In this episode of UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Andy Budd – design leader, coach, investor, and long-time advocate for the design community. When we last spoke in 2021, Andy had just stepped away from Clearleft, the agency he co-founded, and was embracing a new chapter. Four years on, we catch up on what’s happened since.

We talk about his transition from agency founder to solo coach and advisor, how a “serendipity break” turned into new opportunities, and the accidental path that led him to write his new book, The Growth Equation. Andy shares why he believes design is at a turning point, why AI tools are accelerating the commoditisation of design, what he’s seeing inside the startup ecosystem, and the ways design leaders can better communicate their value in increasingly complex organisations.

It’s a conversation about reinvention, relevance, and what he’s learning from being bad at something again – whether that’s flying planes, or playing the drums.

Plus:

☕️ Why the coffee shop the Onion in Seoul in South Korea is his favourite

🌟 Why not to ask a coach for life advice

What we cover:

01:37 The Journey of ClearLeft and Employee Ownership

03:34 Navigating a Serendipity Break

07:28 Rediscovering Passions: Flying and Drumming

10:33 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Coaching

14:23 The Birth of a Book: Insights and Lessons

22:29 The Power of Writing in Design and Leadership

25:59 Gathering Around Design Tools

31:34 The Future of Design Profession in The Time of AI

48:13 Investing in Designer Skills

53:08 Experiencing Failure and Culture Change

54:44 The Future of Entrepreneurship and Design

57:32 Challenges for Designers as Founders

01:02:45 Communication and Influence in Design

01:09:25 Reflections on Life and Advice

Where to find Andy:

• • ⁠LinkedIn⁠
  • ⁠Website⁠
  • ⁠Stacklist⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• 
  

  Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:

  • ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

  • 
    

  If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.

  ~

  #uxdesign, #productdesign #business, #technology, #adventure, #serendipitybreak #productdesign #seedcamp #thegrowthequation #ai #designleadership #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #andybudd #clearleft

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Cennydd Bowles – technology ethicist, author of Future Ethics, and recent Fulbright Scholar. We last spoke four years ago, just as ethical design was entering the mainstream. A lot has happened since then.

Cennydd shares what he’s been up to – completing a master’s in Practical Ethics at Oxford, teaching in the U.S., and now preparing for a PhD exploring deception in AI-driven interfaces. We talk about what’s changed since 2021, why he’s now fully stepped away from hands-on design, and what concerns him most about AI’s role in shaping the future of work.

We explore how the commoditisation of design has created the perfect entry point for automation, why “good enough” might be all companies care about, and how designers can respond – ethically, strategically, and collectively. Cennydd also shares a first look at his next book, What Could Go Wrong?, and why he’s more interested than ever in equipping designers with practical ways to anticipate harm and push back.

Plus:

☕️ Why grapes is his go to fika nowadays

⭐ Why you should remember the sea exists

Where you’ll find Cennydd:

• ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:

• ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• 
  

If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.

~

#uxdesign, #business, #ai #deceptivepatterns #whatcouldgowrong #technology, #ai #ethics #innovation #productdesign #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #cennyddbowles

Welcome to the second season of the UX Fika podcast.

Four years ago, I sat down with some of the most thoughtful voices in design, product and tech. Part of our conversations then were about resilience and shaped by the transition to remote work and what it means to shape meaningful careers and companies in uncertain times. A lot has changed since then.

So this season, I'm reconnecting with those same guests to find out what's happened since. How have their views shifted? What have they learned and what still holds true? And what's happening in their careers and their lives as of now? And of course, what do they make of the future of design in a world where AI is making its mark? These are not just updates. They're conversations about how we adapt, grow, and keep on moving forward. And this time, there's a video too, so you can watch as well as listen.

New episodes will be released as usual each Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.