Pixelated Path

The Art of Self-Awareness in Design: Insights from Dean Broadley

Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Chris Abad sits down with Dean Broadley, a design leader who transformed a banking design team of 150+ people and founded Designing Humans. Dean shares his unconventional journey from teenage comic book designer to design leadership, revealing why self-awareness is the missing ingredient in most design teams. Learn why Dean believes mistakes are your greatest assets, how to identify when designers are stuck, and practical techniques to foster growth through reframing and embracing discomfort. About Dean BroadleyDean Broadley is the founder of Designing Humans, a consultancy focused on helping companies build effective design teams. With experience leading large design organizations across multiple countries, Dean specializes in helping designers break through career plateaus by focusing on self-awareness and relationship-building rather than rigid processes. His philosophy centers on the idea that "you're not designing experiences or products, you're designing humans." Key Topics & Timestamps00:00 E019 Dean Broadley (Spotify)01:33 Early Influences and First Design Job03:03 University Challenges and Digital Shift06:24 Breaking Boundaries and Finding Opportunities14:29 Founding Designing Humans16:50 Implementing New Processes and Structures20:01 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Relationships20:10 Building Products People Love20:30 Team Dynamics and Self-Knowledge20:53 Honest Conversations with Customers23:25 Tools for Improving Self-Awareness25:16 Helping Others Overcome Challenges29:36 Embracing Mistakes as Learning Opportunities33:37 Evolving Leadership Styles40:33 Advice for Early Career Designers42:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Key Quotes "You cannot be in any effective relationship without knowing yourself really, really well." - Dean Broadley"We ask permission to participate in the lives of our customers. They're not thinking about us. And that's okay." - Dean Broadley"Nine times out of ten, when a system's not working, it has nothing to do with what you drew on a slide." - Dean Broadley"Just get stuck in. There's no time for perfection. There's only time for effectiveness." - Dean Broadley"I am long-term lazy. I will work very hard so I don't have to work again." - Dean Broadley"If it wasn't for my mistakes, I wouldn't know half the things I know." - Dean Broadley Resources Mentioned * Johari Window - A self-awareness tool Dean uses for personal and team development * Formula D Interactive - The company where Dean got his first professional design job Connect with Dean Broadley * LinkedIn: Dean Broadley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanbroadley/] * Twitter/X: @BroadleySpoken [https://twitter.com/broadleyspoken] Connect with Chris Abad * LinkedIn: Chris Abad [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisabad] * Twitter/X: @chrisabad [https://twitter.com/chrisabad] * Website: pixelatedpath.com [https://pixelatedpath.com] * Newsletter: Pixelated Path on Substack [https://substack.com/pixelatedpath]

Crafting an Irresistible Portfolio: Insights with Stefan Klocek

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad chats with Stefan Klosik, an expert in UX design, about what makes a portfolio stand out to hiring managers. Stefan shares key tips including the importance of storytelling, the relevance of showing before and after work, and focusing on a few strong projects rather than a broad array. The discussion also delves into the role of AI in design and the future skills designers will need. If you're looking to land your next UX job, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.00:00 Introduction01:02 College Days and Early Design Experiences03:41 First Job and Learning on the Job04:14 Navigating the Dot-Com Boom05:58 Building a Career in Design08:18 The Importance of a Strong Portfolio10:03 Tips for Crafting a Compelling Portfolio15:21 Evaluating Portfolios and Hiring Designers24:19 Training Recruiters and Final Thoughts29:03 Exploring Design Thinking Beyond School29:43 The Value of Constraints in Design Projects30:28 Balancing Real-World Constraints and Creativity33:27 The Role of AI in Modern Design35:04 Future Skills for Designers in an AI-Driven World46:55 Critical Thinking and Judgment in Design58:27 Practical Tips for Building a Design Portfolio01:03:46 Connecting and Sharing Your Work

Navigating Layoffs and Life: Insights from Jessica Sommer

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad talks with Jessica Sommer about the emotional and professional challenges of facing job loss in the tech industry. Jessica shares her journey from getting laid off to finding new opportunities, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adapting to change, and staying grounded in a rapidly evolving field. They discuss her educational background, including her love for research and interdisciplinary studies, and how her experiences in anthropology and statistics have shaped her career. Jessica also opens up about personal milestones, such as dealing with her mother's cancer diagnosis and balancing work during the pandemic while raising a child. This episode offers valuable insights for UX professionals on handling career setbacks, personal growth, and the significance of empathy and self-care in the workplace.00:00 Facing Job Loss in Tech: Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity00:54 Jessica's Journey: From High School to University Research04:46 Navigating Early Career Challenges and Personal Loss08:44 The Importance of Empathy and Innovation in the Workplace13:22 Balancing Work, Personal Well-being, and Mentorship23:10 The Impact of Layoffs and the Future of Work in Tech28:15 Responding to Change: Advice for New Professionals29:19 Navigating Company Layoffs30:57 Personal Experience with Layoffs32:59 Starting Over: A New Beginning33:40 Lessons from Managing Layoffs35:18 Resilience and Positive Outlook42:29 Balancing Career and Parenthood47:34 Creating Safe Work Environments55:05 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

From Layoffs to Leadership: Jason Blythe's Design Adventure

In this candid interview, host Chris Abad sits down with Jason Bly, a seasoned design leader, to explore his journey from Jamaica to leading major design projects at Google. The episode delves into Jason's early struggles, his time at Kodak, and his transition to Google, where he contributed to the redesign of the Google homepage. Jason shares insights on the importance of taking risks, building resilience, and staying adaptable in an unpredictable career path. He also reflects on his recent layoff and how he's using this experience to plan his next steps thoughtfully. This episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for anyone navigating uncertainty in their professional life. 00:00 Introduction to Jason Bly's Journey 01:27 Early Career and Internships 03:38 Discovering a Passion for Graphic Design 06:26 The Importance of Attention to Detail 12:06 Navigating Design Critiques 17:40 Transitioning to the U.S. for Education 26:46 From Print to Digital Design 31:23 First Full-Time Role at Kodak 35:09 Transitioning from Kodak to Effective 35:58 Navigating Career Growth and Titles 36:29 Challenges and Responsibilities at Kodak 39:19 Joining Google: The Journey Begins 39:58 Landing the Role at Google 44:14 Proudest Accomplishments at Google 53:00 The Impact of Layoffs 57:37 Processing the Layoff 01:01:51 Advice for Navigating Layoffs 01:04:54 What's Next: Future Plans 01:08:14 Conclusion: Embracing Change

Career Shift: Claire Snell-Rood's Transition from Academia to Tech

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad explores the career transformation of Claire Snell-Rood, who transitioned from a successful academic career in anthropology to a dynamic role in UX and product research. Claire discusses her challenges and motivations in moving from academia to agency work and then to her current in-house role at Rippling. She shares valuable insights on applying research in real-world settings, the importance of networking and seeking mentorship, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Claire also highlights the differences between academic and industry research, offering practical tips for early career researchers and designers looking to navigate their own career transitions. 00:00 Introduction to Claire's Academic Journey 01:03 Discovering Anthropology 04:07 Transitioning from Academia to UX 04:57 Challenges in Academia 05:41 The Shift to Industry 08:36 Exploring UX and Product Research 20:46 Networking and Career Advice 27:26 Overcoming the Fear of Asking Questions 28:00 Navigating Dumb Questions in UX Research 29:17 Challenges in Tech Culture 31:40 Transitioning from Agency to In-House 33:51 Understanding Company Culture as a Field Site 37:29 Excitement in Platform Research 48:01 Advice for Early Career Researchers 50:08 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome 52:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts