In this episode of the Let’s Talk Design Podcast, we sit down with Luke Pierce, founder of Boom Automations and AiAllstars, to explore how businesses can unlock the real return on investment of AI.
Luke’s journey from logistics and supply chain engineering to building two AI-focused companies gives him a unique perspective on where automation truly delivers value — and where most businesses go wrong. Having transformed over 75 teams through intelligent automation, Luke shares practical insights on spotting workflows that can be automated, balancing efficiency with creativity, and separating real AI impact from hype.
We also dive into his work at AiAllstars, where he teaches individuals and teams how to go from idea to a working automation in just seven days. From common AI myths to the future of human work, Luke breaks down what the next era of design, business, and technology will really look like.
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In this episode of Let’s Talk Design, we sit down with Keesjan Engelen, founder and CEO of Titoma (Time To Market), a company that helps businesses design and manufacture complex electronic devices. With nearly 30 years of experience in Taiwan and China, Keesjan has worked at the intersection of business, design, and manufacturing, guiding startups and enterprises alike through the challenges of bringing hardware products to life.
We dive into his fascinating journey, from his business beginnings to moving to Taiwan in 1994, and what it was like working with Chinese ODM factories in the early days. Keesjan shares what he’s learned about avoiding costly mistakes, building global engineering teams, and why “to get to market fast, you need to avoid doing things twice.”
The conversation explores the philosophy behind Time To Market and what sets Titoma apart, the real costs of hardware design and why startups often underestimate them, and the lessons he’s learned from decades of working in Asian manufacturing, including IP protection, pitfalls with ODM factories, and managing supplier relationships. We also discuss the future of IoT, AI, and embedded electronics, how global supply chains are evolving from China to emerging hubs like India, and the critical advice every startup should hear before launching a complex hardware project.
Keesjan also reflects on becoming a leading voice on LinkedIn, how that has shaped his role as an advisor in the technology space, and what’s next for Titoma as new services and technologies emerge.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, product designer, or just curious about how ideas turn into real devices, this conversation is packed with insights on building hardware smarter, faster, and with fewer painful lessons along the way.
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In this episode, we chat with Fadi M. Abul Hussen, a product designer and branding specialist with over 30 years of experience. From industrial design and 3D modelling to brand identity and packaging, Fadi shares his journey of transforming ideas into market-ready products. The role of surface modelling in SolidWorks, and his perspective on the future of design.
In this episode, we sit down with award-winning design leader Emma Carter to explore her 20+ year journey in experience and strategy design, team leadership, and digital transformation. Emma shares insights on building design maturity across organistaions, how to work in a team environment and the importance of designers within a company. A must listen for designers, strategists and anyone passionate about customer-centric innovation.
Emma is also the author of ‘DesignedUp: A designer’s guide on how to lead inside the tech industry’, ‘Shaping a DesignedUp Organisation: The Journey to Design Maturity’ & ‘Beyond the LOGO’ - All available through Amazon.
You can find Emma on Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmacartersealey
In this episode, we chat with Sabrina Schoenborn, a mechanical engineer working at the intersection of medical design and emerging technology. From developing the world's first arthroscopic robot to her current work in quantum sensing at Q-CTRL. Sabrina shares her journey, the challenges of designing for healthcare, and how collaboration, simulation, and design thinking play a role in shaping real-world innovations.
Share if you enjoy the episode; it helps us grow and bring more thoughtful conversations your way.
Episode with Rohan Primrose – Industrial Design Consultant& Founder of équipe design & consulting
In this episode, we sit down with Rohan Primrose, a seasonedindustrial designer and owner / consultant at équipe design. With over 30 years of experience; from startups to $30B global corporations, Rohan brings deep expertise in MedTech design, advanced CAD modelling,and team collaboration.
Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the episode; ithelps us grow and bring more thoughtful conversations your way.
Connect with Rohan: Rohan Primrose
#IndustrialDesign #ProductDevelopment #DesignConsulting#MedTech #CAD #Innovation #RohanPrimrose #équipeDesign
This week on Let's Talk Design I met with Richard Kirk. Richard is an architect and urban designer located in Brisbane. Richard is the founder of Kirk Studio which is an innovative architecture firm that combines use of traditional and modern materials to create a range of prominent projects through Brisbane as well as the greater Australian area.
In the podcast we discussed the current architectural landscape in Brisbane, discussing the key areas of need to bring Brisbane to the modern day. We also discuss city planning, highlighting the benefits of various cityscape styles. He also mentioned key projects he has undertaken in recent years. Specifically we discussed his recent Gabba west concept he proposed.
I hope you enjoy the episode! If you do, please consider subscribing and sharing it with a friend to help us grow.
Explore more at Kirk Studio: https://kirk.studio/
@richardkirkarch
Connect on LinkedIn:
Ethan Lane
Richard Kirk
Support the podcast by checking out a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
This week I met with Marty Brown. Marty is a multidisciplinary designer and founder of Secret Agency, a consultancy that tackles all aspects of a successful product launch. Throughout Marty's career he has worked for a range of organisations as well as starting Hollowway a boutique australian made sunglasses and watches company.
In our conversation, we discuss how Marty tackles multidisciplinary projects as well as organise a team for a successful outcome. We also discuss how designers can boost their creativity and stay in a fresh mind in this landscape.
I hope you enjoy the episode! If you do, please consider subscribing and sharing it with a friend to help us grow.
Join me this week as I chat with Chris Thomson, an acclaimed industrial designer and co-founder of the innovative filmmaking accessory brand, Syrp. After honing his craft at 4 Design, Chris transitioned into entrepreneurship, where he’s not only created products but also actively invests in companies that align with his vision. In our conversation, we dive into Chris's journey, exploring how he consistently prioritizes creativity in his projects. He shares the challenges and rewards of launching Syrp from the ground up, offering insights into the startup world. We also discuss his unique role as a contract designer, where his investments intersect with the design process. I hope you enjoy the episode! If you do, please consider subscribing and sharing it with a friend to help us grow. Follow us on Instagram: @letstalkdesign @cherfan_design Connect on LinkedIn: Roman Cherfan Chris Thomson Support the podcast by checking out a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
On this week's episode of ‘Let's talk Design’ I met with Boris Brawer, CEO of the hardware manufacturing company ‘Made studio’ in Taiwan. Boris career as a design engineer varies greatly, from his time in Europe working for a range of consultancies, then shifting to his career in Asia leading him to establish his end to end design and manufacturing firm.
In the podcast we discussed a range of topics all centered around the topics of manufacturing, consumer electronics, startups and much more. Boris discussed the knowledge and experience he has gained from his time working with a range of clients to help them bring their ideas to manufactured reality. More recently Boris has written an informative book ‘Co pilot’. Where he provides this plethora of knowledge to educate prospective tech startup founders on the ins and outs of technology design and manufacturing.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
Checkout Purpose Design Lab at the link below:
@lets talk Design
@cherfan_design
LinkedIn:
Roman Cherfan
Boris Brawer
Made Studio product development
Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
On this weeks podcast I met with Adam Barlow. Adam is an Industrial Designer who started his career in the UK as a designer/model maker. Adam then moved his career to Australia to take a position at Resmed where he worked in a variety of roles and subject matter over the span of 13 years. Following his role at Resmed Adam stated his consultancy Purpose Design Lab where he leverages his experience and a range of areas to guide stakeholders to a successful product launch.
In the podcast we discuss Adams experience moving his career to australia and how his foundational roles underpin his professional success. We then discussed his time at Resmed, where he mentioned the real world positive impact his projects made. Finally, we discussed what led him to go out on his own and create Purpose Design Lab.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
Checkout Purpsoe Design Lab at the link below:
@lets talk Design
@cherfan_design
@purposedesignlab
Linkedin:
Roman Cherfan
Adam Barlow
Purpose Design Lab
Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
On this week's episode of Let's talk Design, I discussed all things design with Ashley Marsh-Croft Product development manager at Breville. Ashley's background as a designer was developed working for prominent design organisations such as Tiller Design, 4 Design, as well as an internship with Marc Newson Ltd in Paris.
On the podcast, we discussed the experiences leading him up to his 10+ year role at Breville. He highlights the benefit of Breville's long-term operation and well-defined design process. We also discussed the hybrid working environment utilised in his current role. Finally, we discuss the large-scale supply chain of Breville and discuss potential/opportunities for Australian manufacturing capabilities in the future.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
@lets talk Design
@cherfan_design
@_extra.nice
Linkedin:
Roman Cherfan
Ashely Marsh Croft
Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
Medical design/manufacturing, advanced material science, clinician-to-designer interactions, ergonomics
On this week's episode, we have Lincoln Black. Lincoln started his career off at Avantech, exposing himself to a range of projects in a consultancy environment. Then moving on into the field of orthopedics design, then to tiller Design in Syndey. Recently he has established Virtimachi where he works with various medical companies to bring their product startups to life.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform?
@lets talk Design
Linkedin:
Roman Cherfan
Lincoln Black
Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
This week on Let’s Talk Design I met with Ed Ko. Ed’s career has spanned an interesting balance of Design practice as well as education. He started off his career working for prestigious Sydney consultants such as Vert Design and Alquemy. Then he moved to work as a tutor/lecturer at UNSQ, working under his company name Ed KO Designs.
In the podcast, Ed discusses the trends of nostalgia bringing back lost designs into the modern day. Further, we discuss the value of consumers' emotional connection to our designs. In addition, we mention the move toward organic design where aesthetics imitate the design language of nature.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
If there is someone you would like to see on the podcast reach out to me through the comments section or through social media, and I will be happy to get them on.
Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
LinkedIn:
ED KO
Lets Talk Design
Roman Cherfan
Instagram:
@_letstalkdesign
@cherfan_design
This week on Let’s Talk Design I met with René Linseen and Elliot Bastianon from Furnished Forever. René and Elliot 6 years back now joined forces with a common passion for furniture, combining their backgrounds in Art and Design to create unique and visually stunning Australian-made pieces. Apart from Furnished Forever, René works as an industrial designer at Formswell Design with Dan Armstrong who recently came on the podcast. In addition, Elliot facilitates his personal artistic practice.
In the podcast, we discuss how the two of them work collaboratively to draw from their multidisciplinary experience to create artistic while functional and user-centric furniture outcomes. Further, they discuss the challenges and oppositions they have experienced when working on the modern Australian design landscape, where they mention theatre excitement for the future of the industry. To conclude the two of them give advice to incoming designer looking to take the jump into personal projects outside of the scope of their design practice.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
If there is someone you would like to see on the podcast reach out to me through the comments section or through social media, and I will be happy to get them on.
Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
This week on Let’s Talk Design I met with Bojan Smiljanic. Bojan has beat a different drum with his design career focusing on guiding start-ups towards success through strategic and physical design.
In the podcast, Bojan discusses his time living in China and how it changed the way he looked at design. He also discusses his experience moving to Australia and pursuing a design career in a new country. In addition, Bojan gives valuable guidance to those looking to pursue a startup, advocating for using crowdfunding as a way to kickstart a business built around a product innovation.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
If there is someone you would like to see on the podcast reach out to me through the comments section or through social media, and I will be happy to get them on.
Have a product idea? Reach out to Bojan at www.bojandesign.com
Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475...
LinkedIn:
Bojan Smiljanic
Lets Talk Design
Roman Cherfan
Instagram:
@bojandesign
@_letstalkdesign
@cherfan_design
This week on Let’s Talk Design I met with John Klinkenberg. John has worked for a range of big-name organisations such as Rhino-Rack, Orica, Design Anthology, and currently the Melt in Newcastle. On the podcast, we discuss John’s experiences where he mentions the variety of organisations has worked for. He discusses the challenges he has had when pursuing a career primarily in Newcastle. Offering that the experience of often not having a variety of prospects has led him to be resilient and self-motivated. Further, he discusses the manufacturing capabilities of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. Mentioning its place in the Manufacturing 4.0 model of the coming years. I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform. If there is someone you would like to see on the podcast reach out to me through the comments section or through social media, and I will be happy to get them on. Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link: https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/21475... LinkedIn: John Klinkenberg Roman Cherfan Lets Talk Design Instagram: @_letstalkdesign @cherfan_design
This week on Lets Talk Design I met with Spencer Nugent, founder of the widely popular ‘Sketch-a-day’ educational channel. Spencer's passion for sketching has led him to write a range of popular books as well as become an educator on Hector Silvas's Offsite online design education course.
On the podcast, we discuss Spenser’s design philosophy where he considers the detrimental effect of being too self-critical as a designer. We also discuss the environment that led him to create ‘Sketch-a-day’. Further, we discuss whether anyone can be great at sketching or if it is a pre-determined skill. Spencer also discusses his contribution to Offsite, discussing who this course is best suited to. Finally, we discussed the long-lasting effect his platform will have on the wider design community.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
If there is someone you would like to see on the podcast reach out to me through the comments section or through social media, and I will be happy to get them on.
LinkedIn:
Spencer Nugent
Sketch-A-Day
Roman Cherfan
Lets Talk Design
Instagram:
@sketchadaydotcom
@_letstalkdesign
@cherfan_design
Support the podcast by purchasing a Lemanoosh course through our affiliate link:
https://courses.lemanoosh.com/a/2147501260/yerfkFWE
This week on Lets Talk Design I met with Dan Armstrong, Founder of Formswell Design in Canberra. Dan paved his career at his time working for Breville, after moving to Canberra and starting his consultancy Formswell.
In the Podcast, we discuss Dan's career as an industrial designer where he lays out the key changes he has noticed over his time in the industry. We discuss Dan's passion for fostering community around design and how his constancy has worked to change the design landscape in Canberra. Further, Dan discussed key projects where he has implemented emerging technology with great success. To conclude dan gives advise to those aspiring to move into the Industrial design scene.
Thankyou to Dan and the team for providing his services in rebranding the podcast. If you like what you see you can reach out to Dan via formswell.com.au.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
If there is someone you would like to see on the podcast reach out to me through the comments section or through social media, and I will be happy to get them on.
LinkedIn:
Dan Armstrong
Formswell Design
Roman Cherfan
Lets Talk Design
Instagram:
@formswell_design
@_letstalkdesign
@cherfan_design
This week I met with Jonathan Tighe, Head of Industrial Design at Intellidesign. At Intellidesign Jonathan works on a range of commercial-grade products for the Agricultural, Defence, Medical, and other key commercial segments. Intellidesign operates out of Brisbane, manufacturing a large portion of their products in-house. Thus, they operate as an Australian electronics manufacturing firm producing products that have to withstand harsh environmental factors.
In the Podcast, we discuss Jonathan’s role as Head of ID and the challenges he faces when supporting this complex inhouse design/manufacturing team. Jonathan also gives his perspective on the current state of manufacturing in Australia and how he sees this industry evolving in the coming years. We discuss the environmental factors which often dictate the special design needs of the products created at Intellidesign, and how the team leverages designing against these factors.
I hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you do would you consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with a friend to help grow the platform.
If there is someone you would like to see on the podcast reach out to me through the comments section or through social media, and I will be happy to get them on.
LinkedIn:
Jonathan Tighe
Roman Cherfan
Instagram:
@intellidesign0
@cherfan_design