Creative Capes

Cal Thompson, VP of Design on how they use AI at Headspace and why they hire interns

With so many AI tools flying around, it’s easy for creative teams to feel overwhelmed. Which tools actually matter? And more importantly, what stays uniquely human in design leadership as technology evolves? In this episode of Design Leadership in the Boardroom,Ekaterina sits down with Cal Thompson, VP Design at Headspace and curator of Future London Academy’s Product Design Strategy course. Cal shares how AI is changing the strategic power of design (not replacing it), where these tools genuinely help guiding roadmaps, measuring product signals, prototyping visions, and where they don’t belong at all, especially when it comes to anchoring human stories. Joining as a special guest, Rachel Arredondo , Senior Product Designer at Headspace, offers a practical, grounded view of AI as a thought collaborator. She shows how she uses Claude to expand her reach without outsourcing judgment, and why designers must shape tools just as much as tools shape us. Expect a conversation rooted in empathy, culture, and creative responsibility, plus a clear, usable framework for deciding where AI fits in your design process. What you’ll learn  * Why design’s strategic influence can grow in an AI-enabled world * Where AI helps most across the process of guiding roadmap, synthesising measurement signals, prototyping future visions, navigating crowded markets * Why human observation and interviews can’t be replaced by synthesis tools * How to build a design culture that fuels collaboration, trust, and imagination * What AI means for junior talent, and how leaders should rethink career pathways * Why the next “design movement” will be collective, not solo-AI driven Who this episode is for Design Leaders · Product Designers · Head of Design · Head of UX / UX Director · Product Design Lead · UX Design Lead / Design Lead · Design Managers & Senior ICs navigating AI adoption · Solo/In-house designers · Creatives and cross-functional partners (PMs, researchers, engineers) shaping AI-enabled products

Apple’s former design executive on tools, purpose of design and creativity in the age of AI | Charles Migos, intangible.ai

With so many AI tools flying around, it feels overwhelming for any creative team to choose the ones that will make a difference.  This is why last week, we decided to have a conversation with Charles Migos, Chief Product Officer, Founder of Intangible.ai [http://intangible.ai], Design Leaders faculty member and one of the most exciting voices in design today. He is a design executive who has spent 30 years building tools for creatives, working alongside the industry’s brightest minds like Steve Jobs and in companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Unity. What we got is a powerful conversation with Charles about how designers play an important role in the age of AI, from problem-solving and aligning teams to improving collaboration. Timecodes:00:00 Introduction to design and AI with Charles Moberly (ex Apple, Microsoft, Unity)03:04 How the AI shift compares to the internet, Photoshop, and touchscreens06:12 The fundamentals of design that stay the same in the AI era08:23 How to choose AI tools for designers without feeling overwhelmed14:07 How to test and adopt AI tools in a design team16:36 Why creativity still works best as a team sport19:49 What design leaders should focus on in the AI era25:51 Balancing design and engineering cultures at scale32:20 Building Intangible AI and rethinking generative 3D workflows38:46 Copyright, IP, and ethical risks in generative AI45:08 Trust, privacy, and data choices when using AI tools45:26 A realistic look at the future of AI for creatives46:42 How designers can actively shape the future with AI50:19 New opportunities for designers using AI tools well54:09 Practical Figma Make tips for faster high fidelity prototyping01:02:04 Gender bias in AI and what design leaders can do01:22:22 Empathy and pragmatism as core design leadership skills54:09 Practical Figma Make tips Prototyping faster in high fidelity01:02:04 Gender bias in AI How design leaders respond01:22:22 Empathy and pragmatism in design leadership

Jim Prior on Protecting Creativity in Business | Chair at Design Bridge & Partners

What does it really take to protect creativity inside large organisations, and why do some CEOs champion design while others struggle to? In this episode of Design Leadership in the Boardroom, Jim Prior, former Global CEO at WPP and Chair at Design Bridge & Partners, Superunion shares 25 years of experience leading some of the world’s most influential creative companies. Hosted by Future London Academy, this warm, honest conversation explores how creativity drives business performance, and what every designer should know to influence decision-makers at the highest level. 🎙️ About the guest Jim Prior is a global brand leader and creative business strategist who has spent over two decades as CEO of The Partners, Superunion and Design Bridge & Partners (WPP). He has advised executive boards worldwide on brand transformation, creativity in leadership, and building future-ready organisations. 🟡 If you want to become a better design leader, learn more about our Executive Programme for Design Leaders: https://fla.wiki/3LNPYCM 💡 You’ll learn: ► How CEOs think about creativity and business value ► How to pitch creative ideas to leadership teams ► How agencies can help clients sell creativity internally ► Leadership habits, decision-making frameworks & lessons from a CEO ► How AI and automation change the creative landscape — and what designers should do now ⏱ Chapters 00:00 Welcome – Ekaterina & Jim Prior 02:36 How CEOs value creativity and design 07:00 Why big companies struggle with innovation 10:22 How to pitch creative ideas to CEOs and boards 14:40 Selling creativity in the boardroom – tips from a CEO 19:42 Creativity in leadership teams vs the boardroom 22:07 How agencies help clients sell ideas internally 26:25 What makes a creative agency truly valuable 28:30 From knowledge economy → creative economy 31:29 Inside the CEO mindset – decision making 36:32 Making smart decisions with imperfect data 43:25 Time management for creative leaders 47:45 Why CEOs prefer talking over email 51:52 Leading through hard times & crises 55:30 Reconnecting with your company vision 57:00 The evolving role of design in leadership 1:03:00 Tech hype vs real change for design leaders 1:07:00 AI & creativity – how designers can adapt 1:12:30 Running creative workshops with leaders 1:17:00 Balancing creativity and business 1:21:00 If Jim Prior could change one thing in the world Ideal for: Design leaders • Creative directors • Senior designers • Strategists • CEOs who value design • Anyone aiming to grow their influence in business and boardrooms. 🟡 If you want to become a better design leader, learn more about our Executive Programme for Design Leaders: https://fla.wiki/3LNPYCM

Christophe Egret on Leading Studio Egret West, Architecture with Soul and Building with Purpose

In the second episode of Design Leadership in the Boardroom, we’re joined by Christophe Egret — visionary architect, artist, and co-founder of Studio Egret West, to explore how creativity, spirituality, and leadership come together to shape cities and the people who build them. 🎙 Hosted by Future London Academy, this episode dives into architecture with soul, exploring what it means to build meaningful spaces, lead with empathy, and balance creative vision with commercial success. 🟡 If you want to become a better design leader, learn more about our Executive Programme for Design Leaders: https://fla.wiki/4a3iU3E 💡 What you’ll learn: ► How to keep creativity alive while running a thriving design business ► Ways to lead teams with empathy, purpose, and sou, not just strategy ► Why sketching, storytelling, and intuition still matter in the age of AI ► How to design spaces (and studio cultures) that connect people and purpose ✨ A conversation about imagination, courage, and what it means to build a better world, one soulful design at a time. About Christoph Egret: Christoph is one of the UK’s most respected architects and urban thinkers. As co-founder of Studio Egret West, he has helped redefine placemaking through landmark projects such as Mayfield Park in Manchester, Clapham Library, and the Earl’s Court Masterplan. Known for blending architecture, landscape, and urban design into a seamless practice, Christoph brings a deep sense of spirituality and purpose to his work. Today, through his new platform Soul in the City, he explores how the emotional and spiritual dimensions of urban life can inspire more connected, human-centered cities. 🟡 If you want to become a better design leader, learn more about our Executive Programme for Design Leaders: https://fla.wiki/4a3iU3E

Neurodiversity coach on ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia & Inclusive Leadership at Work | Emma Wee

Join us for the first episode of our Design Leadership in the Boardroom series, where we speak with executive leaders across architecture, product, AI, branding and psychology to unpack the strategies, practices and frameworks that help them succeed at the highest level. This time we’re joined by neurodiversity coach Emma Wee to learn how to create environments where neurodivergent talent thrives, and how to lead authentically with your own neurodivergent identity. From ADHD and Autism to Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, Emma shares practical, humane tactics leaders can use today to help every brain do its best work.What you’ll learn how to: ► Navigate ADHD at work ► Leverage dyslexia strengths ► Dismantle autism myths ► Build inclusive teams ► Implement meeting hygiene ► Handle tricky moments 🟡 If you want to become a better design leader, learn more about our Executive Programme for Design Leaders: https://fla.wiki/4oRvYhj Timecodes: 00:00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU] – Intro & why neurodiversity matters in creative leadership 00:01:06 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=66s] – Meet Emma Wee, Neurodiversity Coach 00:03:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=230s] – Emma’s journey: from theatre design to Neurodiversity coaching 00:06:22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=382s] – Masking explained (code-switching, cost, and relief in naming it) 00:16:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=979s] – ADHD 101: attention selection, hyperfocus arcs, RSD, boom-and-bust 00:21:28 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=1288s] – Finishing & focus: define “done,” emotional tags, pick tasks by brain-state 00:31:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=1885s] – Dyslexia strengths & tools: pattern spotting, dictation, read-aloud, color contrast 00:40:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=2432s] – Autism realities: sensory seesaw, clarity over small talk, change vs. variables 00:45:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=2711s] – Leading Neurodiverse teams: briefs, check-ins, inclusive defaults, “Manual of Me” 01:00:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=3612s] – Disclosure & safety: when to share (or not), alternatives to get support 01:06:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=3971s] – Rapid-fire coaching: brainstorms, missed deadlines, interruptions, feedback clashes 01:15:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWHI5-KEhU&t=4540s] – Closing & big question: one change Emma would make in the world About Guest Emma Wee — Neurodiversity Coach working with organisations from Universal Music Group to the UK FCDO, EY and PwC, helping teams adapt working practices for neurodivergent professionals. Emma is faculty member at Executive programme for Design Leaders. 🟡 If you want to become a better design leader, learn more about our Executive Programme for Design Leaders: https://fla.wiki/4oRvYhj