Design More Despair Less

The world gives you plenty of reasons to be cynical. The news, politics, social media, the relentless pace of change — it all adds up. And honestly? The cynicism isn't always unfounded. But what if choosing idealism isn't naivety — it's a strategy? In this episode, I break down the AI and jobs conversation without the doom or the blind optimism. Yes, the shift will be hard. Yes, real displacement...

In this episode of Design More Despair Less I read an article I wrote titled "What If You Are Capable of So Much More?". If you would like to read the article it can be found on my 𝕏 profile or on Medium . | I'm on X! Follow me @BilyeuPD right here: https://x.com/BilyeuPD . Follow me on Medium (https://medium.com/@BilyeuPD ). Subscribe to the Design30 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Desi...

I failed and posted this Fail More Friday on a Saturday! Okay, I know it's not the biggest failure in the world but still, not what I planned. However, it fit's in perfectly with this episode that is all about failure. Although uncomfortable, and with very real risks, failure is necessary to build something impactful. To achieve true greatness, design exceptional products, and build successful com...

We are so much better at recognizing than recalling. We've all experienced this when struggle to recall a name or a town but we know all of the names that it isn't! Isn't that weird? Well, it's a common occurrence for all of us and something designers should understand when creating products aimed at being usable and useful. | I'm on X! Follow me @BilyeuPD right here: https://x.com/BilyeuPD . Foll...

In this episode I discuss what a Gap Analysis is and how it can be used both to improve your product design and your business as a whole. Every great product company has a current state and a desired state, with a laundry list of gaps in between. This episode will help you understand how to identify and close those gaps. | I'm on X! Follow me @BilyeuPD right here: https://x.com/BilyeuPD . Follow m...

A nostalgic look back at the iconic and timeless movie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Who knew that this old classic would hold so many gold nuggets for designer in our day and age. In this episode I dive deep into the lyrical (and design) genius of the song "Grow The Roses of Success". Come take a walk down memory lane and learn a thing or two about the mindset you need to succeed in spite of failure...

In this episode I discuss the despair we face in the United States as evidenced by the past week and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Despair devalues, dehumanizes, and devolves us as human beings. We must fight it with everything we have. | I'm on X! Follow me @BilyeuPD right here: https://x.com/BilyeuPD . Follow me on Medium (https://medium.com/@BilyeuPD ). Subscribe to the Design30 YouTube Ch...

In this episode I discuss how user centered design impacts new tech industries such as quantum computing and cryogenics. New technologies are ripe for improvement and a user centered mindset allows you to design a product your customers will love. Less frustration, less service calls, and better performing products will set you apart as a designer as well as your company in a new tech market. | I'...

In this episode of Design More Despair Less I read an article I wrote about Elon Musk's "Idiot Index". If you would like to read the article it can be found on my 𝕏 profile or on Medium . | I'm on X! Follow me @BilyeuPD right here: https://x.com/BilyeuPD . Follow me on Medium (https://medium.com/@BilyeuPD ). Subscribe to the Design30 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DesignMoreDespairLess...

We are back and better than ever with an all new podcast title: Design More. Despair Less. Sound familiar? Of course it does! I'm jumping back into the podcast and bring more relevant, holistic, but still design heavy content. Please reach out and reconnect as we push to improve the world by encouraging design and punching despair in the face one episode at a time. | I'm on X! Follow me @BilyeuPD...

Can Grok be your Mechanical Engineering assistant? Listen to this episode and find out! Artificial Intelligence will impact all of our lives in a significant way, no matter who you are or what you do. Stay ahead of the curve and start using AI to make yourself more efficient and effective. | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://x.com/jbilyeudesign . Follow me on Medium ( https:...

In this episode I talk about threat detection, what it is, how it is used in design, and how it is utilized to grab and hold our attention online. Yes, AI is a threat and people are using that to grab your attention (just like I am doing right now). | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://x.com/jbilyeudesign . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium.com/@design30 ). Become a free s...

In this episode I respond to a listener question on how to pick a life dream to pursue when you have been juggling multiple for years! | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://x.com/jbilyeudesign . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium.com/@design30 ). Become a free subscriber to access and read all of my Substack articles (subscribe here: https://design30.substack.com ). Subscrib...

I provide a few thoughts on Inauguration Day and how we should focus on what we can do as individuals to improve ourselves, our families, and our communities. It's not our thoughts but our actions which will make an impact on this world for good. | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://x.com/jbilyeudesign . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium.com/@design30 ). Become a free subs...

In this episode I discuss what SpaceX is doing to destroy your despair and why you should pay attention! | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://x.com/jbilyeudesign . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium.com/@design30 ). Become a free subscriber to access and read all of my Substack articles (subscribe here: https://design30.substack.com ). Subscribe to the Design30 YouTube Chan...

In this episode I talk about the new Realbotix humanoid robots unveiled at CES this past week and use them as an opportunity to talk about the concept of the Uncanny Valley. Enjoy! | CNET Article: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/we-interviewed-aria-a-175k-almost-human-robot-at-ces-2025/ TECHEBLOG: https://www.techeblog.com/realbotix-melody-arya-humanoid-robot/ Realbotix Website: ht...

A reading from "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin and a few thoughts from me on it. | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://twitter.com/jbilyeudesign30 . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium.com/@design30 ). Become a free subscriber to access and read all of my Substack articles (subscribe here: https://design30.substack.com ). Subscribe to the Design30 YouTube Cha...

In this episode of the Design30 Podcast I discuss user personas and why they are a useful design tool. Personas help us define and understand our users while also aiding in communicating their needs to the design team. Additionally, these archetypal user personas provide specificity where ambiguity typically reigns, at the start of a project. Remember, a product designed for everyone serves no one...

In this episode of the Design30 Podcast I discuss the differences and similarities between innovation and invention. Additionally, I provide some thoughts on despair to close out the week. | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://twitter.com/jbilyeudesign30 . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium.com/@design30 ). Become a free subscriber to access and read all of my Substack artic...

Sometimes things are so commonplace we don't even realize we are taking them for granted. Light is one of those things! The engineering and innovation that has brought use light whenever we want it should not be overlooked or under appreciated. From Christmas lights to a simple overhead light, we have light all around us at the flip of a switch. Our ancestors had to work for it! | I'm on X! Follow...

In this episode I discuss the 4 steps to design driven innovation as defined in the book Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley. The four steps are: 1) Inspiration 2) Synthesis 3) Ideation and Experimentation 4) Implementation. Understanding this process will help you actually create an innovative culture for your company and provide actionable advice on how to develop innovative products. Wh...

This is the very first Design More Monday! In this new series I will be bringing you a design related topic every Monday for you to implement throughout the week. To start off, I provide how the concept of Creative Confidence has shaped the way I view creativity in myself. | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://twitter.com/jbilyeudesign30 . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium....

In this first of many "Despair Less Friday" episodes I talk about the future benefits of Tesla Optimus-like robots completely ending the disgusting practice of slave labor. | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://twitter.com/jbilyeudesign30 . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium.com/@design30 ). Become a free subscriber to access and read all of my Substack articles (subscribe h...

Design30 is back! In this episode I provide an introduction to Hick's Law and how Ockham's Razor can be used in everyday design work. Enjoy! | I'm on X! Follow me @jbilyeudesign30 right here: https://twitter.com/jbilyeudesign30 . Follow me on Medium ( https://medium.com/@design30 ). Become a free subscriber to access and read all of my Substack articles (subscribe here: https://design30.substack.c...

In this episode I discuss how design constraints can actually lead to more freedom in decision making, eliminate design paralysis, and reduce writers "designers block". A lack of constraints will inevitably lead to compounding arbitrary decisions which will wreak havoc on project budgets and timelines. | Design for Manufacturability & Concurrent Engineering: https://a.co/d/04ON6Wlx | I'm on X!...