Kiasu Design Life

41: Behind the Firewall: Design in Singapore’s Defence Tech

What’s it really like designing digital tools you can’t talk about in Singapore’s defence tech space? Sharon and Dionne take us inside their work at CSIT, the leading cybersecurity agency in MINDEF, where they build mission-critical systems that government users rely on every day. This episode dives into the creative, complex, and surprisingly human side of designing for national security. ___ Our guest for today are 🙋🏻‍♀️ Dionne (LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chdionne/]) and 🙋🏻‍♀️ Sharon (LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrnlm/]) from CSIT (LinkedIn, Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/csitsg], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/csitsg]) CSIT's post on Odyssey (LinkedIn [defence tech design meet-up]) - first-ever defence tech design meet-up ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Hello, hello! (01:36) Introducing Dionne and Sharon! (08:43) Embracing unexpected career paths (11:06) So... what do they actually design? (16:29) Deep dive into a brag-worthy project (23:28) Tooling and tech with high security (30:19) Who's cut out for CSIT + Interview tips (33:05) Your mala dala IG questions — answered! (40:09) Closing thoughts & shoutouts! ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations [https://ko-fi.com/kiasudesignlife]. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kiasudesignlife], where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website [https://www.adilah.design/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilah-anuar/] Hsuan - Website [https://www.tzuhsuan.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzuhsuanyang/]

40: Inside UX bootcamps: What it’s really like in Singapore

Ever wondered what it’s really like to make the leap from a UX bootcamp to a product design career in Singapore? Well, we’re about to find out! Join us for a candid, no-holds-barred chat featuring both Alicia, a recent bootcamp grad and currently a Product Designer at Open Gov Products, plus our very own Adilah! Through an unfiltered conversation, Alicia and Adilah share their honest experiences, challenges, and lessons they've learned along the way. ___ 🙋🏻‍♀️ Our guest for today is  Alicia Chong! (Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciachongmin/]) ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Happy 2025... again! (01:50) Why This Episode? (05:30) Meet Alicia! (09:33) Alicia’s Big Career Switch (13:38) Choosing the Bootcamp Life (18:17) Bootcamp Breakdown: How It Works (21:36) More Theory, Less Practice? (26:54) Bootcamp Struggles (31:24) Aha Moment: Biggest Bootcamp Lesson (33:25) The End of Bootcamp & Job Hunt Struggles (45:55) Culture Shock as a Bootcamp Grad (52:02) Advice for Future UX Bootcampers (56:05) Our New Year's EVOLUTION! ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations [https://ko-fi.com/kiasudesignlife]. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kiasudesignlife], where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website [https://www.adilah.design/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilah-anuar/] Hsuan - Website [https://www.tzuhsuan.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzuhsuanyang/]

39: The power of starting something (a talk at The Good Circle)

📹 🔴 This is a recording of a talk we did for  the pilot meetup of "The Good Circle" [https://lu.ma/ls00f41f] back in November 2024 where we shared how simply being open thrusts ourselves towards starting something we both believe in. Hailing from different backgrounds and upbringings, hear how we embrace and turn our identities into self-empowerment. The Good Circle hopes to drive greater visibility for women, with the intention to close the gap, particularly in leadership. ♥️ ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Happy 2025! (02:01) When was the last time you thought of starting something? (04:27) #1: Recognising a need (07:48) #2: Opening up (10:58) #3: Coming together (19:17) #4: Owning our identity ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations [https://ko-fi.com/kiasudesignlife]. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kiasudesignlife], where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website [https://www.adilah.design/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilah-anuar/] Hsuan - Website [https://www.tzuhsuan.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzuhsuanyang/]

38: Rock hard truths 🪨 about UX design

One undeniable and hard truth we all know about UX is that "the design process never linear". But what other truths exist in this realm? Today, with insights from the internet and our listeners, we're diving into that very question! ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Hello! (03:25) Topic intro (06:02) "No respect for UX" (10:00) "Advocating for UX" (15:00) "Not investing in UX" (17:46) "Design leader = QOL" (20:00) "Overruled with gut feeling" (28:02) "Low hanging fruits" (30:30) "Teamwork takes time" (32:52) "UX is not creative" (37:52) Closing thoughts ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations [https://ko-fi.com/kiasudesignlife]. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kiasudesignlife], where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website [https://www.adilah.design/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilah-anuar/] Hsuan - Website [https://www.tzuhsuan.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzuhsuanyang/]

37: Small kids, big thinkers - Design thinking in primary schools!

Heard of design thinking for kids? That's right - kids as young as 10 years old are learning coding, researching, brainstorming and even pitching in primary schools!   Get ready to meet Team GummyCare, the young innovators on a mission to advocate for healthy eating! 🥕🥦 How did they come up with their awesome idea and will they take over our jobs? 😱   Let’s get inspired by the next generation of big thinkers! ___ Our guests are Mrs. Tan Qili (Teacher), and Team GummyCare consists of Amelia, Karyn, Luke, Ying Xuan and Rui Jie from Ai Tong Primary School.  This episode is in support of the People of Design Campaign [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5n65V_5l8] by DesignSingapore Council.  Image courtesy of the DesignSingapore Council. ___ Timestamp: (00:00) Welcome Team GummyCare! (06:25) How Ai Tong Pri. Sch. brings design thinking to kids (13:00) How did Team GummyCare came out with their great idea? (16:54) Ingenious ways to quickly validate their ideas (18:54) Final showcase, prototype & meeting the minister! (29:05) How Ai Tong Pri. Sch. students are encouraged to "design-think" (33:50) Students' learnings, memorable stories, and teacher's takeaway (36:40) Students very realistic dream when they grow up ♥️ We're self-funding this podcast, so if you’re enjoying the episodes and want to support us, we'd be so grateful for any donations [https://ko-fi.com/kiasudesignlife]. Every little bit helps—thank you so much! ♥️ Reach out to us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/kiasudesignlife], where we hold post-release discussions with our supportive listeners or email us at kiasudesignlife@gmail.com ___ Behind Kiasu Design Life: Adilah - Website [https://www.adilah.design/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilah-anuar/] Hsuan - Website [https://www.tzuhsuan.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzuhsuanyang/]