Welcome to episode 15 of the UX Fika podcast. In this conversation sit down with Giles Colborne — design leader, strategist, author of Simple and Usable, and now founder of Made Simple.
We talk about his journey from studying physics to co-founding cxpartners, what it meant to grow it into one of the UK’s leading design consultancies, and the mixed emotions of eventually letting it go. Giles shares what he’s learned about leadership from both raising kids and leading teams, and why stepping back is sometimes the most powerful thing you can do.
Giles shares the three values he’s taken with him from cxpartners and what they actually mean, from making it easy for people to do great work, to how to be truly user centred, and lastly, find clarity and simplicity.
We also dive into why so many organisations still struggle to link design delivery with leadership goals, how AI is forcing companies to rethink the way they work, and what an AI-native organisation might look like.
It’s a thoughtful conversation about leadership, letting go, and designing organisations with the same care we bring to designing products.
Plus:
☕️ Why smoked salmon bagels is his go to fika
⭐ Why the best place for a fika is sometimes your own sofa
What we cover:
00:00 Introduction and Background
07:05 The Journey to cxpartners
12:01 Transitioning from cxpartners
16:51 Reflections on Human-Centered Design
21:42 The Impact of AI on User Experience
26:46 Core Values and Creating a Productive Environment
33:32 Understanding Human-Centered Design
37:59 The Role of AI in User Experience
41:18 The Future of Browsing and User Interaction
44:40 Finding Clarity and Simplicity in Design
54:00 Bridging the Gap Between Management and Delivery Teams
59:50 The Impact of AI on Organizational Structure
01:03:30 Agility in the Age of AI
01:06:48 Leadership and AI: A Shift in Dynamics
01:08:46 Empowering Teams: The Role of Trust
01:11:38 Creativity and Innovation in Design
01:14:48 The Future of Design: Embracing Change
01:18:45 Ethics and Human-Centered Design
01:20:09 Fika: A Personal Touch in Conversations
Where you’ll find Giles:
Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika: