Design Mob

Jordyn opens up the anonymous advice inbox and goes deep on the questions designers are scared to ask out loud. The messy ones. The uncomfortable ones. The ones we’re all thinking about.We talk about:Why networking feels transactional (and how to make it not suck)How AI is changing team dynamics and what designers can do to stay valuableUX strategy, stakeholder buy-in, and tying design to actual business outcomesThe portfolio obsession, graphic design majors, and the gatekeeping debateWhether design has to be your whole personality to “make it”Why talented designers still aren’t getting hired (and the hard truths behind it)What new grads actually need to do to get their foot in the doorIt’s honest. It’s opinionated. It’s a little grumpy in places. And it’s grounded in real experience, not LinkedIn platitudes.If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, overwhelmed by AI, or just tired of pretending the design industry isn’t weird right now, this one’s for you.We’re all learning.You’re not alone.Submit your anonymous questions for next month here: https://forms.gle/yvY8CRX6cDMZqYQd6

Most of us sprint through our careers without ever stopping to actually look at where we’re going. We jump from project to project, take whatever comes our way, and hope it somehow adds up to growth. But the truth? Creative careers don’t grow by accident, they grow by intention.In this episode, we walk through a five-step process I recommend every designer do at the start of a new year. Think of it as your annual creative inventory, part self-reflection, part strategy, part “get your sh*t together.”We break down:1. Your Role Reality Check: what’s actually on your plate right now (the honest version).2. Your Top Career Priorities: pulled straight from our Career Priorities framework so you can see whether your current job aligns with what matters most.3. A Full UX Skills Assessment: using the Skills Matrix to understand where you’re strong, where you're stretched, and where you need support.4. A 4–6 Week Energy Map: the simplest, spiciest diagnostic tool for figuring out what drains and fuels your work.5. Finding the Overlap: the magic zone where your skills, energy, and priorities align… and how to build a monthly → quarterly → yearly plan around it.This episode is for anyone feeling stagnant, misaligned, overwhelmed, or just curious about how to design a better year for themselves. No corporate jargon. No vague “follow your passion” nonsense. Just real talk, practical tools, and a reminder that your career is something you get to design on purpose.Let’s get intentional. Let’s get honest. And if you want the worksheets, join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/tZgNgkZKbTNext week I'll be answering any questions you might have regarding design. Drop them here: https://forms.gle/ApmzJErvJsdczjRUA

Today we’re getting real about something a lot of designers are feeling but not always saying out loud: the industry is chaotic right now, and it’s way too easy to slip into complaining instead of creating.In this episode, we unpack why frustration has become the default vibe for so many designers, how negativity loops quietly drain momentum, and why venting feels helpful even when it isn’t. We dig into comparison culture, the myth of “the perfect job,” and the trap of blaming companies or the market for everything that feels hard.Most importantly, we talk about what is in our control: our craft, our curiosity, our willingness to explore and grow.This is a call to take design seriously and take ourselves seriously as makers. Not in a rigid way, but in a creative, playful, let’s-get-better-together way.If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or creatively stale, this one’s for you.Listen in, stay curious, and stay weird.

Join me to talk with Patrick Cox, Director of Product Design at Tava Health about AI, design community, teaching, and navigating stakeholders as a designer. We poke some fun at PMs and ultimately come to the conclusion that everyone is taking themselves far too seriously. Let us know what you think!Check out https://design-mob.com/ for podcast prompts and a survey if you want to join me.

This week I talk with Cadell Falconer, a Product Manager at Domo about what exactly product managers do, how they work with designers, and their mindset as the "mini CEOs" of the team. Product managers do a lot behind the scenes, and it was great to hear Cadell's perspective on all the moving parts of a product and how PMs juggle all of it.

Join me in a quick recap of my experience at Config2024, Figma's conference for people who build products. At around the 30 minute mark I've added interviews I did while at the conference with some people in line, Rogie from Figma, and a few Utah peeps! Overall it was such a good time. It's important to keep perspective, stay excited about the future, and work hard. This conference revitalized my passion for design and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to go. How many times did I say "fantastic" or "awesome" in this episode?? Too many. Bless you all for listening. XOXO

This we I talk to Alex Vaughn about her journey being a designer in corporate America. We talk design philosophies, how to do more work that you love doing, and staying weird while doing it. We poke a bit of fun at agencies, but we love them nonetheless. Alex believes in the importance of creativity and thinks designers should run the world. Honestly, I couldn't agree more.

Join us this week to hear from a good friend and old colleague, Josh Thorn. We discuss his background and unconventional journey into UX design as well as how to stay creative in fairly technical landscapes. His perspective on creativity and willingness to help new designers is so needed in the community. Hopefully our listeners feel empowered after this episode. Anyone who wants to learn how to design can!