Design Different

In this episode of Design Different , Jake dives deep into why truly effective design sometimes requires making decisions that aren't immediately popular. He explores why the most valuable insights are often the hardest to deliver, especially to founders who are emotionally invested in their products. Using real-world experiences and practical strategies, Jake reveals how embracing discomfort...

Hitting that quiet plateau where the work keeps rolling but the spark feels dim? In this episode, Jake dissects why mid-career designers and founders drift into creative inertia, and why the usual prescription of “work harder” only deepens the rut. He offers two practical escape routes: a mindset reset that helps you reclaim clarity, value, and purpose, and a systems upgrade that strips away repet...

AI is rapidly swallowing up the repetitive parts of design work—wireframes, layout tweaks, content variants. So where does that leave you as a designer? In this solo episode, Jake breaks down what design after AI really looks like, why pixel-pushing is no longer enough, and how to shift toward high-value roles like orchestration, systems thinking, and ethical design. He unpacks the emerging roles...

Design is at a pivotal crossroads in 2025. AI is dramatically reshaping our tools, redefining our roles, and transforming our industry. In this deeply reflective and extensive episode, I'll explore in detail how designers can not only survive, but genuinely thrive, in the era of AI. We'll discuss preserving the essence of craft, cultivating critical judgement, and uncovering why the futu...

In this episode, I explore a big shift in how I think about design leadership. It's not just about having great taste or a strong creative vision. Those things matter, but they don't scale. What does? Building systems. Systems that help your team make great decisions, move with clarity, and carry your standards forward without you having to be involved in every detail. This is about the...

In this episode of Design Different , I talk with Matt Turnbull. A thoughtful product designer and former freelance colleague, Matt and I chat about about navigating change in the creative world. We explore the shifting landscape of design careers, the impact of AI on creative practice, and how to stay intentional about the work we say yes to. From Matt’s move into remote work and leadership to hi...

In this episode, we unravel one of the biggest myths in design: that creativity means total freedom. Drawing on lessons from traditional graphic design, UX strategy, and two decades of real-world practice, we explore why structure, systems, and constraints are actually what unlock your best work. This is a must-listen for anyone stuck in the chaos of blank canvases, tool fatigue, or endless reinve...

In this episode, we dig into a problem no one talks about enough: the lack of decision clarity in modern design teams. It’s not that we don’t collaborate. It’s that no one knows who’s making the final call. From rigid systems to endless feedback loops, we explore why design systems break, and how to fix them with decision logic, creative leadership, and user signals that actually matter. Read more...

Speed looks productive. It flatters the roadmap. It makes teams feel like they’re moving. But what if all that motion isn’t getting you anywhere? In this episode, Jake unpacks the critical difference between speed and momentum in design. You’ll hear why fast workflows—especially when powered by AI—can create the illusion of progress while burying clarity, alignment, and long-term value. He shares...

Design can be the strongest growth lever in your business—if you know how to prove it. In this episode Jake breaks down the concrete framework he uses with founders to translate pixels into profit. You will learn the three lenses of design ROI, the exact metrics that convince finance, real case studies that moved seven-figure numbers, and a step-by-step guide to building your own live ROI dashboar...

Most design systems launch in a blaze of excitement, then fade into cluttered folders and copy-pasted code. In this episode of Design Different I explain why that slow decay happens, how to run a design system as a living product, and what founders, designers, and developers can do to keep it breathing. Expect practical tactics, real-world stories, and a checklist you can act on tomorrow to turn p...

Designers are brilliant at starting things, but finishing? That’s where everything stalls. In this episode, Jake unpacks why so many creative projects die unfinished, and what indie hackers get right about momentum, mindset, and leverage. If you’ve ever felt stuck in loops of perfectionism or struggled to ship your own work, this one’s for you. Learn how to close loops, create small wins, and star...

Why do great designers struggle to sell themselves, and why do polished brands fall apart the moment they go online? In this episode, we explore the deeper systems failure at the heart of both problems. Whether you’re a founder watching your brand unravel in the wild, or a designer whose work isn’t landing with clients, this episode is your wake-up call. Learn how to bridge the gap between vision...

Creative work often feels chaotic, and design systems often get mistaken for rigid templates. In this episode, we explore what’s really behind the friction, and how the right systems can transform not just your workflow but your entire creative experience. For designers, founders, and anyone building something meaningful: this one’s for you. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/design-systems-sc...

Design isn’t about visuals, and strategy isn’t a deliverable. In this special episode, we explore how thinking like a designer and making strategy a core leadership practice helps founders, creative leaders, and teams create clarity, alignment, and stronger outcomes. From common misconceptions to practical shifts in mindset, this is how design thinking transforms the way you lead. Read more: https...

Design isn't just about how something looks — it's about what it enables. In this episode, we unpack why clarity is the most undervalued skill in modern design and explore how real design impact is measured in outcomes, not visuals. If you've ever questioned whether your work is actually working, this one's for you. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/why-clarity-wins-in-mod...

Most designers focus on the screen in front of them. Great designers focus on the flow between them. In this episode, we unpack why designing in sequences — not just snapshots — separates real experience design from surface-level work. And I’ll share a moment from my own career where I learned that lesson the hard way. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/thinking-in-sequences-not-screens/ Send...

There’s a persistent myth in the design industry that success depends on being relentlessly original. In this episode, we challenge that belief and explore why the most successful designers are often the most consistent — not the most inventive. This is a conversation about creative maturity, structure, and building a career that’s sustainable, not performative. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess....

Usability makes something easy to use. But habit is what brings people back. In this episode, we go beyond clicks and clean UI to explore how designers can align with real human behaviour. Learn how to build meaningful, repeatable experiences that become part of people’s lives. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/designing-for-human-habits/ Send Jake a text message Support the show

Design systems aren’t just for big teams. In this episode, we break down how solo designers can build lightweight, practical systems that save time, reduce errors, and bring structure to their work. If you’re tired of reinventing the wheel on every project, this one’s for you. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/build-your-first-design-system/ Send Jake a text message Support the show

Most designers think their portfolio is their golden ticket to landing clients or getting hired. But what if that’s not entirely true? In this episode, we discuss why your portfolio alone isn’t enough, what clients and hiring managers really look for, and how to use your portfolio as a powerful tool for building trust, not just showcasing visuals. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/portfolio-i...

If you’ve ever hesitated about using templates, worrying they make your work less original or less creative, this episode is for you. We’re diving into why professional designers rely on templates as powerful strategic tools, not creative shortcuts, and how templates actually help you produce better, more impactful work at scale. Check out www.dqode.com for some great starter templates. Read more:...

Most designers think they have a client problem. In reality, they often have a clarity problem. In this episode, I talk about why more leads won’t fix a vague offer, how to structure what you do so people actually understand it, and why specificity is the foundation for a sustainable, independent design practice. If your pipeline feels unpredictable or your work feels hard to explain, this one’s f...

The design industry undervalues even its best talent. That might sound grim, but it’s also your biggest opportunity, if you know how to use it. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/why-the-design-industry-doesnt-value-you/ Send Jake a text message Support the show

Why design careers feel less stable than ever — and how independent thinking is becoming the new security. Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/the-lie-of-security-in-design-jobs/ Send Jake a text message Support the show