The Imperfect Designer Podcast

In this episode of The Imperfect Designer, I’m joined by Josh Newton, a designer and founder who has spent the last 15 years working across startups, product teams, and more recently building his own app, Orbit.We talk about what happened when a side project became something much bigger, and how ambition, financial pressure, anxiety, and perfectionism started to change Josh’s relationship with the work.We also get into the pressure designers feel to keep up with AI, why creative people can tie so much of their self-worth to what they make, and why paying attention to what gives you energy might matter more than constantly trying to do more.---What this episode coversJosh’s journey from designer to building Orbit and becoming a design founderWhat really happens when a side project becomes something people pay forThe pressure, ambition, and burnout that came with building his own productWhy creative people can tie so much of their self-worth to their workJosh’s experience with anxiety, perfectionism, and feeling like he should know more by nowReturning to a design role after building something of his ownThe pressure designers feel to keep up with AI and a rapidly changing industry---Connect with Josh:LinkedInWebsiteOrbit app This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectdesigner.substack.com

In this episode of The Imperfect Designer, I’m joined by Lucy Jackson, a creative leader and brand strategist who has spent her career building brands, shaping stories, and helping other people grow their work.More recently, Lucy made a major change. After being laid off, she chose to back herself, start her own business, and build a more flexible life around the things that matter most to her. That shift also meant navigating a new country, a new language, family life, and the uncertainty that comes with doing something different on purpose.We talk about the difference between external success and internal fulfillment, why comfort can sometimes become a trap, how imposter syndrome changes through different stages of life, and why human connection still matters so much in a world moving fast with AI and change.This is a conversation about self-trust, reinvention, and what happens when you stop waiting for perfect certainty and start listening more closely to what is actually true for you.---What this episode covers* Lucy’s transition from a traditional career path to building something of her own* How being laid off became a moment of clarity, not just a setback* The gap between external success and what actually feels fulfilling* Why comfort can quietly keep you stuck* How imposter syndrome changes when you start doing more honest work* Moving countries, raising a family, and building a business at the same time* The importance of human connection in a world increasingly shaped by AI* Learning to trust your intuition and get honest about what you really want---The Reframe SprintLucy also shares a little about The Reframe Sprint, her self-led workshop for people who feel stuck, unsure what needs to change, or keep circling around the same questions without moving forward.It’s designed to help you name what’s keeping you stuck, understand where your energy is going, and create a simple 30-day action plan to help you take the next step.Lucy has also kindly shared a discount code for listeners: IMPERFECT20 for 20% off.---Resources & Links:* The Reframe sprintConnect with Lucy:* LinkedIn* Website This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectdesigner.substack.com

In this episode of The Imperfect Designer, I’m joined by Vlada Zdorovenko, a Design Manager at Tesco Technology working across design, data science, and technical product teams.Vlada’s path into design was not a straightforward one. Before moving into UX, she built a successful career in the automotive industry across sales, education, marketing, and digital products. Changing direction meant studying, trying different creative paths, and eventually stepping away from the security of an established career to start something new.We talk about moving countries and rebuilding a career and community from scratch, the difference between appearing confident and actually feeling it, and the periods of burnout that followed some of Vlada’s personal achievements. This is a conversation about career change, curiosity, finding your people, and what happens when you keep moving forward even when you are scared, tired, or unsure of what comes next.---What this episode covers- How Vlada changed careers without leaving her previous experience behind- Moving countries and rebuilding a career and community from scratch- Why confidence often comes after taking action- Vlada’s experience of burnout during major periods of change- Using small steps to keep moving when your energy is low- Finding mentors, allies, and people who understand your experience- Bringing human-centred design into technical and data science teams- Redefining success around happiness, curiosity, and meaningful challenges----Connect with Vlada:LinkedInWebsite This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectdesigner.substack.com

In this episode of The Imperfect Designer, I reflect on the fear that sat in the back of my mind as I started this podcast.After years working in design and creative roles, I’ve often felt an internal pressure to appear certain, confident, and resolved. But the reality is way messier than that. In many ways, the more experience I’ve gained, the more aware I’ve become of complexity, ambiguity, and everything I still don’t know.I talk about the fear of being seen honestly, the pressure to “have it figured out” as your career progresses, and why talking openly about uncertainty can sometimes feel professionally risky.---What this episode covers* The fear of looking incompetent by sharing openly* Why insecurity can persist even with experience* The myth that confidence increases with experience* The pressure to appear confident and competent* The importance of sharing struggles for growth* How ambiguity and uncertainty are natural parts of creative work* The idea that waiting for certainty often prevents progress* Personal reflections on growth through discomfort---Links & resources* Connect with Blair Fraser on Linkedin* Read more of my writing here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectdesigner.substack.com

In this episode, I sit down with Dee Scarano, a facilitator and product strategist who helps teams navigate complex, messy problems.We explore what it really takes to work through ambiguity. From building confidence over time, to guiding teams without always having the answers, and creating the conditions for better collaboration and decision-making.Dee shares reflections from her own journey, from design into facilitation, and what she’s learned along the way. Including how she approaches high-stakes work, how she prepares, and how her thinking has evolved over time.We also touch on the realities of going independent, building something of your own, and figuring out what kind of work you actually want to do.---What we cover* Dee’s path from product design into facilitation* What facilitation actually looks like in practice* Building confidence over time, especially in uncertain situations* Preparing for and working through high-stakes sessions* How to guide teams without needing to be the expert in the room* Psychological safety and why it matters for team performance* Using simple structures to improve collaboration* Experimentation, feedback, and learning earlier in the process* The realities of going independent and building your own work* How to reframe your mindset around risk and failure* The neuroscience behind psychological safety and how to embed it in everyday work* Why pushing through insecurity and embracing imperfect action accelerates your growth---Resources & Links:Dee’s Online Course “The Elite Facilitator”Google’s Study on Psychological SafetyDesign Sprint MethodologyConnect with Dee:LinkedInWebsite This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectdesigner.substack.com

Starting sounds simple, but it rarely feels that way.In this episode of The Imperfect Designer, I explore why we struggle to begin, even when the thing in front of us might actually matters to us. The projects we care about. The ideas we’ve been thinking about for a while. The things we want to do but keep putting off.I talk about procrastination, overthinking, and the pressure to get things “right” before we even start. How perfectionism can quietly keep us stuck, and why not starting often isn’t about laziness at all.This is a reflection on overthinking, avoidance, and what it really takes to begin, even if it’s just a small step.---What this episode covers* Why starting can feel disproportionately hard* The difference between laziness and self-protection* How perfectionism shows up before we even begin* The comfort of staying in “potential” vs the risk of making something real* Why the things we care about most are often the easiest to avoid* How pressure builds the longer we delay* The importance of reframing thoughts and reducing pressure---Links & resources* Connect with Blair Fraser on Linkedin* Read more of my writing here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectdesigner.substack.com

This is where it starts.In this first episode of The Imperfect Designer, I share why I decided to finally press record and what this podcast is really about.This isn’t a show about tools, trends, or becoming a “better” designer. It’s about the experience of making things. The self-doubt, the pressure to get it right, the comparison, and the quiet struggles that sit underneath the work.I talk about perfectionism, procrastination, burnout, and what it feels like to show up and try to do meaningful work when it doesn’t always feel good.This podcast is an open exploration. No fixed destination, no polished formula. Just an honest look at the messy side of creating.You don’t need to be a designer to be here. If you’re someone who makes things, has ideas you keep coming back to, or feels stuck between wanting to create and holding yourself back, this is for you.If you’ve ever felt like you’re not ready, this is about continuing anyway. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imperfectdesigner.substack.com