Shows
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Designing freedom in your career and life with Larry CornettEver wondered how you can take control of your career and life to achieve true freedom and fulfilment?In this episode, Nirish Shakya engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Larry Cornett, a former designer and executive turned Freedom Coach. Larry shares his journey from Silicon Valley to a life of freedom near the mountains, revealing his strategies for achieving career invincibility. Emphasising the importance of finding joy and meaning in work, Larry discusses self-improvement, financial autonomy, and effective self-marketing as keys to a fulfilling career.Larry highlights the power of having options and not being...
2024-06-281h 25
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Transforming self-perception: Petra Williams on authenticity, hope, and expressionIn this episode, host Nirish Shakya speaks with motivational speaker, life coach and poet, Petra Williams. They explore the journey of overcoming societal standards and personal fears, the layers of identity with the inner illumination model, and transforming inspiration into actionable steps. Petra emphasises the importance of self-reflection, support networks, and managing ego. She also discusses the power of unfiltered self-expression through poetry, lessons from Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning,' and the critical role of hope and vision for the future. Tune in for Petra's advice on embracing authenticity, living life fully, and overcoming personal challenges.
2024-05-231h 29
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Designing tomorrow beyond human-centricity with Martin Tomitsch and Steve Baty (plus free book giveaways!)In this in-depth discussion, recorded at the UTS podcast studio in Sydney, Australia, Nirish Shakya talks with Martin Tomitsch and Steve Baty, co-authors of the book 'Designing Tomorrow.' Keep listening to win a free copy of the book!They delve into the shifting paradigms of the design industry, advocating for a life-centred approach that goes beyond human and business needs to consider the health of the planet and all its life forms.The conversation covers the essential mindsets, tools, and techniques for designers, changemakers, and entrepreneurs to foster more sustainable practices and product life...
2024-04-181h 17
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)The Power of Pointless Creativity Projects with Steve ChapmanThis episode features a profound conversation with Steve Chapman, focusing on the liberation from societal constraints to embrace creative spontaneity and personal development. Steve shares his transition from as a organisational culture expert to pursuing artistic freedom, underlining the importance of lived experiences over traditional learning. Steve’s projects like 'Sound of Silence' and 'Lost Cat' underscore the value of initiating endeavours without fixed goals, highlighting an organic discovery process. Additionally, Steve discusses his mask workshops, derived from Keith Johnson's concepts and Gestalt therapy, which facilitate personal discovery by encouraging participants to express hidden facets of...
2024-03-281h 29
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Decolonising ourselves: The journey to healing-centered ecosystems with Lana JelenjevIn this deep conversation with consultant, facilitator, and mentor, Lana Jelenjev, and host Nirish Shakya, they delve into topics of self-discovery, healing-centred ecosystems, and building deep connections. They discuss the importance of pausing, self-reflection, decolonising oneself, and the role of body consciousness in healing. Lana shares her personal story, weaving through the stages of her life, from battling breast cancer to embarking on a self-discovery journey. This episode is packed with deep introspective discussions, powerful anecdotes, and significant insights about personal healing and how it radiates to form healing-centred ecosystems.In this episode:From breast-cancer to...
2024-03-081h 15
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Going to jail to save the world - Sam GriffithsIn this deep-dive interview, designer and activist Sam Griffiths details his journey from a design career into environmental activism, particularly with the organisation, Just Stop Oil. Sam discusses how entering the world of activism changed his perspective on the world and the importance of activism in our current climate crisis. Griffiths provides an insightful narrative on his confrontations with authorities, his experiences in prison, and the personal empowerment that arises as a result. He also shares advice for people feeling powerless in the face of massive systemic issues and emphasises the importance of collective action and resilience. Sam is...
2024-02-231h 13
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Unlocking your unique identity within liminal spaces with Tutti TaygerlyNirish Shakya interviews Tutti Taygerly, leadership coach, author and ex-Design leader at Meta and Disney, on navigating uncertain times and finding their unique place in the world. Diving into the notions of identity, systems, and personal growth amidst transitions, they discuss embracing individual uniqueness and the concept of 'otherness'. Tutti shares valuable insights on experimenting with personal leadership, trusting the process, seeking validation, and a deeper understanding of our position in the larger system. They also talk about Tutti's prolific multicultural background and how it influenced her career. Tune in to glean enlightening advice from Tutti's personal journey and...
2024-02-081h 19
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Achieving last year’s goals hasn’t made me happy. Here’s what I’m doing in 2024 instead.Welcome to Season 5! Let's face it, 2023 was a challenging year for many designers and techies, and 2024 might not show immediate signs of improvement. Amidst this prevailing uncertainty, you might be seeing an influx of social media posts about setting new goals, while you're still trying to recharge and find your bearings.Falling into a cycle of setting goals, achieving them, and then feeling guilty for not achieving more is all too common. But what if a small shift in mindset could change your experience of the year ahead? What if you could learn to enjoy the journey...
2024-01-2516 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Bonus episode: 15 minute guided end-of-year reflectionThe new year is a great time to reflect on the past year, recalibrate your direction and refocus your energy for the new year. There are lots of great reflection exercises out there but many can take at least a few hours to do. If you’ve been thinking of doing a reflection but haven’t been able to find the time, I’ve designed a condensed version for you that’s less than 15 minutes long.I’ll guide you through:a reflection of your past year - what energised you and what drained...
2023-12-3114 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Reflecting on your year, riding the waves you’re on and being aware of the mountain you're climbing with Josie Downey and Jason Mesut#047 - We wrap up Season 4 reflecting on some end of year reflection workshops I ran with Design Strategist, Josie Downey, to help designers and changemakers reflect on their year and refocus on 2024. We are also joined by Product Strategy Consultant, Jason Mesut, who attended one of those workshops.Have you reflected on your year and set your intentions for 2024? If you already have or if you’re thinking of doing one, this episode might give you some ideas and new ways of going about it.In this episode:Bringing your body into your reflection ex...
2023-12-221h 19
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)From darkness to design leadership: A candid chat with Rob Armes on beating psychosis#046 - How we feel has a direct impact on our creativity and confidence. However, we don’t openly talk about our mental health at work. In this episode, I speak to my friend Rob Armes who’s a design leader and founder of the UX consultancy, Circular UX. Rob opens up on his mental health struggles, including periods of psychosis and suicidal thoughts. And even after recovering and returning back to work, he experienced severe imposter syndrome. Rob shares how he got back on his feet and took back control of his life and career, which...
2023-12-0858 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Let go of the illusion of control and personal responsibility through facilitation - Charles-Louis de Maere#045 - Do you take personal responsibility for things that don’t go according in your plan in your organisation? Do you try to control the outcome and burn yourself out in the process? What if you could let go of all that?In this episode, I speak to Charles-Louise de Maere who’s an expert facilitator helping organisations with collaborative thinking, storytelling and visual thinking. Charles-Louis shares some amazing facilitation techniques that’ll enable you transform your sense of personal responsibility into a collective one within your organisation. He also talks about “Kishōtenketsu”, an Asian storytelling framework w...
2023-11-241h 19
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Hey designers, they're gaslighting you - Sara Wachter-BoettcherDesigners, you’ve been sold a lie. You’ve been told you need to work harder, do more with less and prove your value. You’ve done all that but it’s left you frustrated, misaligned and burnt out.In this episode, Sara Wachter-Boettcher lifts the lid on the bottled up feelings so many designers have right now. Sara digs into the roots of where these (often well intended) messages are coming from and how you can manage them, putting your own needs and well-being first. Sara shares valuable advice to help to reframe your definition of success...
2023-11-101h 13
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Systems thinking to know yourself and others better with Boon Chew#042 - Join us in an insightful discussion with Boon Chew, a principal UX designer at Elsevier and a former board member at the London chapter of the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). Dive into the world of systems thinking as we explore how designers can utilise it to comprehend the larger systems they're designing for. From understanding our intrinsic cognitive systems to fostering empathy through awareness, Boon shares that systems thinking not only enhances our design perspective but also deepens our understanding of ourselves and others.ShownotesBoon Chew on LinkedIn
2023-10-051h 01
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Know your unique strengths for your own wellbeing and peace with Kate Berry#042 - You need to be good at everything - that’s the narrative we’re sold from pretty early on. The industry celebrates unicorns, magical beings who can do almost anything. However, we all have strengths that are unique to each one of us and trying to use our lesser strengths can drain our energy, making it difficult for us to get into a state of flow and impacting our wellbeing.In this episode, I speak with Kate Berry, Instructor Manager at General Assembly and my strengths coach. Kate unravels the secrets to understanding and harnessing our inna...
2023-09-211h 14
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Redefining growth: Embracing curiosity and transversal skills with Saskia Listle#041 - Join us in this enlightening episode with Saskia Listle, a digital humanist and founder of the Academy of Future Skills, which is a community of learning practice, a think-tank and a consultancy on the Future of our Skills. Dive deep into the value of transversal skills and why they offer a sense of purpose that hard skills can't. We'll explore the concepts of T-shaped vs V-shaped employees, the power of curiosity in shaping one's professional path, and the potential pitfalls of an unchecked growth mindset. Saskia also reveals her top 3 skills, which have been instrumental in her journey.
2023-08-241h 15
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Navigating the digital world with intention, heart and purpose with Katja Forbes#040 - In a world driven by rapid growth, how do you stay connected to one’s inner compass and lead with intention, kindness and ethics? Join us for a candid chat with my good friend, Katja Forbes. Recognised as one of top 50 Australian professionals, Top 10 Women Disrupters and as one of Westpac/Australian Financial Review's '100 Women of Influence', Katja shares her learnings and wisdom from an illustrious career as a designer, design leader and entrepreneur.In this episode:Managing your inner criticHow to make it easier for people to give you useful feedbackThe hi...
2023-08-101h 16
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)The power of mindsets and mindfulness with Rizwan Javaid#039 - Welcome to Season 4 of the Design Feeling Podcast!We kick off the new season with an inspiring conversation with Rizwan Javaid, a seasoned human-centred designer from San Francisco and the creator of the Low Fidelity Newsletter and Unleash Your Mindset Podcast.Rizwan opens up about his struggles with fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome, and shares how he overcame these challenges through the deliberate practice of mindsets and mindfulness.Free UXConf ticket giveaway!Win a free virtual ticket worth £114 to attend the UX Conf conference on Wednesday 13th S...
2023-07-2749 min
Conversations with my Future SkillsNirish Shakya on Self Awareness
Nirish Shakya
Saskia Listle
Welcome to another conversation with my future skills, the podcast where I talk with interesting people about what skills we have and what skills we need to have to be present in the future.
In this episode I talk to Nirish Shakya. He is a Design Thinking Consultant, Educator and Coach. He is helping organisations to create impactful customer experiences by empowering teams to put their customers first, collaborate creatively without the fear of judgement and innovate faster. Nirish has taught Design Thinking and Innovation at General Assembly, Berghs School of Communication, and...
2023-06-151h 38
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Following your heart and empowering young people with Design Thinking with Jenna Maudlin#038 - For the final episode of Season 3, join us in this inspiring conversation with Jenna Maudlin, a multi-award-winning designer and advocate for social good. Jenna is currently working with Apart of Me, a charity empowering children and young people to cope with loss and trauma. Jenna shares her journey of following her heart as a designer to teaching design thinking to young minds. We also discuss co-designing with children and young people as therapeutic intervention. Jenna also puts a call out for you to get involved with her exciting projects she’s working on. In this...
2023-06-091h 16
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Beyond the Bootcamp: The Nuances of Becoming a Competent Designer#037 - In this podcast episode, host Nirish Shakya has a heart-to-heart conversation with three of his UX design students from General Assembly, Junying Lim, Sarah Willet, and Freddie Grzybowski. They discuss the nuances of becoming a competent designer beyond just the methods and tools learned in a boot camp. They delve into personal and professional journeys that shape a designer's perspectives and approach to design.Key topics discussed:The courage it takes to embrace the unknown and the discomfort that comes with learning something newThe importance of personal experiences and perspectives in shaping a designerWhy knowing...
2023-05-251h 23
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Designing parenthood: A journey of self-discovery and empowerment with Rachel Arthur#036 - Service designer, facilitator, coach and a recent mum, Rachel Arthur discusses the challenges and growth that come with parenthood and how it can lead to increased self-awareness. We also talk about the importance of slowing down and how our constant busyness might distract us from meeting our deeper needs. Rachel also shares how becoming a parent, particularly a mother, can force a reconnection with the body and serve as a powerful transition for personal growth. Rachel also shares practical tips for reconnecting with your body at any moment during your busy day.In this episode:...
2023-05-1255 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)From overthinking to deep thinking with Kim Witten#035 - Nirish Shakya talks to his coach Kim Witten PhD. Kim shares her journey from working in the design industry in San Francisco to pursuing a PhD in sociolinguistics in the UK. Kim shares her insights on how to turn overthinking into a superpower by reframing it as curiosity. She emphasises the need to be curious and non-judgmental when experiencing negative emotions, and to try to befriend them. They also discuss the importance of focusing on the essentials to do less but do them better and celebrating wins, no matter how small they are. Tune in to this enriching...
2023-04-271h 31
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)The UX of Sex with Nina McNamara#034 - Sex! It’s one of our most basic human interactions that also one that brings with it lots of complexities, unmet needs and plain awkwardness. What if you could approach it as a design challenge and simplify it a bit?In this episode, Nirish Shakya talks with Nina McNamara, a design leader, entrepreneur, and activist, about the UX of sex. Nina is the founder of UX of Sex and is on a mission to help people consciously design their relationships and sex lives. Together, they discuss how to co-create a relationship and cultivate candid conversations about re...
2023-04-131h 14
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Designing adventures and recreating awe for clarity and creativity with Kim Slade#033 - When was the last time you felt a sense of awe? Research shows that experiencing can make you happier, healthier and more humble. So often we tend to lose our awe we had as kids as we turn into adults and life becomes a busy routine. Kim Slade is trying to change that. He is the founder of Unlost Co, where he designs immersive adventures to help people recreate that childhood awe. In this episode, Kim shares his method for designing these immersive experiences that engages the 5 senses through every touchpoint. He also talks about his 4 step story...
2023-03-301h 12
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Making work about humans, not just products#032 - How safe do you feel failing, learning and growing in your organisation? In this episode, I had a chat with my good friends Sinem Erdemli and Callum Goodwilliam who’re also the co-founders of Random Animal, a social impact company that’s on a mission to improve work for everyone through better access to learning, design and community.Sinem and Callum emphasise the need to focus on the human aspect of work and creating conditions in organisations where teams and individuals thrive. They also talk about the importance of building safe spaces and communities where people can...
2023-03-161h 05
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Using the future to design the present with Lena Tünkers#031 - The future can seem like a figment of our imagination and devoid of reality. Our mind naturally creates multiple scenarios of how the future might unfold but we either ignore them or get worried about them.In this episode, I speak with designer, facilitator and futures literacy educator Lena Tünkers on futures literacy and how we can use the future to shape the present. Lena mentions how analysing alternate versions of the future can be a powerful exercise in making them a reality. Lena also shares simple techniques you can use to reframe your imagined f...
2023-03-021h 04
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Skip the small talk with Jan Keck#030 - Do you leave a networking event or a conference with a stack of business cards but not much connection? That’s because most of our conversations are limited to small talk and stay on the surface.In this episode, experience designer, facilitator, TEDx speaker and small-talk detoxer Jan Keck shares his advice on facilitating conversations that go deeper whilst building trust and connection.In this episode:Having genuine curiosity as a facilitatorPrioritising connection over contentFacilitating silenceIce-melters over ice-breakersStarting conversations like starting a campfireand much more!Shownotes...
2023-02-161h 04
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Creativity, mindfulness and the impact of AI with Radim Malinic#029 - Are you a designer or problem solver who wants to be more creative but are stuck in the routine of the daily grind? In this episode, I chat with Radim Malinic. Radim is a designer, creative director and best selling author of multiple books on branding, creativity and mindfulness. Radim takes us on a journey into his creative mind and how he thinks and feels creativity and incorporates mindfulness to keep himself grounded in the messiness of creativity.In this episode:Utilising your job titles but not be bound by themGiving yourself opportunities to exploreUsing...
2023-02-021h 01
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)End of year reflections and being aware of the self and the system you're part of with Andi Mignolo#028 - Welcome to Season 3! As designers, we are good at thinking and doing. But what about being? How does that look and feel like? In this first episode of Season 3, I spoke with Andrea (Andi) Mignolo, designer, executive coach and the President of the Interaction Design Association. Andi talks about self-awareness but also awareness of the system the self is part of.In this episode:Ontology: a way of beingCentering yourselfHow self-awareness makes you a better designerEmbracing resistance as part of the creative processUncoupling design and capitalismand much more!Shownotes...
2023-01-1959 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Best of Season 2: Recap and learningsIn this final episode of Season 2, Nirish recaps his top highlights and learnings from the 12 episodes of the season.Share your ideas and suggestions with Nirish at nirish@designfeeling.coShownotesTim Yeo, the Quiet Achieverhttps://www.thequietachievr.com/Courtney Carlsson, Paradym apphttps://theparadym.com/Solve Problems That Matter: Design, Build & Launch Your Social Enterprise Idea by Ben Pecotichhttps://dynamic4.com/solve-problems-that-matter/Human-Powered Book by Trenton Mosshttps://humanpoweredbook.com/...
2023-01-0823 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Candid end of year reflections with three design leaders#026 - To wrap up the year, I had a candid chat with 3 friends who are all design leaders and creatives. Egle is a designer, researcher and lifestyle photographer who leads design teams for a global corporation. Rafa is a Design Director, Product Design Consultant, and Visiting Lecturer at The Bartlett (UCL) and London College of Communication (UAL). Sinem is a Principal UX Designer and Design Lecturer. We talked about how the year 2022 was for each one of them and their biggest challenges, learnings and advice for designers.In this episode:Active listening and trusting people first...
2022-12-2253 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Looking for your first UX job as an immigrant with Dorsa MokhtariIranian-born architect and recent UX design graduate shares her experience of moving from Iran to the UK, studying UX at General Assembly and looking for her first UX job. Nirish answers her mentoring questions too.In this episode:Moving from architecture to UX designCreativity as self-expressionOvercoming the language barrierThe benefits of an interactive teacher-led courseComing out of your comfort zone as a teaching assistantPros and cons of not being a non-native speakerLooking for your first UX job as an immigrantand much more!ShownotesDorsa Mokhtarihttps://www.linkedin.com...
2022-12-0859 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Laid off? Look inside before you look outside - Kate Pincott#024 - We’ve seen a lot of layoffs in the tech industry. Whatever the reasons might be, it can be one of the lowest points in your career and your life. Whilst our natural reaction is to find another role as quickly as possible especially if finances are a concern for you, using this transition to stop, reflect and recalibrate your career trajectory can help you grow and find the next step that aligns with your values and gives you the joy and meaning you seek. In this episode, Design Leader and Coach, Kate Pincott, shares her step-by-step guide to...
2022-11-2458 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Creative confidence with the 12-minute method with Robbie Swale#023 - You’re a talented and hard-working doer but have you been putting off putting yourself out there and creating content to help others? In this episode, I chat with Robbie Swale, leadership coach, author and podcaster, who, in 2016, started writing blog-posts on his 12 min train journey to work and after 6 years, he’s now the author of the 12-Minute Method series of books, including How to Start When You’re Stuck, How to Keep Going When You Want to Give Up and How to Create the Conditions For Great Work. Robbie talks about importance of starting small and focusi...
2022-11-101h 14
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Getting cozy, juicy and real with your colleagues - Sophia and Jed Lazar#022 - Would you like to get cozy, juicy and real with your colleagues, friends and family? Most of the time, we stay on the surface while interacting with people . We do a lot of small talk on topics like the weather, TV shows or just work. But those conversations don’t allow us to connect with people at a deeper level and get to know the real person behind the social mask.In this episode, I spoke with with Sophia Lazar and Jed Lazar. Sophia and Jed are board game designers and group facilitators who are on a...
2022-10-281h 05
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)From Human-Centred Design to Life-Centred Design with Dr. Martin Tomitsch#021 - Too much human-centricity is killing the planet and we’re part of the problem. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Martin Tomitsch on life-centred design, a new way of building products and services that considers the needs of non-human stakeholders and the planet.Martin is a Professor in Interaction Design at the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning. He teaches interface design, design thinking, creativity and innovation. He also is the lead author of “Design Think Make Break Repeat”, a handbook of design methods. In this episode, we shift the focus away fro...
2022-10-131h 06
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Designing is Not Your Superpower - Joe Leech#020 - Advisor and coach to CEOs and recovering neuroscientist and UXer, Joe Leech, gives a pep talk for designers who’re feeling bored or trapped and encourages them to question what they’re doing and why.Most designers pride themselves on their craft. After all, that’s what clients are paying for, right? But is that what they need? In this episode, Joe Leech challenges the notion that delivering designs is a designer’s superpower and how you can find your real superpower instead. We also talk about work-life balance and doing less for more.Most des...
2022-09-291h 14
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Neurodiversity is great for design and for business with Matthew Bellringer#019 - We are all neurodiverse but we’re encouraged to leave our neurodiversities at the door just so we can “fit in”. However, neurodivergent designers can bring in a lot of lived experiences helpful for innovation, especially when designing for neurodivergent users. In this episode, I chat with Matthew Bellringer, creative innovation consultant, neurodiversity advocate and social entrepreneur. Matthew was diagnosed with ADHD when we was 39 and autism at 42. For Matthew, increasing neurodiversity in organisations is not just a morally right thing to do but also a competitive advantage. In this episode:Neurodivergence in designR...
2022-09-151h 12
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Doing amazing work is just half the job - Trenton Moss#018 - As designers and problem solvers, we pride ourselves on our craft and hard skills. But those will only take you halfway. Beyond that, you’ll need people skills to really be an impactful designer.In this episode, I speak with Trenton Moss, Founder of Webcredible, one of the first UX agencies in the UK and author of ‘Human-Powered’, a book on emotional intelligence for digital product teams.We explore techniques that will help you understand others better, run more effective meetings and become a people-centred leader.In this episode:No one's intere...
2022-09-011h 03
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Solve problems that matter with Ben Pecotich#017 - Design can change the world but many of us designers work in jobs we hate, solving problems we don’t care about. In this episode, I speak with Ben Pecotich on solving problems that matter without compromising your own values and wellbeing. Ben is a designer, coach, and founder of the social enterprise Dynamic4. He recently wrote a book called ‘Solving Problems that Matter’ where he lays out a simple framework for changemakers to design, build and launch their social enterprise idea. Ben shares his biggest learnings that can help us make the impact we’re seeking whilst prioritising own happ...
2022-08-1857 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Building a mental health app with Courtney Carlsson#016 Councillors, therapy, meditation - Courtney Carlsson tried them all but what she needed was a structure to ask herself deliberate questions consistently to learn more about herself. Courtney is a CEO and Founder of the mental health app Paradym which she started after battling with her own mental health challenges. Courtney shares her personal journey of self-awareness and how she build Paradym, working with experts from around the world.In this episode:The importance of asking yourself deliberate questions consistentlyWhat causes burnout and how to avoid and address itHow to use feelings to build habitsReframing how...
2022-08-0549 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Design leadership for introverts with Tim Yeo015 - We’re kicking off Season 2 with Design Director of IBM Consulting, Founder of the Quiet Achiever and proud introvert, Tim Yeo. In this episode, Tim shares his personal journey in his career as an introverted designer and design leader and the learnings he picked up along the way to be comfortable with his introversion and do the things that don’t come naturally to him as an introvert. Tim now helps other introverts like himself have impact and influence without pretending to be extroverts in a world that desires the extroverted ideal.In this epis...
2022-07-211h 05
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)End of Season 1 Recap: Learnings and ReflectionsIt’s the end of the first season of the Design Feeling Podcast! In this episode, host, Nirish Shakya, recaps the 12 guest interviews and shares his top learnings and reflections from them. If this is your first time listening to the Design Feeling Podcast, this might be a good start to start. It’ll give you a taster of all the conversations we’ve had in the show so far so you can pick and choose the episodes you want to listen to in full. Nirish also gives a sneak peak of what’s coming in Seaso...
2022-07-0742 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Running your own race, understanding your business model and making smart guesses with Hattie Willis#013 - Designing involves innovating. However, innovation requires a lot of guesswork. Making intentional guesses requires the right mindset, techniques and courage. In this episode, Hattie Willis, founder of the entrepreneurship education company, Guessworks, shares her biggest learnings from the world of venture building and corporate innovation. Hattie unlayers the real drivers that help changemakers innovate - exposing yourself to the right amount of risk and understanding not just designs, products and technologies, but also business models.In this episode:Pick your own race that gives you energyHave your own authentic story to tellBe aware of where...
2022-05-261h 04
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Using marketing as a self-growth tool with Frances Khalastchi#012 - Throughout my design and technology career, I believed that marketing was just fluff. Hence, I never invested much time and energy into it, even to market myself. In this episode, Frances Khalastchi reframes that common notion of marketing into a tool for self-growth. With a background in graphic design, cultural theory, sociology and art history and 20 years in corporate, third sector startup and government communications, Frances co-founded Better Bolder Braver, a marketing community for coaches. In this episode, Frances talks about using marketing to increase one’s self-awareness, empathise with customers and prevent burnout. She also me...
2022-05-1257 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)How to sharpen your intuition as a designer using tarot with Dr. Adeola Enigbokan#011 - It’s no secret that change is the only constant but the events of the past two years (or two months!) have certainly got our heads spinning. If you’re anxious about how all of this is going to affect your life and career, you’re not alone. So how do you make sense of your past and clarify your direction towards the future?Sometimes, you need more than just intellect to make better decisions. You need intuition. This is where tarot can help. Tarot is basically a pack of playing cards that originated in 14-15th cen...
2022-04-281h 17
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Conscious Experience Design with James Breeze#010 - You’ve designed and launched a shiny new product. Engagement is high. Your company hits the success metrics. Everyone celebrates. But deep inside, you’re still questioning whether your design is actually making people’s lives better.In this episode, James Breeze, Chief Experience Officer, at Objective Experience, shares his ongoing work on a framework he’s designed to help makes designers be more conscious of the impact of their work on humans and the planet and make better decisions. The framework includes Consciousness Competencies, a set of values and behaviours designers can use to improve their li...
2022-04-1449 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Self-care for user researchers with Jane Reid and Janice Hannaway#009 - If you’re a user researcher, you probably put your users first. But maybe it’s time to put yourself first. In this episode, user researcher and former civil servant Jane Reid and user researcher and psychodynamic therapist Janice Hannaway stress the need for self-care in user research. User researchers working in complex areas such as homelessness, drug abuse and domestic violence, user researchers can experience vicarious trauma. Too often, this is not addressed properly or even spoken about. With almost 50 years of experience between them, Jane and Janice share their stories of working in these areas and their...
2022-03-3156 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Ryan Rumsey on re-engineering over re-inventing to make faster business impact#008 - As designers, we take on the responsibility to make the world better through design and we feel we have to come up with new ideas and solutions. But sometimes, reusing a solution that already works might be a faster and more impactful approach. In this episode, author of Business Thinking for Designers and CEO of Second Wave Dive shares his stories of making business impact through re-engineering successful tools and methods. Ryan also shares his struggles growing as a designer and design executive and how he thought he wasn’t doing a good job. He also shares his ad...
2022-03-1757 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Cory Lebson on the mid-career crisis for UXers, pressure of having to make a difference and letting go of control#007 - Many think UX is something new but it’s not. A lot of UXers have been working in the industry for decades now and starting to experience a mid-career crisis. In this episode, user researcher and author of the UX Careers Handbook, Cory Lebson, shares his honest stories of experiencing the mid-career crisis and how he handled it. We also talk about using biometrics to learn about your own emotions and better manage the external triggers that could affect you. Cory also shares his advice for letting go of the pressure of having to make a difference and se...
2022-03-0340 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)How to use your emotions as a creativity tool with Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle#006 - We’re trained to leave our emotions at the doorstep when it comes to work but using emotions consciously and intentionally can make individuals and teams more creative, more motivated and happier. This is according to Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, Senior Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, who studies the role of emotion and emotional intelligence in creativity. Zorana shares her insights on using different emotions for the divergent and convergent parts of a design process and how designers and facilitators can manage their and their team’s emotions to help them be more creative. We a...
2022-02-171h 12
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Managing uncertainty and prioritising happiness in your career with Dr. Carlos Saba#005 - As designers, we are skilled at managing uncertainty within design processes but how well do we manage uncertainty within our own lives and careers? Atomic physicist, Kung Fu teacher and the co-founder of the Happy Startup School, Dr. Carlos Saba shares his journey of uncertainties and his biggest lessons trying to find his way around his life and career and how it’s ok to not know what you’re doing or where you’re going. He also talks about why knowing how to conduct transactional research with users doesn’t automatically make us good as empathising with people w...
2022-02-0358 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)How to find and be your own shape as a designer#004 - We try hard to fit into groups, whether at work or in our personal lives. But in the process of fitting in, we forget to find out what’s unique about us and celebrate what makes us different. In this episode, I have a deep conversation with design leader, consultant and coach Jason Mesut on his struggles growing up and fitting in and how that shaped him and why he’s now passionate about helping designers find out about themselves through his series of tools called Shaping Design.In this episode:Fitting into diff...
2022-01-2049 min
Unthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)How to grow as a designer by stopping, listening to yourself and trusting your gut#003 - How can you learn and grow continuously as a designer without burning out and veering too far from who you are? In this episode, I interview Kate Pincott who is a Design Coach, CEO and Founder of Remote Design Coaching. She’s on a mission to help designers get unblocked in their careers so that they can find their own design voice that the world desperately needs.In this episode:Designer burnouts and value of stopping and reflectingGiving ourselves permission to experiment on our own lives and careersFinding coaches who you ca...
2022-01-2053 minUnthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Welcome to Design Feeling, a Show about the Human Behind the Human-Centred Designer#002 - Welcome to the first episode of the Design Feeling Podcast! Join designer, educator and host, Nirish Shakya, as he talks about what this podcast is about, why he started it and why it’s crucial for designers and design thinkers to focus on their own self-awareness, creative confidence and meaning.As designers, we know our users and customers better than we know ourselves. But what about your needs, emotions and pain points as a designer? How do you ensure that what you do meet your deeper needs? How can you be more aware of the complex an...
2022-01-2019 minUnthinking Space (formerly Design Feeling)Design Feeling Podcast Trailer001 - Oh no! Not another design podcast! That’s right, this isn’t. This show is not about design techniques or tools or even clients or users. This show is about you.As designers, we often know our customers better than we know ourselves. In the midst of our passion for human-centred design, we tend to forget that there’s a human within us, a human with needs and emotions. And we go through our careers unfulfilled by the work we're doing and disillusioned by its impact or the lack thereof.Design Feeling is a new po...
2022-01-0602 min