The Blueprint Of A Designer

What does design actually look like when you're the only designer at an AI startup — and you ship your own features?In this episode of The Blueprint of a Designer, I sit down with Isha Maggu, product designer at Codewords, an AI workflow automation tool. We get into what it really means to design for agents rather than screens, why she often skips Figma entirely and builds straight in Cursor, and why she still believes design is the differentiator when anyone can build anything.We also cover the death of per-seat pricing, how she filters the endless stream of new AI tools, the blurring line between designer and engineer, and the honest trade-offs of working solo versus on a proper design team.We dig into:- Designing agent behaviour — what to show, what to hide, and when to interrupt the user- Why "talk about the problem, not the solution" led to shipping voice mode- Isha actual workflow: v0 → user feedback → Figma → Cursor (and when Figma gets skipped)- Why building is easy now but maintaining and scaling still isn't- What happens to SaaS when everyone can build their own tools- Working without a PM, and how product decisions get made in a nine-person team- The best and worst parts of an AI startupChapters00:00 Cold open01:20 Intro & guest greeting01:30 What is Codewords?02:01 A simple example: scraping and enriching03:02 The most common use cases right now05:02 WhatsApp automation06:05 The differentiator — 2,000 integrations06:36 Voice mode: talk about the problem, not the solution07:08 What a designer actually designs at an AI company08:09 Designing states and agent personality09:11 What's most exciting about the work10:13 Building Custom UI — putting a face on automations13:35 Personal software and the SaaS sentiment13:58 The Substack-to-audio tool she built in a car16:29 Is per-seat pricing dead?17:34 Building is easy — maintaining is hard18:07 Her design workflow and tools19:36 Prototyping in v021:15 Granola, Notion and why she doesn't use her own product21:55 If anyone can build, what's the differentiator?22:46 Design as a USP for companies24:06 When she goes to Figma — and when she doesn't25:20 Skipping Figma and going straight to Cursor26:26 Using the Figma MCP28:04 From copy changes to shipping full features29:14 Building voice mode herself29:55 The design engineer role is blurring30:22 No PM — how decisions get made31:56 Work-life balance at an AI startup33:32 Keeping up without drowning in new tools36:06 Hype vs relevance37:29 Advice for joining an AI startup39:05 Working solo vs having a design team39:59 The worst thing about an AI startup41:53 A design belief that changed42:09 Design is what you don't see43:32 The capability-first approach44:49 What's next for Isha46:56 Isha asks Dean: the view from big tech50:26 The future of the designer role52:12 Role consolidation53:36 Managing agents instead of making55:23 Question for the next guest► Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueprintOfADesignerFollow us on:📸 Instagram: @theblueprintofadesigner🎵 TikTok: @theblueprintofadesigner🙏 Huge thanks to Isha for such an open and practical conversation!🔗 Connect with Isha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishamaggu/🔗 Codewords: https://www.codewords.ai/#ProductDesign #AIDesign #DesignEngineer #AgentDesign #UXDesign #Cursor #Figma #Startups #TheBlueprintOfADesigner

In this episode, I speak with Timothy Achumba, Design Director at Microsoft, about AI-first product design, leadership, and the future of design.We discuss his journey from Wunderlist to Meta to Microsoft, how his team explores AI through rapid prototyping, and why the role of design is shifting toward judgment, taste, and experimentation.We also cover mechanical keyboards, mentoring, and what designers need to focus on to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.Chapters00:00 Intro01:06 Timothy Achumba intro01:15 Config London and speaking on stage03:26 How Timothy got into mechanical keyboards04:44 Keyboards as a surface for expression06:17 Designing custom keycaps09:01 Timothy’s role at Microsoft Design Lab09:57 Prototyping first and using the scientific method11:24 How AI changes knowledge work12:53 Why chat interfaces are powerful but limited16:21 The Wunderlist story20:18 What happened after Microsoft acquired Wunderlist23:07 Microsoft vs Meta25:10 The role of design at Microsoft vs Meta26:47 The intensity of working at Microsoft28:08 Quick fire round29:49 How incubation teams influence larger organisations34:27 Being a director and staying hands-on36:58 Mentoring designers and career growth38:56 Should designers learn to code?39:53 Why design is becoming more like pottery43:11 How designers can build AI work for their portfolio45:38 If everyone can prototype, what is the value of design?49:29 Why craft matters even more now52:03 What stops senior designers becoming principal or director55:54 Managing time, meetings, and focus57:30 Why traditional design processes can hold teams back01:00:34 Why the scientific method matters in design01:01:47 Why designers still matter in the AI era01:04:41 Final thoughts

How will AI and XR transform the future of product design? In this episode, I chat with Oleg Frolov — design engineer at LIV — about spatial computing, hand-tracking, mixed reality, and why the next era of interaction design goes far beyond screens, cursors and controllers.We explore Oleg’s project Boxel XR, the future of controller-free input, Quest vs Vision Pro constraints, AI as a learning companion, and why hybrid design engineers will shape the next decade of product craft. We also talk social VR, spatial presence, R&D mindset, prototyping workflows, and what an “XR-native generation” might look like.If you’re a designer wondering whether to invest in XR, Unity, spatial computing or AI skills — this episode offers a grounded, honest and optimistic view of what’s coming next.• How AI accelerates coding + prototyping (without replacing designers)• Why XR interaction design is the real frontier• The future of hand-tracking + body-based interfaces• What LIV does to capture VR + MR experiences• Why design engineers will redefine product quality• Why now is the best moment to enter spatial design00:00 — Introduction01:31 — Boxel XR + voxel editing for VR04:04 — Future of hand-based interaction08:18 — Voice vs hands vs speed11:41 — Finding ideas + R&D mindset15:00 — What is a design engineer?17:08 — Tools: Figma, Blender, Unity, Xcode19:00 — Learning to code with AI support22:06 — AI as “modern Aristotle”23:16 — What LIV actually does26:00 — Gorilla Tag + game friction29:06 — Why social VR feels real31:01 — XR-native generations36:04 — Oleg’s end-to-end process39:20 — Quest vs Vision Pro45:12 — Will AI replace designers?50:03 — Future of design engineering52:03 — Beyond UI vs UX54:01 — Device-agnostic interaction55:38 — XR + smart home convergence59:57 — Muji pens + idea value1:04:12 — Creative + philosophical influences1:06:01 — Storytelling + communication1:12:07 — AI slop + trust in craft1:17:35 — Closing thoughtsIf you enjoy the episode, follow the show and share it with a designer — it really helps the podcast grow.

What does it actually look like to weave AI into products people already love—without slapping on “sparkle buttons”? In this episode of Blueprint of a Designer, I sit down with Matt Jones — a design leader at Miro working on AI (previously Google, Lunar Energy, and BERG) — to unpack designing with intelligence as a material, not a gimmick.Chapters0:00 Cold open — AI, flows & vibe coding1:27 Intro & guest greeting1:40 Light-painting photo & the garage2:16 Why light painting? Perception & trails3:02 Visualizing radio fields (RFID/Oyster)4:54 Light-painting the invisible field5:50 Team fun: centaur model of AI6:51 What Matt calls himself (interaction design)10:27 From architecture school to the early web12:15 What most misunderstand about AI in design13:47 On-device “mini intelligences”15:14 Designing with mature, cheap tech19:33 Material thinking: subjectivity + objectivity32:36 Clarifying Matt’s role at Miro (AI group)33:02 Weaving AI into Miro (multiplayer, multimodal)39:29 The “explain it over the phone” test41:24 Screens live in our heads: designing for cognition44:57 The thought-bubble storyboard trick50:29 Vibe coding / vibe designing52:36 Future-proofing designers (sort of)57:02 Curiosity over rounded rectangles1:00:45 Pushing systems beyond the mean1:12:17 Google: Creative Lab → Research1:14:09 Why Lunar Energy; Project Sunroof; home solar1:16:42 Zero→One at a climate startup (hardware + software)1:17:58 Dogfooding at Miro; slides + boards1:18:49 Tools shape us; whiteboards & flow1:21:05 Pace at Miro: EPD trios & hackathons1:23:50 What’s in the garage (3D printers, etc.)1:25:24 Remote hardware prototyping from the workshop1:28:16 Data-center murals & wrap-upWe dig into:On-device “mini intelligences” vs giant LLMs — why small, energy-light models may reshape everyday tools more than headline models.Weaving AI into workflows — keeping AI multiplayer, visual, and native to the fabric of Miro.Designing for cognition — the “thought-bubble” storyboard trick and explaining an interface over the phone.Vibe coding / vibe designing — prompting as creative direction, and pushing systems beyond the mean.Future-proofing (kind of) — curiosity, user research, and team intuition outlasting tool churn.From BERG → Google → Lunar Energy → Miro — hardware/energy/research lessons (light-painting RFID fields, rapid hardware prototyping, and more).GuestMatt Jones — Design leader at Miro (AI group). Previously Google (Creative Lab & Research), Lunar Energy, and BERG.Why watch/listenIf you’re a designer wondering where to place your bets in an AI-heavy decade, this is a candid, practical field guide: ship faster, stay curious, and design for the mental model, not just the mockup.► Subscribe for more episodes: / @theblueprintofadesignerFollow us on:📸 Instagram: @theblueprintofadesigner🎵 TikTok: @theblueprintofadesigner🙏 Huge thanks to Matt for bringing such clarity and candor!🔗 Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmatthewjones/#BlueprintOfADesigner #AIDesign #ProductDesign #UXDesign #InteractionDesign #GenerativeAI #OnDeviceAI #MultimodalAI #PromptEngineering #DesignLeadership #FutureOfDesign #Prototyping #Miro #LunarEnergy #BERG

In this episode of The Blueprint of a Designer, I sit down with Oriol Valldeperas, a product designer at ‪ @Wise  to unpack what it really takes to thrive as a senior designer in today’s product teams - especially in fast-moving, trust-critical spaces like fintech.We dig into the invisible parts of the job: how senior designers can find and fight for scope, demonstrate value without relying on polish, and build real influence - even when you’re not “the loudest in the room.” Oriol opens up about the pressure of adding value, the art of crafting one-pagers and visions that actually drive change, and why leading by example (not just frameworks) matters more than ever.We also talk AI - what it threatens, what it enables, and how to stay irreplaceable. Oriol shares an honest perspective on navigating imposter syndrome, the need for healthy competitiveness, and the emotional side of making high-stakes decisions that ripple across millions of users.Whether you're stepping into a senior role, shaping platform strategy, or wondering how to future-proof your design career, this conversation is packed with honest insights.📌 Chapters00:00 Intro – Who is Oriol Valldeperas?17:30 Finding Scope as a Senior Designer20:30 Fighting for Scope – Why It Matters23:51 Do Internal Tools Need Good Design?27:46 The Pressure to Add Value38:00 How to Build Influence Without Authority40:51 Driving Change with Your Superpower42:50 Leading by Being Brilliant – Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods & More48:19 Is AI a Threat to Designers?51:00 Staying Irreplaceable in the Age of AI53:50 Be Competitive - But Stay Kind1:00:05 The Hardest Part About Being a Designer1:07:05 Final Thoughts + Career Growth at Wise► Subscribe for more episodes: / @theblueprintofadesignerFollow us on: 📸 Instagram: @theblueprintofadesigner🎵 TikTok: @theblueprintofadesigner🙏 Huge thanks to Oriol for his openness and depth!📲 Follow Oriol: https://www.instagram.com/ovall/🔗 LinkedIn: /oriolvalldeperas#ProductDesign #Wise #Fintech #DesignLeadership #Scope #DesignInfluence #AI #UX #TheBlueprintOfADesigner

In this episode, I sit down with Natasha Wu, a product designer at Stripe, to talk about her journey, the challenges of designing for payments, and what it’s really like to work at a company renowned for its design culture. We dive into the unexpected realities of Stripe’s documentation-heavy approach, the struggles with imposter syndrome, and the future of AI in design—including what’s hype and what’s actually useful. Natasha also shares insights on how designers at Stripe influence high-stakes business decisions, build trust in financial products, and navigate the balance between craft and pragmatism. (00:00) Intro – Who is Natasha Wu?02:01 What Stripe Designers Actually Work On (05:49) Stripe’s Culture of Documentation & How It Shapes Design (12:57) The Role of Designers at Stripe – More Than Just "Making Things Pretty" (17:48) Designing for Trust – UX Challenges in Fintech (24:26) How AI is (and isn’t) Changing Product Design (30:58) Why Imposter Syndrome is So Common in Design (42:05) IC vs. Management – Why Natasha Moved Back to IC (50:41) What Makes Stripe’s Design Team Special (57:05) The Hardest Design Problems in Fintech1:08:10 Natasha’s Advice for Designers 👉 If you're interested in fintech, B2B design, or the intersection of design and business strategy, this conversation is for you.Don’t miss it – watch or listen now! 🎥 Youtube 🍏 Apple: https://shorturl.at/s8TTi ► Subscribe on Spotify for more episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bUmQl8pJdDD85QLujojqy?si=780edf5428ee468f Follow us on: Instagram: @theblueprintofadesigner TikTok: @theblueprintofadesigner 🙏 A huge thank you to Natasha for sharing her story and expertise! 📲 Follow Natasha for more insights: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashawu/ Instagram: natashaswu 💡 Subscribe for more deep dives into product design, strategy, and careers in tech. #ProductDesign #Stripe #Fintech #AI #UX #ImposterSyndrome #TechCareers

🎙️ Excited to share the first episode of The Blueprint of a Designer, featuring our inaugural guest, Mo Sayyar! Mo is a visionary designer at Meta Reality Labs and the creator of @xrplayground. 🌟 In this in-depth conversation, Mo takes us on his journey into the world of VR and XR design, sharing how he broke into the industry, honed his craft, and navigated challenges in this cutting-edge space. We also explore the future of immersive technologies, the biggest challenges in designing for virtual and mixed reality, and what it takes to thrive in this dynamic field. Whether you’re just starting your design journey or looking to elevate your expertise, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. (0:00) Introduction (0:57) Getting into Reality Labs (2:05) Childhood Aspirations vs. Reality (3:17) Staying Relevant in XR (5:02) Advice for Entering XR Design (7:45) Building a Career in XR (10:27) Early XR Projects (13:29) Networking and Persistence (17:02) A Day in the Life of an XR Designer (21:22) Prototyping in XR Design (25:40) Creative vs. Technical (29:23) Hardest Part of Designing for XR (33:37) Excitement for the Future of XR (37:42) Predictions for the Future of Interfaces (43:52) Data and Privacy in Future Interfaces (46:50) Proud Career Moments (50:26) IC vs. Managerial Roles (56:33) Lessons from Failures (1:00:03) AI in Design (1:08:14) Coolest Recent XR Experience (1:10:25) What’s Next for Mo (1:12:01) Closing Remarks 🎧 Don’t miss it – watch or listen now! ► Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueprintOfADesigner Follow us on: Instagram: theblueprintofadesigner TikTok: @theblueprintofadesigner 🙏 A huge thank you to Mo for sharing his story and expertise! 📲 Follow Mo for more insights: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammadsayyar/ Instagram: Mohammadsayyar YouTube: Xrplayground X: Mohamad_sayar TikTok: mo_Sayyar #VR #XR #ProductDesign #MoSayyar #VirtualReality #MixedReality #Meta #Technology #Innovation #Design ABOUT DEAN HEASMAN: Dean Heasman is a seasoned product designer with over a decade of experience at companies like Meta and Booking.com. He specializes in leveraging data to inform design decisions while pushing the boundaries of design craft. At Meta, Dean focuses on scaling design impact, creating cohesive strategies, and driving innovation in advertising and technology. Through The Blueprint of a Designer, Dean explores the nuances of product design, offering actionable insights and strategies to help designers create meaningful and impactful experiences.