Advertise on podcast: Design Table Podcast

While most designers talk about “crafting delightful experiences", companies hire designers for something else entirely. And that's a problem... for designers looking to get hired. In this episode, Tyler and Nick share the real business reasons designers get hired and how to position your case studies to prove your value. This episode introduces a framework from business thinking applied to UX and product design careers. They discuss why companies hire designers to make money and save money, and how most portfolios completely miss this. You’ll learn how to connect UX work to revenue, conversion, adoption, and cost reduction so your case studies speak the language of business. In this episode you’ll learn:🔸 Why "delightful UX" is not a strong business argument🔸 How designers help companies make money through conversion, MRR, and adoption🔸 How design reduces support costs and operational waste🔸 How to quantify business impact in your case studies🔸 What to do if you do not have access to metrics Subscribe to The Design Table Podcasthttps://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-whiteNick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick discuss a shift that most SaaS and startups are not ready for: internal tools are getting real investment in 2026. That's because their customers are realizing they can build exactly what they need on their own. This changes how SaaS operates. Instead of buying another one-size-fits-all product, more buyers will ask: why don’t we just build this ourselves? Tyler and Nick figure out how SaaS products can survive this shift and why being integration-ready is about more than just “having Zapier.” If you are building B2B SaaS, working in product, or designing enterprise tools, this episode gives you strategy you can actually apply. Here is what is on the table:🔸 Why internal tools are getting bigger budgets in 2026🔸 The new SaaS threat: customers building their own tools🔸 Why enterprises want software tailored to their workflows🔸 The real SaaS moat: flexibility, integrations, and ecosystems🔸 Zapier, Make, MCPs, and why they change retention🔸 Using integrations as product signals for what to build next🔸 Founder-led SaaS, branding, and why “slop” is the new competition Subscribe to The Design Table Podcasthttps://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick break down what product design will look like in 2026 and why this year will feel like a shock to a lot of designers. Tyler calls it the year of the builder, where titles start collapsing and the market rewards people who can actually ship. They discuss why design has been misunderstood for years, how that misunderstanding is costing you still today, and why design is slowly getting eaten by product and engineering departments. This is not AI fear and it is not a rant. It is a practical blueprint for how designers stay relevant when the goalposts move. If you want to protect your career and increase your leverage, the answer is simple: skill stack and build. Here is what is on the table:🔸 Why 2026 will be “the year of the builder”🔸 Why design roles are merging into hybrid titles🔸 The designer vs. developer gap and how it wastes time🔸 When building real prototypes beats building Figma prototypes🔸 How AI changes what teams expect designers to ship🔸 The next wave: builders who can design, ship, and think business Subscribe to The Design Table Podcasthttps://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick pull back the curtain on the recruiter side of the design job market. This is not a rant and it is not recruiter hate. Instead, it is a practical explanation of how the system actually works. They break down what preferred suppliers are, why some recruiter outreach goes nowhere, and how designers accidentally hurt themselves by ignoring messages or being unprepared. The conversation reframes recruiters as long-term career relationships instead of one-off transactions. If you are job hunting, freelancing, or just want leverage when opportunities appear, this episode gives you context most designers never get. Here is what is on the table:🔸 How recruiters really source and screen designers🔸 What preferred supplier lists are and why they matter🔸 How to identify low-value recruiter outreach🔸 Why replying even when uninterested pays off later🔸 Screening recruiters the same way they screen you🔸 Keeping your CV ready before you need it🔸 Signaling availability without oversharing🔸 Playing the long game with career relationships Subscribe to The Design Table Podcast https://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and Nick Tyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick break down how experienced product designers are actually using AI in real workflows. Not the hype. Not the panic. The practical reality. They talk through where AI is genuinely useful, where it creates more problems than it solves, and why most of its real value shows up after discovery, not before (like most say). From copy refinement and edge cases to design system consistency and handoff support, this episode shows how AI helps designers move faster without outsourcing judgment. If you feel behind because you are not “AI-first” or worried that tools like Figma Make will replace your role, this conversation will help how you think about AI and your craft. Here is what is on the table:🔸 Where AI actually fits in a real design process🔸 Why AI shines in later-stage design work🔸 Using AI for copy limits, constraints, and edge cases🔸 How Figma Make and vibe coding fit into real projects🔸 Treating AI like an assistant instead of a decision-maker🔸 Why strong design systems matter more than prompts🔸 The risks of hallucinated UI and false confidence🔸 Shipping faster without lowering quality Subscribe to The Design Table Podcast https://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and Nick Tyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In the second half of this conversation, Tyler and Nick shift gears and answer a question they hear constantly: “If I am brand new to design, where do I even start anymore?” They break down what actually matters when entering product design today, what beginners should ignore, and how to build real skills without getting lost in tools, certifications, and AI panic. This episode is a practical, honest guide for anyone considering product design in 2026 and beyond. No shortcuts. No fake guarantees. Just clear steps and hard-earned perspective from two senior designers who have seen the industry evolve multiple times.  Here is what is on the table:🔸 The first steps every new designer should take🔸 Mentorship vs. coaching and when to pay for help🔸 Why copying work is not cheating at the start🔸 The right way to learn Figma before touching AI tools🔸 Hard skills vs. soft skills and when each matters🔸 Why AI will not replace designers who understand fundamentals🔸 How to avoid burnout, fear cycles, and bad advice online Subscribe to The Design Table Podcasthttps://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

2025 felt like two years packed into one. In this episode, Tyler and Nick look back on the biggest shifts in product design over the past year and what they actually mean for designers going into 2026. They discuss how AI changed the way design work enters teams, why designers are becoming prototype-first thinkers, and how tools like Cursor, Figma MCPs, and AI image generation are closing the gap between design and engineering faster than most people expected. This is not a hype episode. It is a grounded conversation about experimentation, caution, and why the fundamentals still matter more than chasing every new tool. If 2025 left you excited, overwhelmed, or both, this episode helps you zoom out and make sense of what actually changed and what did not.  Here is what is on the table: 🔸 Why 2025 became the year of experimentation🔸 How AI changed the way design requests come in🔸 Vibe coding vs. real production work🔸 Where design and engineering are coming together🔸 Why not every new tool deserves your attention🔸 The difference between hype and reality🔸 What designers should carry into 2026 and what to drop Subscribe to The Design Table Podcasthttps://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

After last week's live portfolio review, Tyler and Nick continue where they left off and go deeper into the challenges designers face when trying to stand out in a global job market. They discuss what changes when you apply for design roles in another country and why most designers struggle. They explain how to adapt your portfolio for a new region, why English mockups can make or break interviews, and how to use remote contracts as stepping stones toward relocation. They also cover when free work is smart, when it is not, and the red flags you must watch for before accepting an unpaid role. If you want to work in another country and have no idea where to start, this episode gives you the practical steps to follow. Here is what is on the table:🔸 Why translating your UI mockups matters more than your resume🔸 How to research design norms in the country where you want to work🔸 Using remote roles as stepping stones toward relocation🔸 When unpaid internships are smart and when they are a trap🔸 The trust signals hiring managers need before sponsoring visas🔸 How to build credibility without local experience🔸 How to negotiate free work without being taken advantage of Subscribe to The Design Table Podcasthttps://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick review and fix a real portfolio from a junior designer who is struggling to land interviews. You will see exactly what is holding him back and the specific changes that turn a forgettable portfolio into one that gets you hired. They break down whether a Figma file can replace a traditional portfolio, the layout and writing issues that silently disqualify junior designers, and why UI alone is not enough to get hired. You will learn how to present your work, what hiring managers actually look for, and the simplest changes that instantly make any portfolio feel senior. If you are rewriting your case studies for the fifth time and still getting ignored, this is the most practical episode you will watch all year. Here is what is on the table:🔸 Fixing a real UX portfolio and the mistakes that sabotage it🔸 Is a Figma prototype enough or do you need a website?🔸 The UI spacing mistakes that expose beginners instantly🔸 How to present your designs so reviewers do not skip your context🔸 Why your case study language sounds weak and how to fix it🔸 Using grids, copy, and real data to make work look professional🔸 The difference between showing screens and showing thinking🔸 Why lorem ipsum portfolios get rejected before conversations even start Subscribe to The Design Table Podcasthttps://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In Part 2 of our UX Portfolio Episodes, Tyler and Nick go one step deeper. They break down portfolio strategy, case study structure, personal branding, and whether junior designers should create free work to build real experience (or not). This episode explores what separates forgettable portfolios from the ones that open doors. Tyler and Nick find out how to niche yourself when you don’t have experience, how to craft a “business impact” narrative even as a beginner, and the psychology behind great case study titles. They also share how to use video to stand out, how to collect testimonials early, and why your portfolio should be built iteratively instead of in one giant, painful launch.  They finish with a conversation about free projects: the myths, the risks, the benefits, and how to use them strategically to build real case studies that don’t feel fake or bootcamp-manufactured. This episode gives you a clear roadmap forward if you're stuck rewriting your portfolio for the 5th time, unsure what to niche into, or struggling to show credibility without job experience. Here is what’s on the table in Part 2:🔸 Should junior designers do free work? (And how to do it strategically)🔸 Fake projects vs. real projects — what recruiters think🔸 How to niche yourself when you have zero experience🔸 Case study storytelling that signals senior-level thinking🔸 How to build a “testimonial bank” early in your career🔸 Why your portfolio should launch at version 0.5, not 1.0🔸 How video intros & thank-you pages convert better than text🔸 Showing how you think, not just what you designed🔸 Aligning your entire personal brand under one clear message 📢 Subscribe to The Design Table Podcast 👉 https://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe 👋 More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick discuss the one thing every product designer struggles with the most: creating a portfolio that actually gets interviews, callbacks, and job offers. Most designers ship portfolios that read like academic essays. They're too long, too vague, too generic, and way too similar to everyone else’s. Even great designers get ignored because their hero section, titles, and case studies fail to communicate what hiring managers actually care about. Tyler and Nick walk through why portfolios miss the mark, how recruiters skim your site (in less than 2 minutes), and the step-by-step structure of a high-conversion portfolio. Everything comes by from your H1 to your footer. They also cover niching vs. generalizing, how to stand out in a crowded market, what your case study titles really need to say, and how to communicate business impact without sounding like a template (and everyone else).  If you’re a junior designer, in a bootcamp, applying for your first product job, or rebuilding your portfolio after months of ghosting… this episode will save you weeks of trial and error, frustration, and burn out. Here is what’s on the table in Part 1:🔸 Why most UX portfolios are way too long (and what to cut)🔸 The hero section formula that gets you interviews🔸 How hiring managers actually scan portfolios🔸 Why generic “I’m a UX designer” intros kill your chances🔸 Positioning yourself without locking into one industry🔸 How to write case study titles that show business impact🔸 Treating your homepage like a sales page🔸 Using social proof & storytelling to stand out🔸 Why messaging must be consistent across your entire brand 📢 Subscribe to The Design Table Podcast 👉 https://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe 👋 More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick attempt something different: a live, real-time brainstorm where two senior product designers tackle an actual business problem — low feature adoption and poor upgrade conversion. Companies keep shipping features that barely anyone uses. New tiers launch and… crickets. PMs blame “awareness” while designers blame “UX,” marketing blames “messaging,” and leadership wonders why revenue isn’t moving. Tyler and Nick figure out why this happens, why most teams under-invest in feature communication, and how design, product, and marketing can work together to drive meaningful adoption without becoming sleazy or spammy. They walk through upsell flow strategy, segmentation, in-app nudges, email sequencing, pricing psychology, ROI calculators, freemium tier traps, and how designers can get more comfortable with selling — because no one upgrades on accident. If you work in SaaS, design for B2C or B2B, or you’ve ever launched a feature that landed with a sad thud… this episode is a must-listen. Here is what is on the table in this episode: 🔸 Why “great features” still fail to get adoption🔸 The biggest gap between feature design & feature awareness🔸 How to avoid sounding salesy while still driving upgrades🔸 Segmentation: who to upsell and when🔸 The underrated power of email sequences for product teams🔸 In-app education that actually works (and doesn’t annoy users)🔸 How pricing, tiers, and value ladders influence upgrades🔸 Why ROI calculators convert better than feature pages🔸 What designers must learn from sales teams🔸 How to build user advocates & power users intentionally Chapters 00:00 Intro00:32 The business problem we’re solving01:54 B2C vs. B2B and how upgrades actually happen03:50 Why awareness is the missing link05:04 The disconnect between “we built it” and “users found it”07:38 How to scorecard your adoption levers10:07 The email sequencing mistake every product team makes12:55 Building relationships vs. blasting announcements17:00 Pricing tiers, value ladders & usage ceilings21:56 When upgrades fail because value isn’t communicated24:55 ROI examples (Zapier, time saved, etc.)29:18 The role of in-app nudges, limits & locked features34:57 Segmentation and timing your upsells36:50 Avoiding pop-up overload40:23 Webinars, product events & hype building45:07 Discounts, loyalty, advocates & power-user programs50:16 Stop being afraid to “sell” as a product designer53:10 Next episode teaser: The Portfolio Mastermind 📢 Subscribe to The Design Table Podcast👉 https://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe 👋 More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-whiteNick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick discuss the big gap between what UX education teaches you and what real product design work looks like on the job. Most junior designers leave school excited to “help users” and “make the world a better place” only to slam face first into business goals, tech debt, and stakeholders who want results... well... yesterday. Tyler and Nick compare their first jobs with what schools promise and share how new designers can overcome that gap faster. The conversation covers internships, design tools, stakeholder management, zero-to-one vs. one-to-a-hundred design work, and why learning never stops. If you are in school, in a bootcamp, or trying to break into product design… this episode will save you from a painful wake-up call. Here is what is on the table in this episode: 🔸 The common misconception every UX student has🔸 The surprise reality of most entry design jobs🔸 Zero-to-one vs. one-to-a-hundred design work🔸 What school should teach but does not🔸 Why designers must care about revenue🔸 Portfolio projects vs. actual feature work🔸 How to learn faster once you get hired🔸 The best way to network without being cringe🔸 Should designers hop industries early in their career🔸 Our pitch for a better UX education model Chapters00:00 Intro and jokes about Breaking Bad01:12 Why do people want to become designers02:39 When “helping users” meets revenue targets05:20 School ideal vs corporate reality09:50 Why the design process is rarely followed perfectly12:55 Design education is too theoretical18:40 Zero to one is not what you think21:25 How design school should evolve27:58 Why internships matter more than classes33:19 The myth of picking the perfect industry40:51 Automation skills and continuous learning53:10 The one thing every new designer should do54:25 How to build real relationships in the industry57:20 A teaser for the next hands on episode 📢 Subscribe to The Design Table Podcast 👉 https://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe 👋 More about Tyler and NickTyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-whiteNick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick figure out the hard truth about why so many UX and product designers struggle to get hired. Hint: it is not your (lack of) Figma skills. They discuss best practices and advice from their experience as UX coaches. From confidence gaps to portfolios that all look the same to the finding out that design careers are built through stakeholders and users instead of pixels, they share the mindset and strategy that actually moves you forward in your product design career. Tyler brings his ROI-focused product design experience while Nick shares the wins and failures that shaped his coaching style. Together, they talk through what stops designers from leveling up and how the right support can accelerate your career growth. Here is what is on the table in this episode: 🔸 Why most designers get stuck in the middle and how to break out🔸 The career advice we wish someone gave us before our first job🔸 Why coaching works better than another bootcamp🔸 The confidence unlock that helps you interview like you belong🔸 Common portfolio traps that keep you getting ghosted🔸 Networking moves that actually lead to job offers🔸 Why paying for help finally makes you take your career seriously🔸 Senior designer skills you can start using right now🔸 How to stop presenting like an order taker🔸 The difference between showing screens and selling outcomes 🔗 Chapters:00:00 Welcome to the chaos02:00 The real blockers in most design careers05:40 Tyler almost gets fired straight out of school11:20 Nick survives the fastest rejection ever14:30 Why goals come before portfolios20:50 The storytelling gap holding designers back26:10 The networking strategy that makes life easier36:40 Agency vs in house growth paths48:10 Coaching is not therapy but it feels close56:00 Our shameless plug to get help if you need it 📢 Subscribe to The Design Table Podcast 👉 https://www.designtablepodcast.com/subscribe 👋 More about Tyler and Nick:Tyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-whiteNick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick share conversion optimization secrets they've learned over their combined 20 years of design experience. From the psychology behind high-converting ads to the small tweaks that always boost your landing page performance, they share the tactics that have moved the needle for many of the design projects they've worked on before. Tyler brings his ROI-focused design expertise while Nick shares insights from his freelance conversion projects. Together, they discuss the entire customer journey from first ad impression to final checkout while revealing which design decisions actually drive revenue and which "best practices" might be holding you back. Here's what's on the table in this episode: 🔸 Why banner blindness is real and how to design ads that stop the scroll🔸 The retargeting funnel strategy (and why you need multiple touchpoints to convert)🔸 Landing page copy secrets that matter most🔸 The unexpected checkout experiment that boosted conversions🔸 Why the ugliest ads often convert the best🔸 When to make landing pages longer vs. shorter🔸 A/B testing strategies that give you a "raise every week"🔸 PayPal integration and the 20% conversion lift it used to provide🔸 Upselling: helpful suggestions vs. dark patterns🔸 The biggest mistake designers make with progressive disclosure🔸 Why user research beats design intuition every time🔸 Trust signals to build credibility during checkout 📢 Subscribe to The Design Table Podcast!👋 More about Tyler and Nick