This week on All Things Design, I sat down with Brendan Donghue — Head of Digital and Customer Experience at UniSuper — to explore how design leaders can prove ROI and translate creativity into real business outcomes.   Brendan shares his 25+ year journey across Optus, Telstra, NAB and now UniSuper, where he’s led outcome-driven transformations like shrinking a 12-week onboarding process to just 90 seconds and lifting digital engagement from 25% to over 85% — including 87% of members aged 60+.   We dive into how he reframes “no” into “show me how,” builds executive buy-in through prototypes and storytelling, and why understanding how the business makes money is non-negotiable for designers who want influence.   🔍 Key Topics Covered • Why designers must translate creativity into business language • How to build ROI-driven business cases for design • The story behind reducing onboarding from 12 weeks to 90 seconds • Lifting digital engagement across all ages (including over 60s) • The four traits of influential creative leaders: craft, leadership, business acumen, and entrepreneurial behavior • How to pitch bold ideas without self-censoring • Why relentlessness and risk-taking are essential for design leaders • Building trust with executives through prototypes, metrics, and storytelling   —   Resources: — Connect with Brendan Donghue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendandonoghue/?originalSubdomain=au   — Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign/   —   Timestamps: (00:49) — Introduction (00:50) — From Telstra to UniSuper: Brendan’s career journey (06:02) — The ROI of Design (10:24) — Why Designers Must Understand Business (15:48) — Relentlessness: The Trait Designers Need in Corporates (21:16) — Cutting Account Setup from 12 Weeks to 90 Seconds (29:33) — Owning Risk and Building Influence as a Leader (33:52) — Measuring ROI: Engagement, Cost to Serve, and Growth (42:04) — Selling Change with Storytelling and Prototypes (46:02) — Building Metrics That Matter to Executives (51:19) — Turning Prototypes Into Funding (52:11) — The Mindset Every Designer Needs to Create Impact (55:07) — Closing Reflections: Boldness, AI, and the Future of Design (58:26) — Outro: Solving Problems, Not Chasing AI   #designleadership  #uxdesign  #businessimpact  #digitaltransformation  #ROIofDesign #customerexperience  #humancentereddesign  #designthinking  #creativeleadership  #AllThingsDesign #JoeWoodham #BrendanDonghue

In this episode of All Things Design, I sit down with Charlie Sutton, SVP of Design at Atlassian, to unpack his journey from far north Queensland to Helsinki, Silicon Valley, and now Byron Bay, where he leads a global design team of over 600 people.   From shaping iconic mobile experiences at Nokia—including the legendary Nokia 8110 (the ‘Matrix’ phone) and the Nokia 3310—to building Atlassian’s design culture, Charlie shares leadership lessons that span continents, companies, and eras of design innovation.   We explore how Atlassian fosters connection in a distributed workforce through 2–3 “Intentional Togetherness” events each year, alongside in-person sprints, business meetings, and design gatherings that strengthen culture and collaboration.   Charlie also reflects on his leadership philosophy “Calm is smooth. Smooth is fast,” the role of rituals in team culture, the future of AI in design systems, and why great leadership is about creating environments where people can thrive.   Key Topics Covered   Charlie Sutton’s design journey: Queensland → Nokia → Silicon Valley → Atlassian   Nokia classics: 8110 (Matrix phone) & 3310 — design milestones   Leadership insights from Nokia Advanced Design Studio (article by Rhys: No Dickheads )   Leading Atlassian’s 600+ person global design team   Why Atlassian runs 2–3 “Intentional Togetherness” events per year   Rituals that matter for teams big and small   How design systems accelerate efficiency   Balancing remote work with in-person collaboration   Atlassian’s approach to AI in design & avoiding hype-driven adoption   Leadership mindset: Calm is smooth. Smooth is fast   🔗 Resources   — Article by Rhys (Head of Nokia Advanced Design): https://medium.com/@rhysys/no-dickheads-a-guide-to-building-happy-healthy-and-creative-teams-7e9b049fc57d   — Connect with Charlie Sutton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesutton/   — Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign/     ⏱️ Timestamps:   — Introduction to Charlie Sutton — From North Queensland to Silicon Valley & Helsinki — Lessons from Nokia’s design era — Moving to the Bay Area & design culture shifts — Leading Atlassian’s global design team of 600+ — Building rituals for small vs. large teams — The power of design systems for efficiency — Running global design events across cultures — Startup lessons for small design teams — Atlassian’s approach to AI in design — Avoiding the AI hype trap in product design — The future of AI-driven design systems — Leadership mantra: Calm is smooth, smooth is fast — Making time for team connections — Closing reflections & key takeaways     #CharlieSutton #AtlassianDesign #uxdesign  #designleadership  #aiindesign  #GlobalDesignTeams #designsystems  #productdesign  #futureofwork  #humancentereddesign  #LeadershipInDesign #uxstrategy  #designculture  #remoteleadership  #designinnovation

In this episode of All Things Design, I sit down with Michelle, co-founder of Juno, an AI-powered research platform that transforms how companies conduct qualitative user interviews. We explore her journey from industrial design and global field research to building a digital clone of herself—designed to evaluate interviews at scale with unmatched accuracy. Michelle shares her perspective on the costliest mistake companies make—listening to the loudest voice instead of the user’s voice—and explains how AI research is making customer understanding faster, cheaper, and more reliable than ever. We dive into the myths of user research, why startups avoid it, how AI is democratizing insights, and why being proven wrong can be the most valuable outcome of all.    Key Topics Covered: Michelle’s journey from industrial design to AI-driven research Why ignoring user research costs more than doing it Building a digital clone: scaling subject-matter expertise with AI How AI research reduces cost from $1200 to $20 per interview The psychology of founders avoiding research (fear vs. budget) How user insights directly connect to ROI and product success Common mistakes in user research (and how to fix them) Why AI + domain expertise beats traditional research teams The future of research and its role in product development  Resources:— Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejoygilmore/— Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign/   #UserResearch #AIResearch #UXDesign #FutureOfResearch #AIinBusiness #ProductDevelopment #StartupInsights #DesignLeadership #CustomerCentric #MichelleJuno #AIandUX

In this episode of All Things Design, I sit down with Don Norman, the godfather of UX, to explore his journey from coining the term "user experience" at Apple to his pioneering work at the Nielsen Norman Group. We delve into the evolving role of designers in the age of AI, discussing how AI might reshape the design process and where designers can add true value in business.   Don shares insights on everything from the history of UX design to his latest book on creating a better world through design. He offers invaluable advice for designers looking to bridge the gap between design craft and business leadership.   🔑 Key Topics Covered:   The history and evolution of UX design   AI’s impact on design jobs and how designers can remain relevant   The importance of understanding business operations for designers   How to navigate the challenges of transitioning from specialist to generalist   Don Norman’s legacy and what the future holds for UX design   📚 Resources:   🔗 Resources: — Connect with Don Norman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnorman/   — Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign/   ⏱️ Timestamps: — Introduction to Don Norman — Don's journey to coining the term "user experience" — The evolution of UX at Apple and beyond — The role of designers in a world dominated by AI — Designing for sustainability and the future — Don's new book and vision for a better world — The importance of interdisciplinary knowledge for designers — The future of AI in design and the role of human designers — How to advocate for design in the business world — Don’s thoughts on his legacy and future endeavors — Wrapping up: What’s next for UX and AI   🎯 Hashtags: #UXDesign #AIInDesign #DesignLeadership #UserExperience #AIandDesign #FutureOfDesign #SustainabilityInDesign #DonNorman #DesignForAGreaterWorld #DesignThinking #HumanCenteredDesign #TechForGood #DesignEvolution #AIInBusiness

In this episode, Jakob Nielsen, one of the original pioneers of usability and user-centered design, shares his thoughts on the future of design in the age of AI. With 42 years of experience, Jakob discusses the rapid evolution of design systems, how AI is changing the way we work, and the critical importance of agency in design. He stresses the need for designers to embrace new technologies, evolve with the times, and play an active role in shaping the future of design.   Jakob also dives into the concept of the "pancake effect"—how AI is shrinking teams, boosting productivity, and reshaping hierarchies in the workplace. He warns of the risks of AI denial within the design community and explains why it’s essential for designers to adapt to these technological advancements to stay relevant.   Whether you're a designer, product leader, or AI enthusiast, this conversation offers invaluable insights on the role of agency in the design process, the importance of keeping up with AI, and how AI will influence design jobs in the future.   🔑 Key Themes:   Jakob Nielsen's journey in design and usability   The evolution of design from mainframes to AI-driven systems   How AI will impact team sizes and productivity   The risks of AI denial and embracing change   The future of design agency in an AI-enabled world   The importance of adapting to AI to stay relevant in design   AI’s role in shaping the future of design careers   Productivity and creativity boosts with AI in design   The shift from command-based to intent-based design with AI   Why AI is not replacing designers but empowering them   🔗 Resources: — Connect with Jakob Nielsen on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakobnielsenphd/   — Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign/   ⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Jakob Nielsen’s Journey in Design 01:31 - The Early Days: From Mainframes to the Web Revolution 06:58- AI’s Impact on Productivity: The "Pancake" Effect 13:12 - The Future of Design Teams: Efficiency, AI, and Organizational Changes 18:01 - The Evolution of Design: AI’s Impact on Efficiency, Teams, and Tools 28:00 - AI for Career Growth and Shaping the Future of Design 34:10 - Embracing AI, Flattening Hierarchies, and the Role of Agency 38:48 - The Evolving Role of Design and Agency in the Age of AI 42:12 - Jakob’s Vision for the Next 5 to 10 Years in Design 50:09 - Where to Follow Jakob Nielsen and Stay Updated on UX Trends   #JakobNielsen #aiindesign  #Usability #designsystems  #AIRevolution #designagency  #futureofdesign  #techindesign  #designinnovation  #designcareers  #aiimpact  #UsabilityInDesign #designthinking  #designleadership  #AIAndUsability #PioneersInDesign #digitaltransformation  #AgencyInDesign #aifordesigners  #ProductivityInDesign #designcommunity

In this episode, Renuja Marshall, Experience Design Lead at IDP Education, shares her expertise in aligning user needs with business goals. She discusses her journey combining psychology with design and how it shapes the user experience. From the importance of thorough UX planning to working within business constraints, Renuja reveals the strategies and techniques that drive success in complex environments. Learn how to navigate between quick wins and sustainable design solutions while maintaining a focus on customer experience.   Whether you're a designer, product leader, or business strategist, this conversation provides invaluable insights on aligning design with business objectives and understanding the broader impact of design decisions.   🔑 Key Themes   Aligning UX with business strategy   Understanding customer needs through research   Balancing quick wins with long-term solutions   The importance of design systems for consistency   Overcoming business constraints to innovate   Educating the business on the value of UX   Building cross-functional collaboration   Designing for sustainability in business   How UX can drive product success   🔗 Resources — Connect with Renuja Marshall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renuja88marshall/   — Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign/   ⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Renuja's Design Journey 01:38 - Balancing Quick Wins vs. Thorough UX Planning 04:36 - Aligning Strategy, Stakeholders, and Design for Successful Projects 07:26 - Focus on the Customer: Build Personas Based on Real Insights 9:18 - Make Time for UX: Why Research Shouldn't Be Rushed 14:20 -Understanding the 'Why': Unlocking Deep Insights for Better Product Design 18:05- Ask the Right Questions, Not Just 'What' – Digging Deeper into User Needs 21:24 - Communication Over UX Jargon: Making Your Message Clear for All 23:35 - From "User" to "Customer" - The Key Shift in Design 25:24 - Connect with Renuja: LinkedIn for Direct Access   📌 Tags #uxdesign  #businessstrategy  #productdesign  #designsystems  #designleadership  #customerresearch  #stakeholdercommunication  #userexperience  #businessgoals  #designthinking  #sustainabledesign  #UXInnovation #designstrategy  #CrossFunctionalCollaboration #productsuccess

  In this episode, Bonnie Mooney, Head of Design at McMillan Shakespeare, shares her journey from hospitality to leading design in large enterprise environments. We dive deep into how designers can bridge the gap between customer needs and business goals. Bonnie discusses how to earn trust, secure funding, and prove design’s strategic value — even in high-stakes environments. Plus, insights into building a mixed team, aligning design with business needs, and leading teams to think like business leaders.   🔑 Key Themes   Bridging business goals with customer outcomes   Earning trust and securing budget for design   Building a team that works cross-functionally   Proving design's strategic value in high-stakes environments   The importance of educating stakeholders on design   Navigating design’s role during budget restrictions   Designing for customers and internal teams   How to get a seat at the table as a designer   Using design to help teams achieve business goals   Designing for impact, not just aesthetics   🔗 Resources — Connect with Bonnie Mooney on LinkedIn:      / bonniemooney     — Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn:      / joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign     ⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Bonnie Mooney’s Design Journey 10:39 - Choosing the Right Project to Pitch for Design Impact 14:13 - Aligning Design with Business Goals for Greater Impact 19:26 - Securing Funding and Understanding Business Needs 22:29 - The Key to Sustaining Design in Challenging Times 24:11 - Balancing Design Quality with Business Constraints 29:54 - Designing for Both Customers and Internal Teams 34:11 - Upskilling and Empowering Designers for Success 40:25 - Building Trust and Relationships to Drive Successful Design Projects 48:25 - Empowering Teams to Champion Design 51:20 - Turning Design into a Strategic Asset 53:23 - Where to Connect with Bonnie Mooney   📌 Tags design leadership, design strategy, business design, design in business, product design, customer-centric design, design thinking, business outcomes, design education, cross-functional design teams, design for business success, design value, design mindset, stakeholder engagement, design for impact, design and business alignment, enterprise design, Bonnie Mooney, McMillan Shakespeare design, business goals, design for customer experience, enterprise design thinking

In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving relationship between AI and design with Christina (CJ) Jones from Canva. We explore how AI is transforming workflows, empowering designers, and reshaping how products are built and used. From upskilling teams, experimenting with tools, and driving innovation, to making AI feel invisible and intuitive for users — this is a masterclass in future-proofing design.   Whether you’re a designer, product leader, or AI enthusiast, this conversation is packed with insights on how to lead with curiosity, adopt the right tools, and build responsibly in the AI era.    🔑 Key Themes -Empowering design teams to experiment with AI tools -Balancing deep focus with rapid tool evaluation -Creating intuitive AI experiences inside Canva -Using LLMs for critique, ideation & research -Shifting designer mindsets from fear to curiosity -Building responsibly with data privacy in mind -Multimodal interfaces as the future of design -Adapting workflows around AI strengths and limits -How AI is shaping the future of design careers -Designing for invisible AI that feels natural   🔗 Resources   — Connect with Christina (CJ) Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonesish/ — Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign/   ⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: CJ's role at Canva 02:42 - Major AI innovations: Canva AI & Canva Code 03:32 - Making AI-powered experiences simple and useful for everyone 07:36 – Learning from user feedback: Lightweight editing before full design 09:45 - Upskilling through shared knowledge 11:56 – Creating space for focused AI exploration without burnout 14:43 - Structure for evaluating tools efficiently 16:17 - Canva’s internal AI Everywhere initiative 22:47 – Why AI won’t replace designers: Mindset shifts & creative partnership 25:31 – Designing invisible, intuitive AI that meets users where they are 31:14 – The future of prompting: From text to multimodal interfaces 33:35 – How to upskill as a designer in the AI era 37:37 - Using LLMs for critique and ideation 43:35 – Where designers should focus next in the AI era 45:07 – Will design teams shrink or evolve? 48:12 - Final thoughts & where to connect with CJ 📌 Tags #AIUX #DesignLeadership #GenAIDesign #Canva #ProductDesign #DesignCulture #AIProductDevelopment #CreativeLeadership #DesignStrategy #InclusiveDesign

This week on All Things Design, I sat down with Steve Packham — Chief Design Officer at Macquarie Group — to dive deep into how to build a thriving design team from the ground up.   We explored what it takes to scale from a solo designer to leading a 40+ person team, the mindset shifts required to lead with empathy, and how to embed feedback, play, and psychological safety into your team’s culture.   Whether you're just starting out in design leadership or scaling a team in a complex organization, this episode is packed with insights on what makes design teams truly thrive.   🔍 Key Topics Covered   • Growing a design team from 1 to 40+   • Leading without a traditional design background   • Using design thinking to guide leadership decisions   • Building a culture of play, safety, and feedback   • Overcoming impostor syndrome   • The power of iteration over perfection   🔗 Resources   — Connect with Steve Packham on LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-packham-63a82999     — Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign/     ⏱️ Timestamps   (00:00) — Introduction - Steve’s journey into design (01:25) — Building a strong culture in a design team (03:57) — Prototyping everything: a mindset for leadership (05:14) — The leadership is facilitation in slow motion (05:50) — Embracing Imposter Syndrome: Why It Means You’re Growing (07:40) — Why Feedback Culture Is the Backbone of Great Design Teams (17:54) — Why a Culture of Play Drives Creativity and Team Bonding (20:29) — Building Inclusive Team Culture and Fostering Collaboration (21:42) — Fostering a Collaborative Team Environment (26:49) — Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning & Growth (34:08) — Balancing Excellence with Progress & Building Culture from Scratch (36:31) — How Designers Can Drive Change Without Authority (40:16) — Earn Trust First, Evangelize Design Later       🏷 Hashtags   #DesignLeadership #TeamCulture #UXDesign #FeedbackCulture #CreativeLeadership #AllThingsDesign #JoeWoodham #StevePackham #ProductDesign #DesignThinking #PsychologicalSafety

This week, I sat down with Riley Coleman — design leader, ethical AI strategist, and founder of AI Flywheel — to explore what it really means to build AI literacy inside design teams and organizations. We unpacked the real risks of waiting, what “trustworthy AI” actually looks like, and how design leaders can guide their teams responsibly through this transformation. This one’s packed with actionable takeaways for designers, product leaders, and execs navigating AI today. — Key Themes:— Why design leaders must build AI literacy now— The business risks of staying still— Three layers of designing with AI: literacy, integration, and trust— How to evaluate AI tools without compromising privacy— The emotional impact of AI on team identity and leadership— Communicating the value of design in an AI-first world — Resources:— Visit AI Flywheel: https://ai-flywheel.com— Connect with Riley Coleman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riley-coleman-a185754/— Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodham/ — Timestamps:(00:00) — Why not training for AI is putting your team at risk(05:05) — Australia’s shift to mandatory AI regulation(10:03) — Why fact-checking AI is a human responsibility(15:01) — ChatGPT can’t replace real skill—here’s why(20:03) — Is AI giving you time back or creating noise?(25:00) — How to choose the right AI tools for your team(30:01) — Why corporate blockers are hurting your AI readiness(35:02) — Interface design and the illusion of intelligence(40:04) — Most AI prompts don’t work—here’s the fix(45:04) — Designers must lead responsibly with AI(50:04) — Final thoughts: Trust, ethics, and moving forward — #AILiteracy #DesignLeadership #FutureOfWork #ResponsibleAI #AllThingsDesign_Torii #JoeWoodham #RileyColeman

This week, I sat down with Brad Alphonso, Senior Manager of Service Design at Bupa, to talk about what design leadership really looks like today. We went deep on the shift from generalist to specialist, how to communicate design’s value in business terms, and the role leaders play in creating space for real innovation. Brad brings a brilliant perspective on strategic design, and this one’s packed with takeaways you can apply straight away.   Key Themes: Specialist vs generalist design skillsets Design as a business problem-solving tool Communicating design’s value to stakeholders Creating space for strategic conversations Building high-impact service design teams Resources: For more about Torii Consulting: https://toriiconsulting.com.au/ Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodham/ Connect with Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-alphonso-637914126/ Timestamps: (0:00) - Introduction (1:00) - Communicating Design Impact to Stakeholders (5:41) - Understanding Stakeholder Needs (11:20) - Aligning Design with Business Objectives (24:01) - Proving the Value of Design (32:13) - Redefining Design: From Aesthetic to Problem Solving 40:17) - Transitioning from Designer to Design Leader (45:49) - Rebranding Design Leadership

Join me in this insightful episode featuring Abi Iyer, a leading expert in design leadership and UX team management. We explore practical strategies for scaling UX design teams, building ownership-driven cultures, and hiring critical thinkers over mere problem solvers. Abi provides invaluable insights on why successful scaling isn't about headcount but about cultivating the right mindset. Key Themes- Why scaling people doesn’t work- Building ownership-driven teams- Problem solvers vs critical thinkers- Hiring for mindset, not just skills- Evolving team chemistry for success Resources - For more information about Torii: https://toriiconsulting.com.au/- Follow Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodham/- Follow Abi Iyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iyer/ (0:00) - Introduction(1:09) - From Design to Strategy: The Evolution of a Designer(7:18) - The Importance of Communication in Design(9:00) - Building a Design Team: Challenges and Growth(10:57) - Scaling Design: Strategies for Success(17:31) - Finding the Right Talent: Interviewing for Success(29:46) - Building a Cohesive Team Culture(38:42) - Scaling Operations in a Rapidly Growing Company(18:45) - Practical ways to evolve team culture(43:33) - Strategic Planning for Future Growth #DesignLeadership #UXDesign #ProductDesign #TeamManagement #ScalingUX #DesignTeamCulture #UXHiring #DesignStrategy #UXManagement #CriticalThinking

AI is moving fast... but that doesn’t mean designers are done. In today's episode, I sit down with Sharbani Dhar, to unpack what designers must do to stay relevant. We explore human-centred AI, the skills that still matter, and why great design goes way beyond UI. If you’re a designer wondering how to future-proof your career, this one’s for you. Key Themes: Will AI replace designers? The future of design leadership Human-centred AI in practice Accessibility as a strategy What’s beyond the UI iceberg Resources: For more about Torii Consulting: https://toriiconsulting.com.au/ Follow Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodham/ Connect with Sharbani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharbanidhar/ Timestamps:(0:00) - Introduction(1:03) - Will AI Take Over the Design Industry?(6:29) - How Designers & Leaders Can Stay Ahead of AI(9:26) - The Hidden Risks of Relying on AI Tools(18:12) - How to De-Risk the Use of AI(20:17) - Building a Team That’s AI-Literate(23:19) - What a Responsible AI Framework Looks Like(26:50) - How to Upskill Your Design Team in AI(29:57) - AI Will Not Replace You… If You Do This(33:53) - The Fastest Way to Level Up Your Design Career(37:50) - The Secret to Smarter Design Teams Produced by Reidentify.co

In this episode, I chat with product design leader Lisa Jacquiot about a topic that hits close to home, burnout. Lisa shares her personal story of hitting the wall and how a toxic environment nearly ended her career in design.  We unpack how burnout shows up in creative teams, why designing for stakeholders (not users) is a red flag, and how leaders can spot the early warning signs before it’s too late.  This episode is real, raw, and full of takeaways for any design leader! Key Themes Discussed:- Burnout in high-pressure design teams- Losing meaning in stakeholder-driven work- Early signs of mental fatigue in creatives- Protecting creativity in fast-paced cultures- Leadership’s role in preventing burnout Resources:- For more information about Torii: https://toriiconsulting.com.au/- Follow Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodham- Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisajacquiot/ Timestamps(0:00) - Introduction(1:20) - Lisa's burnout story: The hidden cost of design work(3:30) - Spotting the triggers for burnout(5:30) - Designing for stakeholders vs designing for users(8:38) - How burnout impacts creativity and decision-making(11:05) - How burnout affects those around you(13:04) - The answer to burnout (practical solutions!)(18:11) - Signals that your team are close to burning out(20:08) - How to create a Burnout-proof work environment(23:03) - Improving the general mental health of your team(27:12) - All leaders need to do this! Produced by Reidentify: https://reidentify.co/

In today’s episode, I chat with Simone Attansio about the real shift designers face, moving from doing it all solo to thriving in a team environment. We dig into the pressure startups place on designers to wear every hat, why that’s unsustainable, and how true impact comes from collaboration.  If you’re scaling your design career or building a team, this one’s packed with insight! Key Themes: • Startup culture and solo designer pressure • The hidden risks of “doing it all” • Moving from execution to collaboration • Why real design leadership needs a team • The evolution of UX in fast-growth companies Resources:For more information about Torii Consulting: https://toriiconsulting.com.au/Follow Joe Woodham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodham/ Timestamps:(0:00) - Introduction(2:30) - Simone’s journey into UX and startups(6:10) - The pressure of solo design in startups(10:05) - Why one designer can’t do it all(15:00) - Shifting from solo to team player(18:20) - How collaboration unlocks better design(23:00) - Scaling UX teams sustainably(27:15) - Aligning UX with business goals(31:00) - Future trends for design leadership(36:15) - Final advice for designers and leaders(38:30) - Where to connect with Simone This podcast is produced by Reidentify: https://reidentify.co

<p>In today’s episode, Scott Howard and I dive into one of the trickiest parts of design leadership, how to measure the impact of your work...</p><p><br /></p><p>Whether you’re a junior designer or a senior working on strategic initiatives, this chat unpacks how to think commercially, define success metrics, and track real ROI, especially when you’re working as an enabler, not an owner. So many good takeaways in here!</p><p><br /></p><p>💡 Key Themes</p><p>- Commercial thinking for junior designers</p><p>- Strategic design in B2B vs B2C</p><p>- Enabling metrics vs business metrics</p><p>- How to track internal adoption</p><p>- Proving ROI without owning the product</p><p><br /></p><p>🔗 Resources</p><p>- For more on Torii Consulting: https://toriiconsulting.com.au/</p><p>- Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodham/</p><p>- Follow Scott Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthowarddesign/</p><p><br /></p><p>This podcast is produced by Reidentify.co</p><p><br /></p><p>⏱️ Timestamps</p><p>(0:00) – Introduction</p><p>(1:20) – Tying design back to business objectives as a designer</p><p>(5:45) – What “design maturity” really means in orgs</p><p>(8:30) – The role of a design team when you’re not customer-facing</p><p>(12:15) – B2B vs B2C: Why metrics get messier in enterprise</p><p>(15:10) – Enabling design vs owning product design</p><p>(18:45) – Internal adoption metrics and what they mean</p><p>(22:50) – Advice for junior designers on thinking strategically</p><p>(25:30) – Defining success before you even start a project</p><p>(27:00) – Measuring outcomes when you’re not directly customer-facing</p><p>(29:40) – Final takeaways and where to connect with Scott</p><p><br /></p><p>#DesignLeadership #UXStrategy #BusinessDesign #ProductDesign #DesignThinking #UXMetrics #DigitalTransformation #ScottHoward #AllThingsDesign </p><p><br /></p>

<p>What if aiming for failure was the secret to breakthrough innovation?In this episode of All Things Design, Joe Woodham sits down with Shane Burford, Head of Design at Car Group (parent company of carsales.com.au), to unpack how Shane&#39;s team builds risk into their design process to unlock global-scale growth.Shane shares the four-step framework his team uses to validate ideas, why they shoot for a 50% fail rate, and how they turn risky ventures into scalable solutions across markets like Australia, Brazil, and South Korea. 🌏We dive into: ✅ How to align design with C-Suite decision-making✅ Building internal trust and alignment with stakeholders✅ Crafting pitches that win executive buy-in✅ Real-world lessons from launching a payments product in under 7 months✅ Why designers must learn to &quot;speak business&quot; to get their ideas across🔔 Don&#39;t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.👉 Connect with Shane Burford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneburford/#DesignLeadership #ProductDesign #BusinessDesign #AllThingsDesign #CarGroup #Innovation #StartupMindset</p>

<p>In this episode of <em>All Things Design</em>, host Joe Woodham sits down with Andy Warboys, VP of Design at Learnosity, to unpack the real journey of turning design teams into strategic business assets.</p><p>From starting as a solo designer to leading a globally distributed team, Andy shares how to build alignment between design and business goals, navigate leadership transitions, foster psychological safety, and harness the power of AI in product development. Plus, you&#39;ll hear practical insights on creating a culture of continuous learning and why understanding your team&#39;s personalities makes all the difference.</p><p>If you&#39;re a design leader, an aspiring one, or just curious about how design drives real business outcomes — this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.</p><p><strong>In this conversation, you&#39;ll learn:</strong></p><ul><li><p>How to speak the language of business as a designer</p></li><li><p>Building trust and psychological safety in design teams</p></li><li><p>Strategies for aligning design with company-wide goals</p></li><li><p>How Learnosity is using AI for content creation and grading</p></li><li><p>Creating a culture of learning and growth in your team</p></li><li><p>Lessons from growing a remote, global design team</p></li><li><p>And yes, the story behind Andy’s last name “Warboys”!</p></li></ul><p><strong>Connect with Andy Warboys:</strong><br>🔗https://www.linkedin.com/in/andycrozier/</p><p><br></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow <em>All Things Design</em> for more conversations with top design leaders driving digital transformation.</p>

<p>In this episode, Joe sits down with strategic service designer Glenn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennveugen/overlay/about-this-profile/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Veugen</a> to explore the deeper purpose of design in business—and why it’s <em>so much more</em> than pushing pixels. From his early days experimenting with 3D modeling to helping businesses understand the return on design investment, Glenn shares how designers can (and should) speak the language of business.</p><p>Expect insights on:</p><ul><li><p>Aligning user needs with business goals</p></li><li><p>Why design leaders must embrace financial metrics</p></li><li><p>De-risking projects through service design</p></li><li><p>The power of asking the right questions</p></li><li><p>Building trust with stakeholders by taking them on the journey</p></li></ul><p>Whether you’re a junior designer, a product leader, or just curious about how design shapes better businesses, this convo is packed with practical wisdom and a few laughs too.</p><p>💡 <em>“Would you pay yourself to do this for your own business?”</em> — a question every designer should ask.</p>

<p>In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Hector Serrano, Director of Research &amp; Design at JobAdder. Hector shares how he transformed a UI-only team into a strategic design powerhouse, elevating the role of design across the organization.From scaling a design team to speaking the language of executives, this episode is packed with insights for design leaders, UX professionals, and anyone looking to make design matter at the business level.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more conversations with top design leaders!⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Meet Hector Serrano01:00 – Why Hector became a designer02:00 – His early career at Peugeot and product design03:00 – From industrial design to software and UX05:00 – Working in banking: constraints and lessons learned06:00 – Joining JobAdder and the design maturity journey07:00 – Moving from UI to UX and strategic design08:30 – Educating the org on design value10:00 – A product launch failure that reshaped the team12:00 – How design stepped up to solve user issues14:00 – Using data and research to build trust in design16:00 – Becoming a data-informed, design-led team18:00 – Aligning design metrics with business outcomes20:00 – From feature design to industry research22:00 – Presenting to the CEO: how Hector communicates impact24:00 – Building a design-led culture26:00 – What CEOs really want to hear from design28:00 – Communicating without jargon: framing design for execs30:00 – What makes a “Hector Report” worth sharing32:00 – Reassessing jobs to be done and agency personas34:00 – Every team member is responsible for selling design35:00 – Empowering your design team to speak up📩 Want to connect with Hector?Find him on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectorserral/#DesignLeadership #UXDesign #ProductDesign #DesignStrategy #DesignMaturity #JobAdder #AllThingsDesign #DigitalTransformation #MONEY</p>