Hello everyone, and welcome back to the ‘Nodes of Design’ podcast! I’m Tejj, and today we have a very special guest joining us. Our show is all about exploring the intersections of design, technology, and human connection, and today we’re in for a treat.

It’s my pleasure to introduce James Song– a seasoned design executive with over 20 years of experience building teams, products, and brands that sit at the nexus of digital innovation and tangible human experiences. James is currently the VP of Design at Tinder, where he leads the charge on brand, product, and content design as well as user research. His impressive career also includes being the Head of Design for Meta AI Research, where he helped develop next-generation experiences driven by breakthrough AI research. Prior to that, he was Director of Product Design at Uber, responsible for platform services, micromobility, design systems, and user research – all aimed at building smarter cities and enhancing how we move. And before all of that, as a Creative Director at frog design, he led teams to drive human-centered innovation at the intersection of design, technology, and brand for both enterprises and early-stage startups.

Today, we’re excited to dive into a topic that’s resonating deeply with our community – ‘Designing for Collision.’ This theme encapsulates how unexpected, sometimes even serendipitous, interactions in our hyper-connected world can spark creativity and lead to truly innovative solutions.
So, whether you’re a seasoned design professional, a beginner, or simply curious about how technology is reshaping human connections, stay tuned – this conversation is bound to offer insights, practical advice, and a lot of inspiration.

Nodes of Wisdom Book : https://amzn.in/d/4X22xU9

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

In this enlightening episode of Nodes of Design, we dive deep into the concept of Ikigai with Alice Au Quan, exploring how this Japanese philosophy can help design a purposeful and fulfilling career. Alice shares her expertise on applying Ikigai to discover the sweet spot between passion, talent, societal needs, and financial sustainability.

We tackle common misconceptions about finding career purpose and discuss how design thinking can bridge these gaps. Alice opens up about her personal journey, revealing how she has applied Ikigai principles to navigate challenges and create a meaningful work life. We also explore actionable strategies for uncovering your passions and talents, using them as a foundation to transition into a dream career.

Listeners will gain insights on incorporating Ikigai into design practices to craft products and experiences that inspire purpose. Alice also shares her perspective on how the philosophy of Ikigai evolves in a world shaped by automation and AI. Tune in for practical wisdom and inspiration to design a career aligned with your true self!

Alice Au Quan, a design executive, futurist, and quantum thinker with an outstanding track record of driving innovation. Alice champions a human-centered, design-first approach to business, believing it can shape a better future for everyone. Over the past two decades, this belief has fueled her leadership journey, helping companies leverage cutting-edge technologies—such as Generative AI, LLMs, AR and blockchain—to identify untapped opportunities, solve user needs, and accelerate growth.

She has since held design leadership roles at global companies like Google, Walmart eCommerce, and Procter & Gamble, as well as at high-growth startups in Fintech, like Ripple where she has crafted transformative user experiences. Fun fact, she even worked on MOSAIC, the first internet browser!

A creative and business leader, Alice's career spans UX, product, and brand design, consistently delivering user value and business impact, earning her multiple patents. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in inclusivity and compassion, with Ikigai and purpose-driven leadership central to her mission.

Ways to connect with Alice:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aliceauquan/ Website: aliceauquan.com

Instagram: aliceauquan

X: @aliceQdesign

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

#design #creativity #life #purpose #career

Benedikt is a seasoned design executive with the heart of a maker and 20+ years of deep expertise in creating impactful products people love and leading the world-class teams that make them. His leadership has shaped how hundreds of millions of people interact with technology.

Benedikt is the founder of 74West, a hands-on advisory practice where he partners closely 1:1 with CEOs and boards who are at pivotal moments with their business. Combining his proven, practical frameworks for transformational leadership with cutting-edge research, Benedikt helps company leaders forge exceptional teams, strategies, and tactics to deliver products that inspire customer love and thus create lasting business value.

Benedikt also serves as an Entrepreneurship & Design Fellow at Princeton University, where he teaches aspiring entrepreneurs both during the academic year (“Creating value in the real world”) and the eLab summer program at the Keller Center. His research explores the convergence of entrepreneurship, humanistic design, and business leadership with a focus on AI and co-creativity, neuroaesthetics, and the socio-economic responsibility of design.

As a board member of the Design Executive Council (DXC) Benedikt helps shape the standards of humanistic design and strategic leadership as AI transforms experience design and business strategy.

Until January 2025, Benedikt was the Chief Design Officer at Stark tackling Digital Accessibility which he sees as “one of this century’s biggest design problems that’s affecting 2B+ people on the planet.”

As Chief Design Officer of SAP, he led 1000+ designers, researchers, and engineers, reporting directly to SAP’s Executive Board to transform the customer experience across the company’s portfolio. 

As a design executive at Microsoft, he directed key UX teams including Office and M365 Experiences while leading the evolution of the Fluent design system and aligning Microsoft’s mobile apps across platforms.

Benedikt joined Microsoft through the $150M+ acquisition of Wunderlist, where he was Chief Design Officer. He scaled the product team to 70 people and helped secure funding from Atomico and Sequoia Capital.

Benedikt is also the author of Typoguide, an international keynote speaker and angel investor in design-driven startups. His award-winning work has been featured in publications worldwide.

Born in Saarland, Germany to a family of craftspeople, Benedikt’s appreciation for purposeful, well-crafted work runs deep. He divides his time between Princeton, NJ and Kingston, NY.

You can follow Benedikt here:

Web: www.benediktlehnert.com

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/benediktlehnert

Newsletter: benediktlehnert.substack.com

DXC Profile: https://www.designexecutivecouncil.com/articles/introducing-benedikt-lehnert-and-his-ideas-on-radical-self-inquiry-and-creative-leadership

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

In this episode of Nodes of Design, we sit down with Andy Budd to explore his fascinating journey from being a designer to thriving as a venture capitalist. Andy shares how his design and product expertise shape his investment strategies and help founders build impactful startups.

We dive into the seven key factors that drive growth, the common mistakes founders make with their early products, and the challenges of being the first design or product hire in a startup. Andy also unpacks where growth design fits in today’s landscape and sheds light on why most early-stage growth advice misses the mark. Plus, he tackles one of the most misunderstood strategies in the startup world product-led growth (PLG) and reveals the mistakes he sees founders making time and time again.

Whether you're a designer, product enthusiast, or aspiring founder, this episode is packed with insights to level up your understanding of design, growth, and venture capital.

About Andy Budd

Andy is a Design Leader turned investor, advisor and coach. He's a Venture Partner at Seedcamp, one of the top ranked seed funds in Europe. His new book "The Growth Equation" aims to help startups land their first million in revenue and reach Product Market Fit.

A product person at heart, Andy previously founded Clearleft (the first UX agency in the UK), Leading Design and UX London. He's a founding member of the Adobe Design Circle and has appeared on both the Wired 100 and BIMA 100 lists. Andy once worked as a shark diver and recently qualified as a pilot.

Andy Budd Book: The Growth Equation: How Early Stage Startups Can Build a Powerful Engine for Growth

The Growth Equation is the new book by design founder turned startup investor, advisor, and coach, Andy Budd. In it he explores the challenges most early-stage founders face; from launching your product, finding your first customers, and figuring out what to charge; to improving acquisition, onboarding, and retention; in order to land your first million in revenue and beyond.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

#design #creativity #ux #vc #business

Stan Rapp is a Ukrainian product designer who currently resides in the US. With 15 years of experience in design, including a decade in design leadership roles, Stan is currently leading a mission-critical design team at Asana. Before Asana, Stan scaled design teams at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Ford. Stan has won multiple design awards, including SF Design Week, TechCrunch Disrupt, Red Dot, and Innovation by Design from FastCompany. In this eye-opening episode of Nodes of Design, we dive deep into the world of workplace dynamics with Stan Rapp, a Ukrainian product designer leading mission-critical teams at Asana. With 15 years of experience and a track record of scaling design teams at major organizations, Stan offers invaluable insights on navigating power and politics at work.

Discover:

• Strategies for effective conflict resolution
• Tips for navigating office politics while maintaining integrity
• Real-life stories of power dynamics in action
• The impact of company structure on team dynamics
• Future trends in workplace power structures with the rise of hybrid work and AI

Whether you're a design professional, team leader, or anyone looking to advance their career, Stan's practical advice and personal experiences will equip you with the tools to thrive in today's complex work environments. Don't miss this candid discussion on the often unspoken realities of professional life.

Get a Copy of the Nodes of Wisdom: Lesson from 100 Creative Visionaries on Amazon - https://amzn.in/d/02yZPlUj

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

We have a truly exceptional guest who has shaped the digital world as we know it. Please welcome Jae Park, a design visionary with over 25 years of experience crafting experiences that resonate with millions. He brings his design leadership to lead new business innovations and build design teams at scale. He seeks to bridge business and technology goals with humanity.

Jae has been at the forefront of innovation, leading design teams at tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. His work has redefined how we interact with technology, from pioneering the Echo Show to revolutionizing the way we collaborate with Google Workspace.

Currently, Jae is leading the charge at Ford Model e, where he's building the future of mobility. His focus on human-centered design and sustainability is inspiring a new generation of connected experiences.

Join us as we delve into Jae's inspiring journey, his insights on the intersection of design, and our topic Synergy in Design: Unpacking Collaboration.

We'll be diving deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of bringing together creative minds to build exceptional products.

Today, we'll be discussing topics such as:

• The journey of a designer and advice for those starting out
• The role of collaboration in a designer’s growth
• Building a collaborative environment with diverse teams
• The impact of remote work on design collaboration
• Balancing individual creativity with team dynamics
• Overcoming challenges in collaborative projects
• The future of design collaboration with AI

Get a Copy of the Nodes of Wisdom: Lesson from 100 Creative Visionaries on Amazon - https://amzn.in/d/02yZPlUj

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

Today, we're celebrating a milestone achievement. Thanks to you, our incredible listeners, Nodes of Design has been ranked as one of the Top 6 Design Podcasts in Brazil on Apple Podcasts charts!

And what better way to celebrate this milestone than with a first in Nodes of Design history? Today, we're joined by not one, but three amazing guests from across Latin America to explore the vibrant and diverse design landscape of the region. We'll discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities that are shaping the future of design in LATAM.

Joining us we have Rafael Brandão, a Product Experience professional passionate about Arts and Technology. For more than 15 years I've been working in several Advertising Agencies, Design Offices, Startups, and big companies such as Globo, Telecine, Warner Bros Discovery, and iFood.

Raul Queiroz with over 25 years of multidisciplinary experience in design, art direction, and illustration,. As a seasoned creative leader and mentor known for delivering design excellence in healthcare digital products at Rede D'Or, Brazil's largest healthcare company, he leads a team of talented designers, managing quality and standards across the company's full digital product ecosystem.

Karina Tronkos (a.k.a. Nina Talks) a design mentor and content creator (+128k on @ninatalks) with a background in computer science from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has won the Apple Swift Student Challenge from 2017 to 2021. And also a LinkedIn Top Voice Gen Z, TEDx speaker, and passionate about books, Star Wars, and a lifelong learner.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

Wolfgang Bremer is a German-Canadian award-winning design veteran with 20+ years of experience and a rare combination of design & product knowledge. He currently serves as the Vice President of Design at Volkswagen Group Charging.

As a design leader in multiple Fortune 500 companies and highly funded startups, Wolfgang has managed global design teams and worked on products used by tens of millions of users in 190+ countries.

Equipped with an entrepreneurial mindset, creative problem-solving skills, and an excellent eye for detail, he drives product design & development and creates outstanding consumer & business products. In short, Wolfgang likes building products and simplifying people’s lives.

In this episode, we'll delve into the exciting world of EV charging experiences.

Wolfgang will share his insights on how consumer attitudes towards EVs have shifted, and the key trends shaping the design of these experiences. We'll explore the challenges and opportunities in creating accessible and user-friendly charging stations that stand out in a growing market.

Looking ahead, Wolfgang will share his vision for the future of EV charging – where convenience, innovation, and sustainability intersect.

But this episode isn't just about design! We'll also get a glimpse into Wolfgang's creative process, how he balances business needs with creative freedom, and how he fosters a culture of innovation within his team. We'll even hear some personal stories and lessons learned from overcoming creative roadblocks.

So, buckle up and get ready to be charged up about the future of EV charging!

Socials of Wolfgang:

https://bremer.co

https://linkedin.com/in/WolfgangBremer

https://threads.net/WolfgangBremer

https://twitter.com/WolfgangBremer

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

Gloria Osardu, Ph.D., is an industry-agnostic senior business executive with over 16 years of extensive experience driving business strategy with insights. She has successfully led UX/customer insights and analytics teams, providing the right research, data, insights, and opportunities to leaders. Gloria ensures that business decisions and product prioritizations are made with accurate information and customer insights.

Throughout her career, Gloria has built, led, and scaled research and insights teams consisting of researchers, analysts, operations managers, and UX/CX insights experts. She has driven strategy at renowned global companies including Fortune 100 organizations, public sector entities, as well as startups.

Currently serving as the head of global product experience research at Gusto, Gloria is responsible for setting and executing a compelling vision and strategy for customer and user insights. Her teams deliver insights and customer empathy programs which derisks and drive the design and build of best-in-class Payroll and HR solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Before this role, Gloria also held leadership positions in global research teams across various industries such as SaaS, Education, Finance/Fintech, and Public Sector.

Gloria firmly believes that durable business and customer insights derived from thorough research are crucial in today's era of big data decision-making processes and AI-driven innovation. This approach helps de-risk business decisions as well as expand perspectives around the user experience. Gloria is passionate about promoting fair, ethical, and accessible practices in the field of research and advocates for building technology innovation for ALL. Outside work, Gloria spends time exploring the world, building the next generation of researchers + creatives, and spending time with her family.

In this insightful interview, Gloria O-B Osardu, Ph.D. shares her journey into the field of UX research and design. She discusses how she got started and provides valuable advice for those aspiring to leadership roles. Osardu defines strong UX research leadership, highlighting key principles like fostering collaboration, managing diverse perspectives, and building high-performing teams. She delves into her decision-making process for major research initiatives and strategies for upholding diversity and inclusion. Osardu also touches on balancing business objectives with user needs, and where she sees UX research heading with the rise of AI. Finally, she shares a glimpse into her daily life as a leader, how she continues learning and growing, and recommends books and people that inspire her in this space.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

Aditi Sharma is an award-winning design executive passionate about inclusive, ethical, sustainable, and human-centered innovation. She is the recipient of the prestigious 'Dr. Sarojini Naidu Award' from the Govt. of India, '40 under 40' award from Business Elite, 'Woman Who Builds' award by Globant, and was named an inspirational woman in STEM by the Authority Magazine. As a lecturer at Pratt, Aditi curated one of the top ten UX programs offered in the United States. Aditi is a published design practitioner, is regularly invited to share her thought leadership across print, keynotes, and podcasts, such as for CampaignLive, Business Insider, AI & Data Analytics Network, Interaction Design Association, Brave UX, Authority Magazine, Inclusive Design Association, Customer Experience Network, Finance Magnates, South by Southwest (SXSW), and Product-Led Alliance (PLA) to name a few. As the Head of Design & Research at Amazon, Aditi manages a global team that leads the customer experience for 30+ Fintech products to help track revenue, usage, costs, and forecasts for AWS. Previously, as the Head of Payments Design/ Executive Director of Digital Experience Design at J.P. Morgan & Chase, Aditi set up a global design practice to build intelligent enterprise Fintech platforms. Prior to that, at Accenture Interactive, she strategized and executed customer-centric design engagements for clients such as Walmart, DuPont, and Cargill. She continues to explore the dynamism of creativity to deliver customer outcomes at the intersection of human excellence, business profitability, and technical innovation. 

Today, we're diving into Scaling Design teams with Aditi Sharma. Aditi will share her journey into design, tips for scaling design teams, and her vision for the future of design. Stay tuned for insights on aligning teams, hiring strategies, and managing feedback loops. We'll also explore how Aditi approaches challenges and stays inspired in her daily routine. Get ready for an insightful conversation with Aditi Sharma on the Nodes of Design podcast!

Books Recommendations      

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari 
Find Your Why by Simon Sinek 
Think Again, Adam Grant

Creative Confidence, David and Tom Kelley

Thank you for listening to this episode of Nodes of Design. We hope you enjoy the Nodes of Design Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms- Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more.

If this episode helped you understand and learn something new, please share and join the knowledge-sharing community Spreadknowledge.

This podcast aims to make design education accessible to all. Nodes of Design is a non-profit and self-sponsored initiative by Tejj.

Keywords: Design teams, design hiring, scaling design teams, design thinking, Amazon Design, Design systems, Design leadership