Bridging Design & Development: Communication, Context, and Collaboration

Bridging Design & Development: Communication, Context, and Collaboration

In the third episode of Season 2, Maria Grilo (Designer) and Davide Silva (Developer at Subvisual [https://subvisual.com/]) explore how designers and developers can collaborate to make projects happen as frictionlessly as possible. They dive into: * The architect vs. construction worker problem: Why disconnected teams lead to friction, missed expectations, and compromised results, and how to avoid it. * Opening vs. funneling: How designers explore possibilities while developers converge on realistic solutions, and why both perspectives need to inform each other early. * Getting developers involved in design: The value of bringing developers into research, design sprints, and ideation to align on feasibility and avoid surprise roadblocks. * AI tools changing prototyping: How AI enables faster iteration, but why you still need experienced designers and developers to guide decisions and deliver production-ready systems. * Communication strategies that work: Balancing synchronous meetings with asynchronous updates in remote teams and adapting to project timelines and team needs. * The handoff shouldn't be a surprise: Why progressive collaboration beats the "ceremony moment" where designs are handed off to developers, and the importance of ongoing communication during implementation. * Managing disagreements and finding middle ground: How to handle friction between design vision and development constraints while ensuring everyone feels heard. * Context is everything: Why shared understanding across the entire team prevents misaligned priorities and ensures everyone is working toward the same goals.

The Evolving PM Role: From Translator to Builder

In the second episode of Season 2 — exploring collaboration across product, design, and technology —Álvaro Bezerra (Product Manager at Subvisual [https://subvisual.com/]) and Tadeu Ferreira (Product Manager at Builders Camp) in an honest conversation about the evolving product management role and what it really takes to collaborate effectively in 2025. They discuss how the PM role is shifting from "translator" to "builder", especially as AI tools democratize technical skills and enable faster prototyping. Tadeu shares his journey as a "chaotic generalist" and connector, while Álvaro reflects on his experience as a psychology-trained PM navigating engineering discussions. Both emphasize the power of empathy in collaboration, exploring strategies like over-communicating intentions upfront, protecting team focus time, and being "Robin to everyone's Batman." They dive into navigating uncertainty without trying to eliminate it, learning to assess where you are, iterate constantly, and adapt processes to your context rather than the other way around. The conversation touches on the difference between "going fast" and being assertive in product work, with Álvaro stressing that speed means laser focus on the right problem, not doing more things faster. They also share experiences working 0-to-1 with founders, the importance of questioning assumptions, and why understanding human nature and yourself is the foundation of quality collaboration and product work. Perfect for product managers, founders, designers, developers, and anyone building products in cross-functional teams.

Bridging Branding & Digital Product Design with Onda & Subvisual

Join Joana Gomes (Designer at Subvisual [https://subvisual.com/]) and Lisandra Gabriel (Designer at Onda [https://www.ondastudio.co/]) in this insightful conversation about the intersection of branding, digital product design, and technology. They dive into: * How Onda crafts brand narratives that go beyond visuals, blending strategy with emotion. * The collaborative process between branding studios (Onda) and product teams (Subvisual) to create cohesive experiences. * Case studies like Orki (a playful yet serious DeFi stablecoin) and Alchemy Conference (dynamic, tech-driven signage). * Why branding is more than logos/colors—it’s about research, adaptability, and user connection. Perfect for designers, founders, and teams looking to integrate branding and product design effectively.

Unveiling the Power of User Research in Product Design (Part 3)

In this episode of Can I Have It in Blue, Subvisual's Alvaro Bezerra and Maria Grilo dive into the world of user research, sharing insights and lessons from their experiences. They discuss: * The importance of user research: Breaking assumptions, reducing bias, and creating better products. * Key research methods: Generative interviews, user testing, and surveys, along with the challenges of each. * Real-world examples: * Uncovering incorrect assumptions about user workflows. * Dealing with biases in Web3 projects where tokenomics overshadow product needs. * Tips and advice: * For designers: Overcoming nerves and handling interviews confidently. * For PMs: Collaborating with designers to prioritize user needs. * Practical challenges: Selecting the right participants, avoiding bias in user testing, and adapting research methods to different contexts. Alvaro and Maria also share personal anecdotes about research in Web3, the importance of tailoring interviews, and how even small adjustments can uncover valuable insights. They conclude by emphasizing the importance of preparation and continuous learning to refine research practices.

Unveiling the Power of User Research in Product Design (Part 2)

In this episode of 'Can I Have It In Blue,' Joana Gomes and João Ferreira from Subvisual delve into the intricacies of planning and presenting user research. They discuss their approaches to creating research plans and conducting interviews without over-relying on scripts, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and adaptability. João highlights his intuitive method of using structured yet flexible conversation guides, while Joana shares a more systematic approach informed by specific articles and frameworks. Both underscore the value of conducting interviews, the challenges of avoiding bias, and the necessity of presenting research findings effectively. They also touch on the unique difficulties of conducting research in the Web3 space and the importance of engaging with community feedback while being wary of inherent biases. Concluding with practical advice for newcomers, Joana and João stress the importance of practice and genuine curiosity in making user research insightful and impactful. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:23 Starting the User Research Discussion 00:40 Planning User Research 01:43 Executing User Research Interviews 05:38 Structuring the Research Process 09:01 Adapting and Personalizing Interviews 14:29 Challenges in User Research 21:05 Recruiting Participants for Research 22:24 Filtering and Evaluating Profiles 22:51 Insights from User Interviews 23:23 Case Study: Renting Project in Boston 24:14 Challenges in Web3 Projects 25:59 Importance of Community in Web3 28:57 Presenting Research Findings 33:36 Tips for Effective User Research 38:46 The Value of Interviews in Early-Stage Projects 42:56 Conclusion and Next Steps Links: * People Nerds article: Not Sure Which User Research Methodology To Use? Start Here [https://dscout.com/people-nerds/how-to-choose-a-methodology] * Books: * Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug [https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Surgery-Made-Easy-Yourself/dp/0321657292] * Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug [https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Think-Revisited-Usability/dp/0321965515]