat if design wasn’t just a function… but a way of thinking about the world?
In this episode of Why Design, Tylan Tschopp shares a belief that sits at the heart of his career: that design, when combined with engineering rigour and ownership, has the power to shape better products, better teams, and ultimately, better outcomes for people.
Rather than choosing between design or engineering, Tylan chose the space in between. That decision led him to roles defined by responsibility, momentum and scale where success wasn’t measured by aesthetics alone, but by execution, standards and the willingness to step forward when things were unfinished.
This conversation isn’t about design as decoration.
It’s about design as leadership.
Design as systems thinking.
Design as a force that should influence how we build, decide and deliver.
Don’t just listen. Go beyond the podcast.
Join the Why Design community → teamkodu.com/events
What You’ll Learn
🌍 Why Tylan believes design deserves a seat at the highest level of decision-making
🧠 How hybrid thinking between design and engineering creates better outcomes
🎯 Why ownership, not job titles, accelerates careers and teams
⚙️ What the “last three percent” of execution really demands
👥 How to build product teams around growth, standards and ambition
📈 Why scale exposes weak thinking and sharpens good design
Memorable Quotes
“I believe design should take over the world.”
“It was probably 99% me going and asking.”
“We’re here to build rock stars only.”
“That last three percent might take just as much time as the first ninety-seven percent.”
“I debated between the two professions coming out of high school… design and engineering.”
Resources & Links
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Amazon → whydesign.club
👥 Join the Why Design community → teamkodu.com/events
📸 Follow @whydesignxkodu on Instagram
🎥 Watch full episodes → YouTube.com/@whydesignpod
🔗 Follow Chris Whyte → linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte
🔗🔍 Explore Westinghouse Electric Corporation → http://www.westinghouse.com/
🔗 Connect with Tylan Tschopp→ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylan-tschopp-093ab67/
About the Episode
Why Design is powered by Kodu, a specialist recruitment partner for the hardware and physical product development industry.
Through honest conversations with designers, engineers and creative leaders, we explore not just what they build but why they build it; the beliefs, decisions and responsibility behind meaningful work.
About Kodu
Why Design is produced by Kodu, a recruitment partner for ambitious hardware brands, design consultancies and product-led start-ups.
We help founders and leadership teams hire exceptional talent across industrial design, mechanical engineering and product leadership, bringing structure and clarity to one of the hardest parts of scaling.
🔗 Learn more → teamkodu.com