Ran Talks Design podcast | Listen online for free

Available Episodes

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How Designers Earn a Seat at the Table: Influence, Credibility, and Career Growth with Ryan Scott
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 stakeholders. If you’ve ever wondered how to finally get your “seat at the table,” this conversation is for you.
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How UX Designers Can Use AI as a Creative Superpower — with Shane Fontane (ex-Grammarly)
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 • The AI stack powering his personal portfolio • Using GPT to turn research docs into product ideas • How hallucinations can be surprising sources of creative inspiration • Why working with AI makes him more strategic, not lessWhether you’re a mid-level designer or staff IC, this episode will inspire you to rethink how you work—with AI as your creative force multiplier.🔗 Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanefontane/🔗 Connect with Ran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranliudesign/🎧 Subscribe to Ran Talks Design for more episodes on AI, UX, and creative growth.00:00 Introduction to AI in Design01:02 Meet Shane Fontane01:38 Shane's AI Stack and Workflow02:23 Impact of AI on Design04:03 Using AI for Research and Synthesis12:08 AI in Portfolio Creation16:14 Scaling Design Critique with AI21:45 AI in Content Design26:40 Fun with AI28:41 Future of AI in Design32:00 Conclusion and Call to ActionAI for designers, GPT design feedback, ChatGPT for UX, design portfolio with AI, Shane Fontane, Grammarly design, growth design tools, future of UX design, AI design workflow, design critique GPT
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From Atlassian Designer to $22M Tech Founder CEO – How Patrick Did It
🎯 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 finding a technical cofounder💡 The truth about founder-led sales, fundraising, and team building as a designer🧠 Patrick’s step-by-step blueprint from Iteratively to Clarify🧩 How your design superpowers can become startup leverage🔗 Connect with RanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranliudesign/🔗 Connect with PatrickLinkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickt010/Clarify: https://www.clarify.ai/💕 Love the content? Consider supporting the channel by buying me a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/rantalksdesign00:00 Introduction to Clarify and Patrick Thompson01:24 Patrick's Career Journey: From Marketing to Design03:28 Founding Iteratively and Lessons Learned04:44 Building Clarify: Vision and Challenges09:55 The Importance of Networking and Support18:59 Balancing Quality and Speed in Product Development23:13 Resource Constraints and Team Growth23:59 Design Principles and Hiring24:32 Advantages of a Design Background26:04 Learning Sales as a Founder27:16 Balancing Multiple Roles29:19 Becoming an Investor35:51 Challenges of Being a Designer Founder39:27 Advice for Aspiring Founders42:36 Clarify and Final Thoughts
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The Real Reason You’re Not Getting Promoted (And What to Do About It)
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 hiring managers look for in Staff Designer interviewsThe difference between Senior and Staff DesignersHow to demonstrate staff-level impact without being a managerThe reality of career resets, emotional burnout, and how to stay in love with the craftMentioned in the show:https://www.cattsmall.comhttps://maven.com/catt-small/staff-designerWhether you’re a Senior Product Designer trying to get promoted, or you’re aiming to understand the Staff+ IC career path, this conversation is full of real talk and tactical advice.
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How Promotions Really Work Behind Closed Doors — Career Growth for Designers with Leslie Yang (Lyft, OpenTable)
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 all wish we had earlier in our careers.🎯 What we cover: • How to know if you’re actually ready for promotion • Why doing great work alone isn’t enough • What happens inside closed-door calibration meetings • Building a strong promotion case (with examples) • What to do when your manager isn’t supporting your growthWhether you’re a mid-level designer, aiming for senior or staff, or managing ICs yourself — this episode will help you navigate the unspoken rules and build a path toward real growth.⸻👤 Guest: Leslie YangLeslie Yang leads product design for core platform teams at Lyft. She loves tackling complex team, product, and user challenges that propel business growth. Prior to Lyft, she led product design for enterprise at OpenTable and taught product discovery and designed 0-1 products from startups to big enterprise clients at Pivotal Labs.https://leslieyang.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-yang-design/⸻🔗 Connect with RanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranliudesign/💕 Love the content? Consider supporting the channel by buying me a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/rantalksdesign🔔 New episodes on growth, product strategy, and startup design every week.If this helped you, share it with someone you care about. Talk soon.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:21 Leslie Yang's Career Journey01:42 Career Growth Framework04:00 Defining Career Growth04:55 Promotion Criteria and Process06:42 Advice for Aspiring Designers09:12 Handling Career Pathway Challenges16:32 Building a Strong Case for Promotion22:05 Aligning Passion with Career Growth23:47 Monthly Check-ins for Growth24:50 Impact of Activities on Promotions26:05 Building a Strong Case for Promotion28:38 Collecting Feedback for Promotion32:33 Understanding the Promotion Decision Process39:09 Managing Up with an Inexperienced Manager40:55 Regular One-on-One Meetings44:01 Reflecting on Career Mistakes45:23 Staying Connected and Continuous Learning
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