Design Life
Episodes
323: How to land a promotion
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Charli and Femke discuss the common challenges people face when pursuing promotions, share strategies to prepare for performance reviews, and explore ...
322: Our approach to side projects in 2026
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Charli and Femke discuss their evolving perspectives on side projects, preferred platforms and content formats, and how these have changed throughout ...
321: Knowledge-sharing in a design team (the wins and the failures)
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli discuss how to foster a culture of knowledge sharing at a workplace. They explore how to structure language-sharing sessions, whether...
320: The struggle with staying up-to-date with new design tools
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli discuss the challenges of staying up-to-date with AI tools, the importance of developing horizontal skills rather than just tool-spec...
319: Balancing speed and quality in design work
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli discuss how to balance product quality with commitments, deadlines, and the pressure to ship quickly. They explore the best approache...
318: Revealing our performance reviews as design leaders
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to our sponsor, Framer. Ready to build a site that looks hand-coded—without hiring a developer? Start free today at framer.link/femkeChar...
317: What it's like to take part in a hackathon
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to our sponsor, Framer. Ready to build a site that looks hand-coded—without hiring a developer? Start free today at framer.link/femkeFemk...
316: The art of giving useful feedback
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to our sponsor, Framer. Ready to build a site that looks hand-coded—without hiring a developer? Start free today at framer.link/femkeFemk...
315: How to hire (and get hired) in a brand design role
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to our sponsor, Framer. Ready to build a site that looks hand-coded—without hiring a developer? Start free today at framer.link/femkeFemk...
314: Coaching ICs as a design manager
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to our sponsor, Framer. Ready to build a site that looks hand-coded—without hiring a developer? Start free today at framer.link/femkeFemk...
313: Building relationships with PM's & Product Marketers
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to our sponsor, Framer. Ready to build a site that looks hand-coded—without hiring a developer? Start free today at framer.link/femkeFemk...
312: Design vision work and how to have a strategic impact
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to our sponsor, Workflow. As a listener, you can experience the Workflow too with an exclusive 30-day trial (instead of the usual 14) — so...
311: Hot takes on Config 2025 and new Figma features
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to our sponsor, Workflow. As a listener, you can experience the Workflow too with an exclusive 30-day trial (instead of the usual 14) — s...
310: Going back to work after an extended break
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Mobbin, which is the largest design reference library for mobile and web, offering practical inspiration from real apps t...
309: Become a design manager or stay an IC? How to make the choice.
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Mobbin, which is the largest design reference library for mobile and web, offering practical inspiration from real apps t...
308: Making the jump from mid to senior
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Mobbin, which is the largest design reference library for mobile and web, offering practical inspiration from real apps t...
307: Will AI take your design job? (Hot takes from later adopters)
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Mobbin, which is the largest design reference library for mobile and web, offering practical inspiration from real apps t...
306: Building a team for your side projects
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Mobbin, which is the largest design reference library for mobile and web, offering practical inspiration from real apps t...
305: If we started our side projects all over again...
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Mobbin, which is the largest design reference library for mobile and web, offering practical inspiration from real apps t...
304: Setting our goals and intentions for 2025
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Playbook, which is a collaborative platform for creatives to store, organize, and share their work. It features AI-powere...
303: Changes in the design industry (specialists vs generalists?)
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Playbook, which is a collaborative platform for creatives to store, organize, and share their work. It features AI-powere...
302: Design maturity and culture in a company (and how to influence it)
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Playbook, which is a collaborative platform for creatives to store, organize, and share their work. It features AI-powere...
301: Learning management skills as a design manager
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Playbook, which is a collaborative platform for creatives to store, organize, and share their work. It features AI-powere...
300: Live Q&A - Answering Your Top Design Questions on Air
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Playbook, which is a collaborative platform for creatives to store, organize, and share their work. It features AI-powere...
299: How to get better at collaborating with cross-functional partners
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by Playbook, which is a collaborative platform for creatives to store, organize, and share their work. It features AI-powere...
298: Behind the scenes of launching ConvertKit's rebrand to Kit
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli dive into the experience of rebranding ConvertKit into Kit. Charli shares a behind-the-scenes look at launch day and the rebranding p...
297: What it's really like to go on parental leave as a designer
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Femke shares her experience navigating the challenges of parental leave, including her decision to take extended time off supported by her employer an...
296: How to land a promotion
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charli and Femke talk about Charli’s recent promotion and how she approached this process. They explore the importance of taking ownership of your p...
295: The perks and pitfalls of working with a freelancer
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charli and Femke dive into their experiences working with freelancers and agencies in their side projects and day jobs. Charli shares the decision-mak...
294: Behind the scenes of a company rebrand
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli dive into the exciting world of rebranding Convert Kit. We explore the origins of the rebrand, discussing whether it began with a nam...
293: Why you need to understand the impact of your work
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli dive deep into the topic of the business impact of design decisions. We discuss whether impact is expected in the product design worl...
292: Config 2024 Figma release reactions
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, we are gonna discuss and break down the recent announcements from Figma Config 2024 conference that took place on June 26-27 in ...
291: When a side project totally fails
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli delve into the difficulties of managing a side project that isn't going well. Charli shares her personal experience of trying to orga...
290: Landing a new design job in 2024
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli share their insights on how to approach the application process in the 2024 design job market. The hosts share strategies on how to o...
289: How to know when it's time to move on from a job
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charli reflects on her 7-year journey at her current workplace, emphasizing the importance of difficult conversations in clarifying issues such as sal...
288: Making the most of team retreats and offsites
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charli and Femke talk about their experience of having retreats with their teams, how retreats should be structured, what is their purpose and how to ...
287: Why your personal brand matters
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Femke and Charli delve into the concept of personal branding. They discuss whether personal branding requires strategic planning and the level of inte...
286: Should you take deadlines seriously?
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charli and Femke give an elaborate reply to one of the listener's requests: whether deadlines should be taken seriously. The hosts share real stories ...
285: The truth about burnout (and recovery)
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charli shares her personal experience of how she got burned out from her side projects. She talks about the subtle signs and symptoms that indicate bu...
284: Our Career and Personal Goals for 2024
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back, design enthusiasts! We're kicking off 2024 by bring you up to speed on our latest adventures and aspirations.🌟 Life Updates: Tune in ...
283: Our copywriting process
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Design Life podcast we chat about all things copywriting!
282: Reliving our Config experience
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you Config for a fantastic conference! In this episode we recap our highlights and chat all about our meetup.
281: How to make the most of a design conference
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you attending a design conference this summer? In this episode we share our favourite tips for making the most of the conference experience to max...
280: Preparing for a feature launch as a designer
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Preparing for a feature launch as a designer is such an exciting time! To see your work come to fruition brings with it a fantastic feeling, but it's ...
279: Validating design solutions
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the Design Life podcast we are answering a listener question from an engineer, who is looking for advice on how to validate a design and comm...
278: Are you on the right path in your design career?
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wondering if you are on the right path in your design career? Fear not, we have a very reassuring conversation this week on the podcast! Hear all abou...
277: Learning throughout different stages of your design career
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Design Life we’re chatting about learning throughout different stages of our design careers, and how our approach to learning has chang...
276: Managing in different directions
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Find yourself in a new role and managing in different directions? Us too! In this episode we're talking how to make the most of managing in different ...
275: The realities of being a manager AND an IC
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Design Life we chat about managing the split between IC work and being a manager and how we balance the responsibilities of both in...
274: Are you inexperienced if you don't name your layers?
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you an inexperienced designer if you don't name your layers? In our first episode of 2023 we discuss this question and why gatekeeping like this w...
273: Our thoughts on the state of the design industry
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In our last episode of 2022, we share our thoughts on the state of the design industry.
272: Deciding what side projects to tackle in 2023
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Planning your side projects for 2023? If you're thinking of expanding or starting a side project over the next 12 months we hope you find value in thi...
271: Annual planning as a design leader in tech
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time of year again, time to start the annual planning for 2023. As a design lead in the tech industry, it can be difficult to know how to br...
270: Positioning your portfolio for a design manager role
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trying to make the move from designer to manager? In this episode we chat about how to make your portfolio presentation speak for itself.
269: Fitting in socially in the workplace
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Building relationships with your colleagues at works takes time and patience. This week on the podcast we answer a listener question about how we've b...
268: A real look into today's design interview process
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A real look into today's design interview process, what is it like trying to get a job in this economy?
267: How much did Charli earn this year?
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On Design Life we like to talk openly about money when we can, including our annual income reports! This time it's Charli's turn.
266: Femke quit her job!
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Femke quit her job! After a year in her current role Femke is moving on to an exciting new opportunity. Listen to a deep dive into the thought process...
265: Adobe is buying Figma? Let's talk about it
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
News of Figma being acquired by Adobe has everyone talking, today on Design Life we share our thoughts on what this means for one of our most used des...
264: Design education and conferences, on a budget
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Getting buy in to help build design team culture can be difficult - this week we answer a listener question about how to create opportunities which pr...
263: How we communicate async at work
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Design Life we answer a listener question about all the asynchronous communication methods we use at work.
262: What makes a good design manager
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast we're answering a very wholesome listener question, what makes a good manager and how can an IC help support a new manager to...
261: What it's like to work in six week cycles
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you use six week cycles where you work? Today we're gonna talk about this way of breaking up work throughout the year which we recently discovered ...
260: Taking a sabbatical
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat about Charli’s recent sabbatical, the preparations involved beforehand and what elements from the month have become part of ...
259: Shipping a new design system!
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Femke recently shipped a new design system and today on Design Life we are discussing the highs and lows of taking on such a project!
258: Retaining the joy of side projects with Honest UX Talks
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to the Honest UX Talks episodeFollow Honest UX Talks:🗂 instagram.com/honest_ux_talks👩💻 instagram.com/anfisign👩🏻💻 instag...
257: Collaboration between senior and junior designers
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Design Life we chat specifically about collaborating with designers of a different level. Maybe you’re a junior designer collaborating ...
256: Conducting design audits
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How can you make the most of a design audit? Keep consistency in mind, improve popular assets and implement recommendations.
255: The pay gap between product and marketing designers
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are chatting about a topic very near and dear to our hearts, the pay gap between marketing/brand designers and product designers. What is cau...
254: Is the vibe shifting in design?
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It might feel like vibe is the word of the year at the moment, and with good reason as the vibe in design is shifting again. Who are the companies sha...
E253: Setting boundaries at work
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Boundaries are really important, and they've become even more important as more of us are working from home. This week on Design Life we chat about th...
252: Why you should care about performance reviews
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Design Life we chat about why you should care about performance reviews even when they aren’t related to a bonus or pay rise and ...
251: Why getting better at writing can help your design career
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Improving your writing skills can help your career in lots of different ways, from increasing your confidence to helping you to create memorable prese...
250: When starting a new job feels like you're starting from scratch
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’re tackling a listener question, from a designer starting a new job and feeling like they’re starting from scratch again! We sh...
249: What the heck are MVPs (and how to do them well)
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Design Life we answer a listener question, what the heck are MVPs (and how to do them well). We chat about the benefits, the disadvantage...
248: Monetising side projects with Sara Brunettini
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re chatting about monetising side projects with our guest, Sara Brunettini. Sara is a Youtuber, product designer and all round wonderful pe...
247: Are you falling behind if you don't understand Web3?
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping up with trends while maintaining a full time job is a challenge all designers face, but what should you do if you’re worried that the latest...
246: The design interview process needs to change
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The design interview process needs to change. Time consuming take home assignments and whiteboard challenges are the norm, can the interview process b...
245: We just don't get along! (Dealing with workplace conflict)
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Need advice about dealing with conflict at work? Today we’re answering a listener question about a sticky work place situation, an experience we are...
244: How to choose (or advocate for!) the design projects you want to work on
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You might not always be able to choose your projects but there are ways to advocate for the types of projects you would like best. In this episode we ...
243: Tips for organizing design files
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to organizing your files, it is less about the tool itself and more about everyone in the team being on the same page. On Design Life th...
242: Why designers should care about business metrics
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding business metrics and how your work helps achieve company goals can be a very useful skill to have as a designer. Not sure where to start...
241: Creating a design system for the first time
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today On Design Life we’re talking all about Design Systems. We share our struggles and triumphs, and what you need to know if you're creating a des...
240: The difference between junior and senior designers
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is the difference between a Junior and a Senior designer? Don’t they essentially do the same job? This week on Design Life we chat about moving...
239: Different ways to structure a design team
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How is your design team structured? Today on Design Life we answer an email from a listener about team structure, why our team structure works best fo...
238: Setting goals for 2022
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As is tradition now on the Design Life podcast, we spend our first episode of 2022 talking about our goals, plans and dreams for the year ahead.
237: Our growth as designers in 2021
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In our last episode of 2021 we reflect on our growth as designers this year.
236 - Juggling multiple priorities at work
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Juggling multiple priorities at work is a skill that will be useful during your design career, when you find yourself working on more than one project...
235: How does where you live impact you as a designer?
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How does where you live impact you as a designer? On this episode of Design Life we chat about where we have felt most inspired and most welcome in th...
234: Are you ready to commit to a new side hustle?
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There's a lot to consider when you’re starting a new side hustle! Listen to our chat about committing to new side hustles, inspired by the launch of...
233: Increasing the pace of your design process
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re talking about pace. The more experience we have, the quicker and more efficient we become. We chat about why this happens and how to inc...
232: Do you NEED to do research before you design?
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of Design Life we answer a listener question - Do you NEED to do research before you design? (Maybe not!) We also talk about ...
231: Why Femke left Uber
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After 4 years at Uber, Femke has recently started a new job at Wealthsimple. In this episode of Design Life we chat about how to figure out when is th...
230: After summer catch up
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the Design Life podcast! In our first episode back after the summer break, we chat about how we spent our time off, our summer trips a...
229: Side hustle income streams
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Design Life we discuss our side hustle income stream growth from the past twelve months and the investment we make into content creation to f...
228: Ways to keep learning and growing
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As a designer, your skillset is always growing and there is always more to learn. In this episode of Design Life we share how we find new opportunitie...
227: Building self awareness
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Design Life we answer another listener question, this time about self awareness as a designer. Our listener wants to know how to build and i...
226: Decision making as a creative lead
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Design Life we answer a listener’s question about decision making as a creative lead and how to find the balance between being decisive, se...
225: Finding your why
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know your ‘why’, the thing that fuels you in your professional and personal life? You might have heard of Simon Sinek’s book ‘Finding y...
224: Crafting effective case studies
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Design Life we chat about how to craft an effective case study. Sharing a project through a case study should involve telling the reader what...