Ran Talks Design

AI can summarize—but can it understand? In this episode, I sit down with Kyle Soucy, a UX researcher with 25 years of experience and one of the most respected voices in the research community. We talk about how to use AI in your research workflow without losing trust, rigor, or your job to a chatbot. You’ll learn:- How to spot AI hallucinations in your data- What makes synthetic users risky (and w...

Many designers struggle to earn credibility in business conversations. In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Scott (Airbnb, DoorDash, MBA @ Berkeley) to unpack why PMs often get promoted faster than designers—and what to do about it. We cover the 3 patterns that quietly erode design influence, how to speak the language of business, and how to use empathy not just for users, but also for stakeholde...

Can ChatGPT become your design partner?💕 support the channel: buymeacoffee.com/rantalksdesignIn this episode, designer Shane Fontane (formerly at Grammarly, Optimizely) reveals how he’s using AI tools like GPT, Midjourney, Claude, and Remini to co-create, synthesize research, generate ideas, and even critique design layouts. We dive into: • How Shane built a custom GPT to scale design critique •...

🎯 Want to be a design founder — but don’t know where to start? In this episode, I talk to Patrick Thompson, ex-Atlassian design leader turned multi-time founder, about exactly how he went from designer → $22M-funded startup founder — without writing a single line of code. Whether you’re a senior designer, growth PM, or aspiring founder, we break down:✅ How to de-risk your startup idea before fin...

How do you actually get promoted from Senior to Staff Product Designer? What skills, mindset, and strategies matter most at the Staff level? In this episode, I talk with Catt Small , a Staff Product Designer, developer, and game maker who’s worked at companies like Asana, Etsy, SoundCloud, and Nasdaq , about how to move up the design career ladder and build influence as a senior IC. We cover: What...

Ever wondered what really happens when managers decide who gets promoted? In this episode of Ran Talks Design, I sit down with Leslie Yang, design leader at Lyft (formerly OpenTable, Pivotal Labs), to pull back the curtain on how promotion decisions are made — from calibration meetings to performance reviews and the real factors that influence career growth in design. This is the conversation we a...

Join us for a groundbreaking episode of Ran Talks Design, where we sit down with Erika Flowers, a design leader with over 25 years of experience at top companies including Intuit, Mural, and NASA. Erika shares her journey and insights on driving design innovation in traditional and complex organizations. We delve into topics such as the effective integration of AI in design, the importance of char...

My guest today is Andy Budd, veteran design leader, venture capitalist, and author of "The Growth Equation."Andy brings unique insight from both sides of the startup ecosystem - as a designer who's advocated for UX, and as a VC who reviews over 7,000 of startup pitches yearly. In this conversation, we explore why most startups fail, when founders should bring in designers, and how designers can ha...

Former Senior Staff Designer turned celebrity recruiter Hang Xu reveals the uncomfortable truths about getting hired in today's brutal design job market. With candid insights from both sides of the table, this interview cuts through the typical career advice to show you what really happens behind the scenes.☕️ Support my work:https://buymeacoffee.com/rantalksdesign💼 Ready to level up your de...

Have you ever felt like being an introvert is holding you back at work? Like no matter how great your ideas are, they get overlooked because you’re not the loudest voice in the room? You’re not alone. Today, I’m talking to Tim Yeo, a seasoned design leader, coach, and author of The Quiet Achiever (  @thequietachievr  ). Tim’s here to show you how to succeed as your authentic self. No pretending, n...

Dive into vision and strategy with Karol, a product design leader who’s made waves at companies like Shopify and Personio. ☕ Love the content? Consider supporting the channel by buying me a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/rantalksdesign 🔗 Connect with Ran Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranliudesign/ ADP profile: https://adplist.org/mentors/ran-liu - Currently mentorship slots open! 🔗 Connect wi...

Join us in this insightful episode of Ran Talks Design as we sit down with Will Newton, Principal Product Designer at Amplitude, to explore the fascinating journey behind Amplitude’s latest major redesign. Learn about the bold steps taken to enhance user experience, the strategies employed, and the challenges and learnings along the way. Will shares his unique approach to tackling complex design p...

In this episode, I sit down with  @AlienaCai  , a designer-turned-entrepreneur whose inspiring journey offers valuable insights for anyone looking to redefine their career. Starting as a UX designer at eBay, Aliena’s path took a bold turn when her YouTube content, now featured in Forbes and major universities, gained traction and revealed a gap in design education. We discuss everything from the l...

Join us in this insightful episode of Ran Talks Design as we sit down with Kyle Lambert, Staff Product Designer at Webflow, to explore his fascinating journey into design, career growth, and creative side projects. Learn about his impactful role at Webflow, his design philosophy, and how he balances big-picture thinking with practical execution. Plus, get a sneak peek into his innovative side proj...