In this episode, I sit down with Natasha Wu, a product designer at Stripe, to talk about her journey, the challenges of designing for payments, and what it’s really like to work at a company renowned for its design culture. We dive into the unexpected realities of Stripe’s documentation-heavy approach, the struggles with imposter syndrome, and the future of AI in design—including what’s hype and what’s actually useful. Natasha also shares insights on how designers at Stripe influence high-stakes business decisions, build trust in financial products, and navigate the balance between craft and pragmatism.
(00:00) Intro – Who is Natasha Wu?02:01 What Stripe Designers Actually Work On
(05:49) Stripe’s Culture of Documentation & How It Shapes Design
(12:57) The Role of Designers at Stripe – More Than Just "Making Things Pretty"
(17:48) Designing for Trust – UX Challenges in Fintech
(24:26) How AI is (and isn’t) Changing Product Design
(30:58) Why Imposter Syndrome is So Common in Design
(42:05) IC vs. Management – Why Natasha Moved Back to IC
(50:41) What Makes Stripe’s Design Team Special
(57:05) The Hardest Design Problems in Fintech1:08:10 Natasha’s Advice for Designers
👉 If you're interested in fintech, B2B design, or the intersection of design and business strategy, this conversation is for you.Don’t miss it – watch or listen now!
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🙏 A huge thank you to Natasha for sharing her story and expertise!
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