Pixelated Path

Episode Description In this episode, Chris Abad sits down with Dean Broadley, a design leader who transformed a banking design team of 150+ people and founded Designing Humans. Dean shares his unconventional journey from teenage comic book designer to design leadership, revealing why self-awareness is the missing ingredient in most design teams. Learn why Dean believes mistakes are your greatest a...

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad chats with Stefan Klosik, an expert in UX design, about what makes a portfolio stand out to hiring managers. Stefan shares key tips including the importance of storytelling, the relevance of showing before and after work, and focusing on a few strong projects rather than a broad array. The discussion also delves into the role of AI in design and t...

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad talks with Jessica Sommer about the emotional and professional challenges of facing job loss in the tech industry. Jessica shares her journey from getting laid off to finding new opportunities, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adapting to change, and staying grounded in a rapidly evolving field. They discuss her educational background, in...

In this candid interview, host Chris Abad sits down with Jason Bly, a seasoned design leader, to explore his journey from Jamaica to leading major design projects at Google. The episode delves into Jason's early struggles, his time at Kodak, and his transition to Google, where he contributed to the redesign of the Google homepage. Jason shares insights on the importance of taking risks, building r...

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad explores the career transformation of Claire Snell-Rood, who transitioned from a successful academic career in anthropology to a dynamic role in UX and product research. Claire discusses her challenges and motivations in moving from academia to agency work and then to her current in-house role at Rippling. She shares valuable insights on applying...

In this episode of 'Pixelated Path,' host Chris Abad is joined by Matt Armstrong, an accomplished designer whose career journey spans from high school web projects to leading design systems at top-tier companies like Zendesk and Dropbox. Matt shares his personal experiences dealing with imposter syndrome, burnout, and the challenges of an ever-evolving tech landscape. He emphasizes the importance...

In this insightful episode of Pixelated Path, Chris Abad chats with Beril Maples about her unconventional journey from aspiring to be an architect to leading UX teams at top tech firms like Salesforce and Google. Beril shares her experiences of facing tech layoffs, transitioning between industries, and moving from individual contributor roles to management. Her candid advice on resilience, negotia...

In this episode, we delve into Scott's transformative career transition from a small design studio to a global leadership role at IBM. Scott shares his experiences and insights on creative evolution, the importance of empathy in leadership, and taking risks in his design career. From working on digital transformations in various industries such as mining, retail, and finance, to forming impactful...

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad interviews Jenna Bilotta, a seasoned UX and product designer with experience at Google, YouTube, and Dropbox. Jenna shares insights on why focusing solely on the details can limit a designer's career and emphasizes the importance of understanding broader systems and frameworks. She recounts her journey into UX, beginning with a pivotal moment insp...

In this episode, host Chris Abad interviews Peter Merholz, an influential design executive and co-founder of Adaptive Path. Peter chats about his unconventional journey from an anthropology major to a design pioneer, and how his background uniquely impacted his approach to human-centered design. They discuss the challenges and insights gained from scaling design teams, spearheading innovation in u...

In this compelling episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad interviews Angel Steger, exploring her fascinating career evolution from architecture to leading roles in UX and product design at major tech companies. Angel shares how her architectural background provided a unique competitive edge in digital design, discusses her experiences at MySpace, Zoopit, and 23andMe, and offers practical advic...

This episode of Pixelated Path features Michelle Morrison, who shares her unique career trajectory from almost becoming a dentist to heading design operations at top tech companies like Square, Twitter, and Google. Hosted by Chris Abad, the conversation delves into Michelle's experiences navigating hyper-growth startups, shaping the future of design ops with AI at Google, and offering insights for...

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad interviews Kai Haley, a prominent figure in UX design. Kai shares her remarkable journey from studying anthropology to becoming a pivotal force in shaping design sprints at Google. The conversation delves into her early passion for the creative arts, the transitions between different creative disciplines, and her continuous quest for self-challeng...

Navigating the Crossroads of Psychology, Technology, and Art with Jess Holbrook In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad delves into the fascinating career journey of Jess Holbrook. With a background in psychology, technology, and art, Jess has become a pivotal figure in the field of responsible AI. From his formative experiences in human-computer interaction to influential roles at tech...

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad interviews UX designer Jen Wong about her courageous transition from a successful role at Dropbox to pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams. Jen discusses her journey, including the foundational role her passion for foster care played, the challenges of navigating a career with ADHD, and her strategies for maintaining mental health. The conversation...

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad interviews Renda Morton about her journey from running a successful design studio in New York to taking on leadership roles at the New York Times and Dropbox. Renda shares her experiences of transitioning from a small studio environment to corporate settings, dealing with challenges, and avoiding burnout while maintaining creative energy. She also...

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad welcomes Josh Silverman and Billie Mandel, two seasoned professionals in UX design and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores their extensive careers, highlighting their roles in major tech companies and their commitment to mentorship and inclusive design. Josh and Billie share stories of their long-standing friendship and professional collab...

Josh Brewer's career in design started with a transition from teaching to freelance work. He developed his skills through self-education and a deep dive into web and graphic design. His early experiences in collaboration with talented engineers shaped his understanding of the importance of design and engineering working together. He emphasized the need for honesty, trust, and integrity in professi...