logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2017
1h 17m

195: Weird Old Grandma (feat. Helen Tran...

Brian Lovin, Marshall Bock
About this episode

Today we caught up with Helen Tran, a design lead at Shopify, writer, and explorer. In this episode we dig into Helen's background, finding motivation, design management, bodybuilding, being interesting, and so much more.

We've also got a big announcement: we're building a new thing for you! It's called Spectrum and it's a place for the community to hang out and share what's going on in design, development, and anything else you might be interested in.

We're still in beta, so expect bugs and lots of improvements over the next few weeks, but in the meantime we'd love to hang out with you and chat!

Sign up at Spectrum.chat, join the Design Details frequency, and share feedback in ~hugs-n-bugs!

Sponsor:
  • Fuse - Build native apps on iOS and Android.
    Simpler. Faster.
Helen on the Web:
Show Notes:
Up next
Nov 2023
464: AI Grab Bag
This week, we talk about Open AI's GPTs-as-apps strategy, FigJam's AI tools, and our dreams for a future Jarvis-like experience.The Sidebar:The Sidebar is an exclusive weekly segment for our Patreon supporters. You can subscribe starting at $1 per month for access to bonus conten ... Show More
34m 27s
Oct 2023
463: Design Medley, Vol. 1
This week, we talk about the delicate art of using animation in interface design, how to use button sizes, and managing margins in type styles.The Sidebar:The Sidebar is an exclusive weekly segment for our Patreon supporters. You can subscribe starting at $1 per month for access ... Show More
34m 13s
Sep 2023
462: Refactoring a Design System
This week, Marshall breaks down his process, tips, and tricks to redesign a design system in Figma.The Sidebar:The Sidebar is an exclusive weekly segment for our Patreon supporters. You can subscribe starting at $1 per month for access to bonus content going forward! Sign up at p ... Show More
47m 33s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2020
Episode 154: Refactoring UI with Adam Wathan and Steve Schoger
Can developers build beautiful software on their own, without relying on a designer? One team decided to teach this knowledge, and scored massive success. Meet the brains behind Refactoring UI, Adam Wathan and Steve Schoger. You'll learn the story of their project, their favorite ... Show More
42m 25s
May 2022
Episode 240: Designing for Play & Delight with Richard Ward
Can play and delight be an afterthought? Or must they be integral to a product from day one? Our guest today is Richard Ward, chief design officer at Otter.ai. You'll learn how to balance designing for delight and utility, how to bring joy to product users, ways to get design ins ... Show More
37m 32s
Jul 2022
Episode 243: Orchestrating Customer Experience with Gene Lee
What is customer experience, and why does it involve a multi-disciplinary team? Our guest today is Gene Lee, the Chief Experience Officer at Mailchimp. You’ll learn about the “bookends” and curating touchpoints in the customer journey, conducting experience reviews, using Voice o ... Show More
42m 31s
Jan 2022
Episode 230: Design Systems for SaaS with Pek Pongpaet
How can design systems help us build products more efficiently? Our guest today is Pek Pongpaet, founder of Impekable, an award-winning agency. You'll learn the importance of design systems, why documentation for these systems is important, how to organize design components, and ... Show More
47m 14s
Jan 2024
96. Jina Anne and Adekunle Oduye: Navigating Career Pathways in Design Systems
Jina Anne and Adekunle Oduye join host Chris Strahl in a candid conversation that explores career pathways within the evolving realm of design systems amidst the latest market conditions. They share valuable insights on how the key to thriving in uncertain times is through unders ... Show More
44m 36s
Sep 2022
Episode 248: Mapping Conversations with Rebecca Evanhoe
These days, you can talk with the digital things around you, like voice assistants and chatbots. How are these experiences designed? Our guest today is Rebecca Evanhoe, co-author of Conversations with Things. You’ll learn about the four pillars of conversational design, what prot ... Show More
41m 10s
May 2024
Episode 282: Human Connection in Products with Evelyn Gosnell
What design interventions can help improve human connection in your software product? Our guest today is Evelyn Gosnell, behavior scientist and managing director at Irrational Labs. You’ll learn what behavioral design is, the foundational principles of human connection, how AI pr ... Show More
27m 16s
Apr 2024
105 Transforming Leads into High-Quality Design Clients with Josh Hall
Every designer grapples with challenging clients—it's an inevitable part of the journey. We've all been there, facing clients who may not align with our vision or approach. But what defines a "bad" client? Is it the low-paying ones, the ones who seem to micromanage every ... Show More
1 h
May 2021
Episode 214: Growing Your Design Career with Scott Belsky
How can we grow as designers within teams and companies? What can we do to stay happy and do our best work? Our guest today is Scott Belsky, founder of Behance and Chief Product Officer at Adobe. You’ll learn how to think about your design career, learn from great designers, work ... Show More
39m 46s
Apr 2024
82\\ Inside High Point by Design: A Year-Round Haven for Creativity and Collaboration With Jane Dagmi
Exciting news for the design industry! High Point by Design is revolutionizing the way interior designers experience High Point. In today's episode, I share my captivating conversation with Jane Dagmi, the managing director of High Point by Design (HPXD). She shares her journ ... Show More
26m 14s