Designing for Humans in the Loop

In this episode, we speak with Idam Adam, a Product Designer at Upguard.What does it look like when design and code fully merge, and AI becomes the bridge between an idea and a finished, clickable product? Idam is a Product Designer at UpGuard with a background that spans both coding and design. He's a heavy user of Claude Code and Codex agents, and he's built a workflow that lets him generate rich prototypes, facilitate better stakeholder conversations, and unlock creativity at a scale that wasn't possible before. But what makes Idam's practice distinctive isn't the speed, it's the discipline: spending time up front to go slower. Conscious recalibration. Using AI not just to build, but to think.In this episode:How he uses AI to interview himself before building - creating rich context so the model can do its best workWhy prototyping velocity changes stakeholder conversations entirelyThe cognitive load of Git, design repositories, and coding agentsWhat companies are actually looking for when they want someone who can take an idea and ship a finished productAnd why "just because you can go fast, doesn't mean you shouldShow notes:https://www.idamadam.comhttps://critter.shhttps://time.com/7295195/ai-chatgpt-google-learning-schoolhttps://theconversation.com/is-ai-hurting-your-ability-to-think-how-to-reclaim-your-brain-272834

In this episode, we speak with Freya Stockman, a Product Designer at Relevance AI who transitioned from traditional design to working alongside engineers and "vibe coding". Freya shares her journey from working at a bank to joining an AI-first company where she ships code, builds features alongside engineers, and redefines what it means to be a designer in 2025/6.We explore:🎨 The transition from designer to AI-enabled designer and the skills that sit with that role🔄 How to start vibe coding with proper planning and critical thinking⚖️ The 70-20-10 rule: planning, execution, and engineering collaboration🔗 Why a systems thinking mindset gives designers an edge with AI tools🏗️ New fluid ways of working that blur traditional role boundariesthinkers🧠 Building trust and mentorship relationships with engineering teams.At its heart, this episode is about experimentation, methodical learning, and the evolving craft of design in an AI-augmented world. Freya offers practical frameworks for designers ready to expand their capabilities beyond traditional Design activities and into code, demonstrating that adaptation — not replacement — is the real story of AI in design.Show notes:relevanceaiVibe coding playbook for designers - link Get Psyched Tutoring - link

Most AI literacy programs are solving the wrong problem — and in this episode, Riley Coleman explains why.Instead of teaching people tools, features, and prompts, Riley argues that organisations must rebuild the mental models, habits, workflows, and governance that help humans think differently about how to get work done in an AI-enhanced world.We dive deep into what it really takes to build AI-ready teams, why AI-native organisations are already moving faster, and how leaders can design for trust, safety and confidence while technology accelerates exponentially.This episode is essential listening for design leaders, product teams, and anyone navigating the human side of AI adoption.What we coverWhy most AI literacy programs failThe 5 foundational layers of true AI literacyThe ROI problem: why organisations aren’t seeing valueMental models, habits and new ways of workingThe danger of agentic AI without governanceHow to build trust and psychological safetyMeaningful friction vs frictionless designThe Three-Speed Organisation model for the AI eraWhy service designers are now mission-criticalHow leaders can “slow down to go fast”Quotes worth remembering“Most AI literacy programs are solving the wrong problem.”“AI breaks every design principle we’ve relied on for decades.”“Slow down now so you can go impossibly fast later.”“Trust is the bedrock of any human–AI collaboration.”“Agentic AI terrifies me — because most organisations aren’t ready.”About Riley ColemanRiley is an AI literacy and organisational transformation expert helping teams build the confidence, capability and governance needed to adopt AI safely and effectively. Riley’s work blends human-centred design, ethics, psychology and organisational systems thinking.Resources & LinksRiley Coleman - LinkedInAI Flywheel: https://ai-flywheel.comBCG Report — “Where’s the Value in AI?” -⁠ LinkRiley’s Maven CoursesHuman-Centred Ethical AI that Users Trust - Maven Course Riley’s Linkedin Articles 1. From Interfaces to Relationships: The Design Transformation That Determines Whether Your AI Succeeds or Fails 2. Building Adaptive Operations for the AI Era HostsTaryn D’Souza & Justin Hevey are design leaders and co-hosts of Designing for Humans in the Loop, a podcast exploring the future of AI, design and human experience.Taryn D’Souza — LinkedInJustin Hevey — LinkedInSubscribe to Designing for Humans in the Loop on Substack

In this episode, we speak with Gordon Candelin, a design innovator, developer and partner at Artefex, about redefining what it means to be a designer in 2025. Gordon challenges designers to bridge the gap between front-end design and the technical systems that power digital experiences, expanding beyond aesthetics into systems thinking.We explore:🔧 Why designers must understand the technical foundations "under the hood" to remain relevant🔄 Frame, Vibe, Validate loop: a practical process for rapid ideation and building with AI tools🎨 How generative AI democratises design and makes product creation accessible to creative thinkers🧠 Mental models as both enablers and blockers in design work⚖️ The importance of ethical guardrails and stepping back to reflect on AI-generated solutionsThis episode is about creative thinking as a true competitive advantage in the AI era. Gordon offers a vision where designers who embrace experimentation, continuous learning, and cross-disciplinary thinking will shape the future of digital products—not replace design, but elevate it.

Justin and Tron sit down with Ben Hoogenboom—founder of AI for Enterprise—to explore what’s really happening inside boardrooms as AI shifts from buzzword to business imperative.From fear of missing out to navigating transformation at scale, this episode dives into the tensions, questions, and opportunities facing today’s executive teams—and the essential role design plays in making AI work for humans, not just systems.We talk about:What executives are actually asking about AI behind closed doorsThe five “flavors” of AI uncertainty across enterprise environmentsHow AI agents are reshaping workflows and unlocking human potentialThe mindset shift from “human replacement” to “human amplification”Why designers need a seat at the AI strategy tableWhether you're a designer, strategist, or simply trying to make sense of AI in your work, this episode offers a grounded, insightful look at the future of intelligent systems—and the humans designing with them.

In this episode, we speak with Kristin de la Fuente, a design specialist with over twenty years of experience, about navigating the complex world of AI indesign. Kristin shares her journey of reskilling and experimenting with generative AI, from her early digital design days to her current work exploring bias in large language models. We explore: The evolution of design in the AI era Strategies for integrating AI into design workflows Uncovering and addressing bias in large language models The importance of ethical AI and inclusive design practices How designers can effectively experiment with and leverage AI toolsIn this episode, we embrace our curiosity, continuous learning, and critical thinking in the rapidly changing landscape of AI and design. Kristin offers practical insights into how designers can thoughtfully integrate AI while maintaining human creativity and ethical awareness.

In this episode, we speak with Alyona Medelyan, CEO of Thematic, about how AI — specifically natural language processing (NLP) — is helping organizations turn unstructured customer feedback into meaningful insights. Aliona shares her journey from computational linguistics to founding a platform that empowers teams to understand not just what customers are saying, but why.We explore:The evolution of NLP and large language modelsHow AI can analyze real customer feedback at scaleThe importance of democratizing access to insightsWhy understanding the “why” matters more than just the metricsAt its heart, this episode is about designing AI systems that truly listen to people, supporting more human-aware decisions across research, product, and customer experience.

In this special reflection episode, co-hosts Justin and Taryn take a pause to look back on the first three episodes of Designing for Humans in the Loop. From experimenting with AI tools to rediscovering the irreplaceable value of critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, this candid conversation explores how AI is reshaping our work as designers and what it means to design in a time of rapid technological change.We talk about:What we’ve learned so far from guests like Chris and BarryHow AI is empowering (not replacing) designersThe privilege of designing in the age of intelligent toolsPersonal reflections on podcasting, growth, and staying curiousWhere we want to take the podcast next in 2025Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a fellow designer, or just podcast-curious, join us for a reflective, honest, and optimistic look at the intersection of humans, design, and machines.

Vincent Koch is a thought leader at the intersection of AI, data, and design. As a lecturer, futurist, and former Chief Data and AI Officer, Vincent has worked with cutting-edge generative AI technologies to reshape how organisations approach design and user experiences. In this episode, Vincent shares insights into how AI can augment human creativity, the challenges of hyper-personalisation, and the evolving role of designers in crafting user-centric experiences. He also introduces his Generative AI Compass, a framework for navigating the complexities of designing with AI. Takeaways - Designers play a key role in balancing user autonomy and curated experiences in AI-driven systems. - Hyper-personalisation is both an opportunity and a challenge in creating meaningful UX. - Generative AI tools can accelerate prototyping and expand creative possibilities. - Synthetic user testing can augment traditional research methods to explore diverse user needs. - Designers must act as curators to guide users through infinite choices. - The evolving design process requires embracing experimentation and flexibility. - Organisations need clear principles and frameworks to manage AI biases and outputs. - Collaboration between technologists, designers, and product teams is essential for AI success. - Ethical considerations must guide AI implementation to build trust and create value. Tune in to discover how AI is transforming the creative process and redefining the boundaries of design.

Welcome to Designing for Humans in the Loop, the podcast exploring the intersection of design and artificial intelligence. Hosted by Taryn D'Souza and Justin Hevey, we dive into how AI is reshaping design, transforming industries, and challenging the way we create for the future. In this episode, we explore hyper-personalisation with Barry Saunders, Partner at MXA Consulting, a technology strategy consultancy specialising in customer experience, product strategy, and analytics. Barry shares insights on AI-driven personalisation, the evolving role of designers, and the critical balance between business, technology, and human-centred design. Key Takeaways: Hyper-personalisation Defined: From segmentation to advanced product recommendations, and how AI enables tailored customer experiences. AI in Retail: Tools that accelerate content creation, improve merchandising, and enhance customer journeys through automation. Design Challenges: Why designers must adapt traditional methods, think critically, and balance business goals with human-centred solutions. Collaboration: The importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork, from product to marketing and data teams, for creating cohesive user experiences. Ethical Considerations: How designers can navigate the moral complexities of emerging AI tools while leveraging their capabilities. Join us for this thought-provoking discussion on how designers can adapt to and thrive in the rapidly changing technological landscape.