In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick figure out the hard truth about why so many UX and product designers struggle to get hired.
Hint: it is not your (lack of) Figma skills.
They discuss best practices and advice from their experience as UX coaches. From confidence gaps to portfolios that all look the same to the finding out that design careers are built through stakeholders and users instead of pixels, they share the mindset and strategy that actually moves you forward in your product design career.
Tyler brings his ROI-focused product design experience while Nick shares the wins and failures that shaped his coaching style. Together, they talk through what stops designers from leveling up and how the right support can accelerate your career growth.
Here is what is on the table in this episode:
🔸 Why most designers get stuck in the middle and how to break out
🔸 The career advice we wish someone gave us before our first job
🔸 Why coaching works better than another bootcamp
🔸 The confidence unlock that helps you interview like you belong
🔸 Common portfolio traps that keep you getting ghosted
🔸 Networking moves that actually lead to job offers
🔸 Why paying for help finally makes you take your career seriously
🔸 Senior designer skills you can start using right now
🔸 How to stop presenting like an order taker
🔸 The difference between showing screens and selling outcomes
🔗 Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to the chaos
02:00 The real blockers in most design careers
05:40 Tyler almost gets fired straight out of school
11:20 Nick survives the fastest rejection ever
14:30 Why goals come before portfolios
20:50 The storytelling gap holding designers back
26:10 The networking strategy that makes life easier
36:40 Agency vs in house growth paths
48:10 Coaching is not therapy but it feels close
56:00 Our shameless plug to get help if you need it
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👋 More about Tyler and Nick:
Tyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white
Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld
In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick share conversion optimization secrets they've learned over their combined 20 years of design experience.
From the psychology behind high-converting ads to the small tweaks that always boost your landing page performance, they share the tactics that have moved the needle for many of the design projects they've worked on before.
Tyler brings his ROI-focused design expertise while Nick shares insights from his freelance conversion projects. Together, they discuss the entire customer journey from first ad impression to final checkout while revealing which design decisions actually drive revenue and which "best practices" might be holding you back.
Here's what's on the table in this episode:
🔸 Why banner blindness is real and how to design ads that stop the scroll
🔸 The retargeting funnel strategy (and why you need multiple touchpoints to convert)
🔸 Landing page copy secrets that matter most
🔸 The unexpected checkout experiment that boosted conversions
🔸 Why the ugliest ads often convert the best
🔸 When to make landing pages longer vs. shorter
🔸 A/B testing strategies that give you a "raise every week"
🔸 PayPal integration and the 20% conversion lift it used to provide
🔸 Upselling: helpful suggestions vs. dark patterns
🔸 The biggest mistake designers make with progressive disclosure
🔸 Why user research beats design intuition every time
🔸 Trust signals to build credibility during checkout
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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick become the "Design Mythbusters" and tackle the biggest misconceptions about UX design that both designers and non-designers believe.
From the idea that UX is just about making things pretty to the pressure of getting everything right the first time, they bust (or confirm) myths that hold you back in your design career.
Tyler shares his perspective as a senior product designer in-house, while Nick brings his freelance experience to debunk these widespread beliefs.
They explore myths from both sides; what stakeholders wrongly believe about designers, but also what designers tell themselves that creates unnecessary stress and limitations.
Here's what's on the table in this episode:
🔸 Why "UX is just about making things pretty" isn't wrong
🔸 The myth that UX designers create "delightful" experiences
🔸 Why you don't need to get everything right the first time
🔸 The accessibility myth of "we haven't heard any complaints"
🔸 How to balance pretty AND useful design
🔸 Why UX designers don't hold all the keys to user experience
🔸 The pressure to shoulder all responsibility for design decisions
🔸 Case study number inflation and why 2% improvements are impressive
🔸 The "it depends" answer and when it's actually helpful
🔸 Whether you need a traditional art background to be a UX designer
🔸 How AI myths are creating unnecessary fear in the design community
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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick are trying to untangle the confusing world of design job titles and their many, many variations. From UX designer to product designer to the emerging UX engineer role and everything inbetween.
They share what each title actually means, their differences, and how to survive the ever-changing landscape of design careers today.
Also, Tyler shares his experience as a senior product designer in-house, while Nick explains his approach as a freelancer who uses "UX and Product Designer" to catch different types of clients. They discuss the evolution from web designer to the current product design trend, and upcomgin roles like UX engineer that challenge the lines between design and development.
Here's what's on the table in this episode:
🔸 Why Nick uses both "UX" and "Product" designer in his title (it's an SEO play)
🔸 How design titles evolved from web designer to today's product designer
🔸 The difference between UI, UX, and product design roles
🔸 Why larger companies need more specialized design roles
🔸 What service design and customer experience (CX) roles actually do
🔸 The rise of UX engineer and what it means for designers who code
🔸 How AI is helping designers learn development skills
🔸 Why "user" vs "customer" language matters more than you think
🔸 The Pokemon evolution of design careers (and what comes next)
🔸 Senior vs junior titles and how they affect your career progression
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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick talk about the actual day-to-day of being a product designer and how it is very different from what social media tells you.
One's an in-house designer while the other is a freelancer. Both have over a decade of on-the-job design experience. Together, they discuss how AI creates overlap between design, product, and engineering, and why good design often looks like you're doing nothing at all.
They also share what real design-client collaboration looks like, how to stay strategic without losing your momentum, and what to do when your best design work gets shelved by stakeholders.
Here's what's on the table in the rest of the episode.
🔸 What your job actually is as a product designer
🔸 The hidden work behind design decisions
🔸 How to collaborate across product, design, and engineering
🔸 Why most “bad design” is just the result of unclear priorities
🔸 The myth of pixel-perfect design in real teams
🔸 How to handle feedback from non-design stakeholders
🔸 What separates strategic designers from execution-only roles
🔸 How to protect your energy and sanity as a designer
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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick discuss the real answer to the question that’s been haunting LinkedIn threads, Reddit posts, and bootcamp Slack groups:
Is it still worth becoming a UX or product designer in 2025 and beyond?
They look back on their own (non-)traditional paths into product design, the current state of the industry, and how AI is changing design roles differently than what most people say on social media.
They also share what separates the top 10% of designers from the rest, how you can make it to be within that top 10%, and why most bootcamp portfolios are outdated from the start.
This episode's super useful for new designers, career-switchers, and anyone wondering if it’s still worth it to invest time, money, and energy into a formal design education when it feels like AI is going to replace it all.
🔸 An important skill no design school teaches: rejection tolerance
🔸 Why “just stand out” is both great advice and terrible advice
🔸 AI isn’t replacing designers (but lazy designers might self-replace)
🔸 How to evaluate design programs without falling for hype
🔸 Portfolio strategy: what actually gets you hired
🔸 Why some hiring managers say “there are hundreds of applicants, but no one good”
🔸 Fundamentals vs. tools: what matters in 2025
🔸 Personal branding, mentorship, and zooming out
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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick go into the chaotic world of branding. They discuss why it matters more than ever, when it’s completely overhyped, and how to make the most of it as a product designer looking to build a career.
Well-known branding moments include the Jaguar rebrand and Apple’s liquid glass 'feature'. Nick and Tyler talk about how branding decisions influence users and why some branding changes work wonders while others just cause social media uproar.
They also have quite something to say about personal branding for product designers: what it is, how to find your voice, and why soft skills don’t show up in your Figma file.
🔸 Why branding is your biggest moat—or just overpriced vibes
🔸 What the Jaguar rebrand got wrong
🔸 How Apple’s “failures” still drive loyalty
🔸 The emotional psychology behind iconic brands
🔸 Personal branding tips for designers
🔸 The underrated power of testimonials
🔸 Social proof, client trust, and repeat work
🔸 How to niche down (without boxing yourself in)
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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick discuss the role of animation and motion in modern product design workflows and why it’s not just about looking slick.
From micro-interactions to loading states, they find out where animation improves UX and where it becomes a distraction. They also get into motion for video editing, designing for product marketing, and why most designers need to reconsider the amount of motion they use in their work.
Along the way, they touch on mentorship, design tools, and what junior designers should focus on when learning motion design in today’s world of product design.
🔸 Why subtle motion design is more effective
🔸 The psychology behind informative loading states
🔸 When animation delights users—and when it distracts
🔸 The value of documentation for preserving ideas
🔸 Tools for animation: Figma, Lottie, After Effects, and more
🔸 How animation can elevate product marketing
🔸 Mentorship, design education, and learning by doing
🔸 “Done is better than perfect” when shipping MVPs
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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick talk about how the lines between designers and product managers are getting more and more blurry.
AI tools speed up our way of working and startups grow using smaller teams than ever. Does that mean we are heading toward a new unicorn role for a designer-product-manager-hybrid?
From working with founders instead of PMs, to shielding teams from company politics, to the rise of fractional roles and hybrid titles, we explore how the designer and PM responsibilities are evolving and whether we’re just overcomplicating the whole thing.
🔸 Why strategy and design are merging
🔸 The slow disappearance of traditional PMs
🔸 What “fractional” actually means (and why it’s not just a buzzword)
🔸 Whether small teams still need dedicated PMs
🔸 The mental toll of context switching
🔸 When meetings are useful — and when they’re just expensive
🔸 The future of the product designer title (or lack thereof)
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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss the fast-evolving world of design tools, AI integration for your tools, and why your current workflow might (or might not) already be outdated.
From tool fatigue to the Figma vs. Framer debate, they explore how designers are adapting (or not) to new tech, what makes or breaks productivity today, and whether a single tool could truly bridge the gap between design and development.
They also discuss the shifting responsibilities of designers and product managers, and why understanding code might soon be part of your job description.
Whether you're curious about the next big thing, feeling overwhelmed by the AI tool race, or wondering if Figma is still the go-to, this conversation is packed with insights that will shape the way you think about design in 2025 and beyond.
🔸 Why AI tool overload is killing designer productivity
🔸 The hidden cost of switching tools
🔸 Can Framer replace Figma for marketing sites?
🔸 What “designing in code” actually looks like today
🔸 How integrated tools could merge design and dev roles
🔸 Why Figma’s future depends on its website builder
🔸 How product management and design are merging
🔸 The tradeoff between speed, craft, and business impact
🔸 What every designer should know about using AI effectively
🔸 A future with multiple tools sharing market dominance
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👋 More about Tyler and Nick
In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss the (design) updates Apple showcased at WWDC, including the much-hyped Liquid Glass, and what it means for product designers, users, and the future of UI.
They discuss why both the product design community and Apple focuses too much on Liquid Glas, what to focus on instead, and the more interesting subtle announcements.
The focus is less on Liquid Glass and more about UX because UI, UX, and product design isn’t just about visual polish. It’s marketing, emotion, accessibility, and trust. This is especially important when working on the devices we use a lot during the day.
At the same time, the episode highlights the growing importance of emotional design, the return of personality in UI, and the tension between trends and usability.
Inside this episode:
🔸 Why the design community is split on Liquid Glass
🔸 How Apple’s marketing may have overplayed the announcement
🔸 The return of 3D design and why people are tired of flat design
🔸 Why accessibility and readability always beat shiny aesthetics
🔸 How emotional design is becoming a bigger part of UX
🔸 Spotlight and Search improvements that actually boost productivity
🔸 How user expectations are shifting thanks to Apple’s design leadership
🔸 The risk of letting aesthetics overshadow real usability gains
🔸 How to position design updates for better user acceptance
🔸 Why design is key in marketing, branding, and product adoption
🎧 Listen now and stay sharp as design continues to evolve.
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🎯 "Good design speaks for itself."
...except when it doesn’t.
In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld break down how to present your work—and yourself—in a way that actually influences decisions. Whether you're in a client pitch, a job interview, or a high-stakes design review, how you communicate your value is just as important as what you design.
We’re breaking down:
✅ Why context matters—and how to tailor presentations to different audiences.
✅ The secret to stakeholder engagement (hint: it starts before you show the design).
✅ How to frame your work from a business perspective and prove ROI.
✅ Why transparency and preparation turn meetings into momentum.
✅ Specialist vs. generalist: how to position yourself for the right opportunities.
✅ How AI tools are quietly reshaping the way designers prep, present, and build trust.
If you’ve ever struggled to get buy-in, felt overlooked in meetings, or bombed an interview you thought you nailed, this episode will give you the strategies to turn it around.
🎧 Listen now and start presenting like your career depends on it—because it does.
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🛠️ "Design is just making pretty screens, right?"
...Wrong.
In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld dive into the real (and messy) side of product design—from research and collaboration to freelancing and client communication. It's everything they don't teach you in design school.
We’re breaking down:
✅ How user research actually works (and why users shouldn’t design the product).
✅ Why rough sketches and early wireframes still matter—even in an AI world.
✅ Freelancing vs. in-house: the surprising trade-offs you need to know.
✅ How collaborating with developers (and knowing a little code) can boost your impact.
✅ Why side projects aren't a distraction—they're your creative playground.
✅ How mentorship, mistakes, and continuous learning can skyrocket your career.
If you've ever felt stuck between "designing" and "delivering real outcomes," or wondered how to stay relevant in a world moving at startup speed, this episode is packed with insights you can start using today.
🎧 Listen now and make your design career future-proof!
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👋 More about Tyler and Nick
The design community is divided. Some love the Figma Config announcements while others hate it. We've seen every type of comment from 'the output code sucks' to 'Figma just ended Illustrator'. But which one is true? Or is none of it true?
In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss Figma Config's 2025 announcements and how Figma Make, Figma Sites, and the rest impact product and UX designers today.
We’re breaking down:
✅ Why Figma Make might redefine what prototyping looks like
✅ How Figma Sites could reshape how designers (and non-designers) build for the web
✅ The growing concerns about code quality and accessibility inside design tools
✅ Why coding is becoming critical for freelancers and startup designers
✅ How IPO-level moves from Figma signal a shift in priorities
✅ Why the design community is split and what that says about where we’re headed
If you’re wondering whether to embrace AI, pick up coding skills, or double down on prototyping—this episode will help you stay relevant in a post-Config world.
🎧 Listen now and future-proof your career!
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👋 More about Tyler and Nick
Tyler - https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white
Nick - https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld
💻"Designers don’t need to code."
...but is that advice still true today?
In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld unpack why the designer role is evolving fast—and why the next generation of designers will need more than just Figma skills to stay relevant.
We’re breaking down:
✅ Why polished prototypes now speak louder than polished decks.
✅ How AI is reshaping prototyping—and why it’s a tool, not a threat.
✅ The real reason coding is becoming a must-have for freelancers and startup designers.
✅ How to build trust with developers (and why it matters more than ever).
✅ Why empathy isn’t just for users—it’s the secret weapon for cross-team collaboration.
✅ How posting on LinkedIn can build visibility and career resilience.
If you’re feeling the pressure to level up—or wondering how to stand out as AI and automation shift the game—this episode will help you future-proof your career.
🎧 Listen now and stay ahead of the curve!
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👋 More about Tyler and Nick
💡 “Designers need a seat at the table!”
…but what if the company doesn’t even HAVE a table?
In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld unpack the real reason designers struggle to influence decisions—they don’t speak the right language.
We’re breaking down:
✅ Why empathy is a designer’s superpower—for users and stakeholders.
✅ The business language hack that gets you taken seriously in meetings.
✅ How to build real influence (hint: visibility = opportunity).
✅ The leadership vs. craft mastery dilemma—which career path should you take?
✅ The real reason mentorship & teaching will 10x your skills.
✅ Should designers learn to code? (Spoiler: It depends.)
If you've ever felt undervalued in meetings, frustrated by clueless stakeholders, or uncertain about your career path, this episode will give you the mindset shift you need to thrive.
🎧 Listen now and start making your design work IMPOSSIBLE to ignore!
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👋 More about Tyler and Nick
💭 "Remote work is the future!" they said. "You'll love the freedom!" they promised.
And yet… here we are, burnt out, over-snacking, and wondering if we should just buy another standing desk to fix our working lives.
In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld pull back the curtain on what remote work is REALLY like—from the dream of working in sweatpants to the nightmare of never logging off.
We’re diving into:
✅ Why the "remote work dream" is under pressure (and how to stay sane).
✅ The management mistakes that ruin remote teams.
✅ How to build company culture when everyone’s in different time zones.
✅ The freelancing vs. full-time flexibility trap (and what no one tells you).
✅ The silent killer of remote work productivity (hint: it’s not Netflix).
🎧 If you’ve ever found yourself working from your couch, eating lunch at 4 PM, and wondering if you should just go back to an office, this episode is for you.
🔥 Listen now and learn how to thrive in the new world of work!
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💡 "Design ROI is just about making things look good, right?"
WRONG.
In this episode, Nick Groeneveld and Tyler White expose the ROI myth that’s been holding designers back for decades.
Here’s the deal—great design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about influencing perception, driving conversions, and making customers FEEL something (even when they’re pissed off).
We break down:
✅ The perceived vs. actual value of design (and why it matters more than you think).
✅ How design shapes customer behavior and drives real business impact.
✅ The secret to handling angry clients (without losing your sanity).
✅ Why tracking customer sentiment is the goldmine most designers ignore.
✅ How to measure design impact in a way that actually makes sense to non-designers.
If you've ever struggled to prove your worth as a designer or convince clients that your work is more than just a “nice-to-have,” this episode is non-negotiable.
🎧 Listen now and start making design decisions that move the needle!
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👋 More about Tyler and Nick
