Business confidence for designers.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
107- GoPro - Business Design Teardown
1:24:44
1:24:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:44
Ever thought about the ingenious business and design strategies that turned an everyday gadget into an adventurer's (and content creator's) best friend? Our latest Business Design Teardown dives into the thrilling business and design strategies behind the iconic action camera brand GoPro, revealing the creative and strategic decisions that shaped G…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
106- Wikipedia - Business Design Teardown
1:33:53
1:33:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:33:53
When you want to learn about the intersection of business and design, you can turn to d.MBA Business Design Teardowns. But for everything else? It has to be Wikipedia. In this podcast episode, we're tearing down one of the most significant sources of knowledge on the internet and uncovering how it isn't just a website—it's a worldwide wonder. We'll…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
105- Patagonia - Business Design Teardown
1:24:39
1:24:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:39
Ready for a business adventure? For our latest Teardown, we're exploring the terrain of a brand that has revolutionized business and ethical standards. Yes, we're unearthing the tale of Patagonia, a brand that's more than just outdoor apparel. It's a testament to sustainability, innovation, and an unwavering love for the great outdoors. Patagonia i…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
104- Pantone - Business Design Teardown
1:22:15
1:22:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:22:15
Prepare to immerse yourself in a tale of innovation and color that revolutionized design and branding. Our latest Business Design Teardown paints the vibrant journey of Pantone, the brand that turned the art of color consistency into a global industry. Join us as we explore the canvas of challenges and innovations Pantone navigated to become the gl…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
103- Liquid Death - Business Design Teardown
1:56:40
1:56:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:56:40
Get ready to crack open a can of intrigue with our latest Business Design Teardown, where we're diving headfirst into the chilling waters of Liquid Death's business and creativity genius. We're peeling back the heavy-metal label to reveal the secrets behind their killer branding that's taken the beverage industry by storm. From the mountainous orig…
…
continue reading
Tap, tap... is this thing ON? Great, because we've got an exciting new Teardown episode for you! In this latest podcast installment we're taking you behind the scenes of ON, the Swiss brand racing to the forefront of the athletic footwear industry. With its unique CloudTec technology and striking sneaker silhouettes, ON is a brand taking on the big…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
101- LEGO - Business Design Teardown
1:42:52
1:42:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:42:52
Prepare to embark on an exciting journey about the magic of building – both in terms of creative design and prosperous business strategy. We're about to unravel the colorful story of LEGO, where imagination and innovation interlock seamlessly to create an empire that's been stacking up success, one brick at a time! It's a brand where business philo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
100- Dan Mall on Design Systems, Design as a Subscription, and Pricing Design
52:53
52:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:53
In a world where organizations constantly strive for efficiency and innovation, Design Systems have emerged as essential tools. They are pivotal in delivering greater value to users while simultaneously enhancing team productivity and satisfaction. Yet, these systems often stumble. Many companies face challenges in implementing and maintaining effe…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
99- Dyson - Business Design Teardown
2:06:57
2:06:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:06:57
Have you ever marveled at a Dyson product's seamless integration of form and function? Or how their pioneering approach to mundane appliances has shaped an entire market? Behind each groundbreaking product, there's a world of calculated business, design, and engineering decisions. Dyson has consistently raised the bar, from revolutionary bagless va…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
98- Birkenstock - Business Design Teardown
2:05:07
2:05:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:05:07
Birkenstock… A symbol of practical beauty, or just an ugly shoe you wouldn't dream of slipping on? Few footwear items split opinion like this classic German brand's iconic sandals. Behind the love-it-or-hate-it reputation is a business that's weathered the tides of fashion for nearly 250 years. And behind its design lies a compelling narrative of c…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
97- Marvel - Business Design Teardown
1:39:33
1:39:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:39:33
Marvel Studios isn't just about capes, hammers, and infinity stones. It's an unparalleled tapestry of storytelling, business acumen, and creative brilliance. But how did a comic book company evolve into a cinematic juggernaut? In our latest Business Design Teardown, we delve deep into the very core of Marvel Studios' business strategy. Have you eve…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
96- Oatly - Business Design Teardown
1:49:18
1:49:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:49:18
From the academic corridors of Sweden to the bustling coffee shops and supermarket chillers of major cities worldwide; one company has seamlessly merged innovation with a global market strategy to dominate the plant-based beverage scene. That's right, in this latest Business Design Teardown, we’re diving deep into the world of Oatly. Join Alen, Fra…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
95- Muji - Business Design Teardown
1:47:52
1:47:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:47:52
Born in Japan yet embraced globally, Muji challenges the consumerist tide with its 'no-brand' philosophy. From their iconic pens to the soft glow of their aroma diffusers, Muji has reshaped how we perceive functionality and design. In this episode, we'll explore the minimalist marvel that is Muji - its roots, its rise, and how it carves tranquillit…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
94- Helvetica - Business Design Teardown
1:53:29
1:53:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:53:29
You may not think about it often, but it's everywhere—on billboards, in your emails, on your favorite websites, and perhaps even your company's logo. Yes, we're talking about fonts and, more specifically, Helvetica. Our latest Business Design Teardown explores the iconic typeface used by businesses worldwide for over half a century. Created in 1957…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
93- Aesop - Business Design Teardown
1:45:41
1:45:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:45:41
Ahh, the unmistakable scent of a new Business Teardown! This one has notes of brand elegance and a touch of sophisticated aesthetics… but does it have the sweet smell of business success? Excuse our indulgence in some beauty-based puns; this week, we're taking our first look at a skincare brand that has long been admired for its design, customer ex…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
92- Eames chair - Business Design Teardown
2:08:53
2:08:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:08:53
When you think of truly iconic design, what comes to mind? In tech, perhaps it’s the iPhone. In typography, Helvetica claims legendary status. In the furniture world, one piece has a hold over designers like no other; the Eames Lounge Chair. If the name doesn't ring a bell, its form is instantly recognizable. From appearances in Frasier, Iron Man, …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
91- Tour de France - Business Design Teardown
1:45:25
1:45:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:45:25
The Tour de France isn't just a test of physical endurance; it's a spectacle fueling a vast economic ecosystem. From the massive investments poured into team sponsorships to the bustling local economies along the race route, the Tour de France leaves no stone unturned when exploring potential income streams. In this Business Design Teardown, we'll …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
90- WeWork - Business Design Teardown
1:23:21
1:23:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:23:21
When is a real estate business not a real estate business? When it declares its mission to "elevate the world's consciousness", brands itself a tech company, and promises to blur the line between work and life through beautifully designed spaces. Yes, we're talking about WeWork in the latest Business Design Teardown. With its lofty promises to deli…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
89- Warby Parker - Business Design Teardown
1:20:27
1:20:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:20:27
How do you know you’ve made an enormous impact in the world of business design? When you have a popular expression coined about you! Warby Parker set new standards for customer experience in the eyewear industry, and “The Warby Parker of…” has become shorthand to describe direct-to-consumer businesses that challenge traditional retail norms. The Wa…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
88- Sonos - Business Design Teardown
1:27:07
1:27:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:27:07
Can you hear that? It’s the sweet sound of another business teardown, this time focused on a company that’s all about great listening experiences…. Sonos! From slick unboxing and setup to seamless connectivity, Sonos have designed a product experience that is the envy of the hardware world. But is it the envy of the business world, too? In this epi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
87- Lululemon - Business Design Teardown
1:20:54
1:20:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:20:54
One of the best ways to learn about business is to find a topic or product you love, and dive into the business side of it. Whether it’s your favourite footwear brand, sports team, hotel chain or streaming provider, we all have businesses we’re fascinated by, care about, or affiliate ourselves with. And few disciplines make these connections with t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
86- The AI Business Race: Who might come out on top?
37:26
37:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:26
AI has rapidly evolved from science-fiction fantasy into a tangible tool that is already impacting our lives and work. But it’s just the beginning… Not just for end users, but for the businesses hoping to emerge victorious from this new industrial age. But who will come out on top in this race? And what are the business categories they’re competing…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
85- The Power of Compounding: Building Wealth as a Designer (w Akshan Ish of Spotify)
54:06
54:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:06
Curious how to make your money work for you as a designer or creative? Well, you've come to the right place! In this episode, Alen and his guest, Akshan Ish (a design manager at Spotify), have an insightful conversation about mastering the art of financial literacy. Join them as they cover topics like: Personal finance stories and lessons Investing…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
84- Negotiation and Business Design: Creating Value for All Parties Involved
28:48
28:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:48
Does the thought of negotiating make you break out in a cold sweat, fellow designer? Join Alen and our special guest Jo as they explore the ins and outs of negotiation in various contexts, from job offers to client negotiations. In this episode, Alen and Jo discuss: The power of empathy in understanding the other party's perspective and priorities …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
83- The Business Design Agony Uncles: Influencing Biz Strategy, Making Metrics Fun, Can I AI-proof my career?
43:03
43:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:03
Are you a faced with a business-related question, but don’t know who to ask for help? Facing challenges at work as you build your business confidence, and need some expert advice? Well, the d.MBA’s very own Alen and Franz are here to help! Welcome to the d.MBA Mailbag, our new podcast format where Alen and Franz turn Agony Uncles as they tackle ano…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
82- Could AI make designers redundant? (w Franz Blach of Pinterest)
55:18
55:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:18
Seen enough AI tool renderings of fantasy avatars, futuristic skyline designs, or unicorns playing tennis? Franz Blach certainly has. As tools like Chat GPT, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion continue to capture our imaginations and headlines, they’ve also prompted an existential crisis in our industry. Could AI make us redundant? Franz doesn’t thin…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
81- To bundle or unbundle your product… That is the question!
34:13
34:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:13
Jim Barksdale, a former CEO of Netscape, once famously proclaimed there are “only two ways to make money in business: one is to bundle; the other is unbundle.” Bundling is the business of rolling up products or services into packages, usually at a lower cost than buying them individually. Think meal deals, all-inclusive holidays, and software suite…
…
continue reading
For our latest episode we put our new business school quiz to the test, with our unsuspecting producer Tom Prior in the hot-seat. When it comes to understanding business terminology and concepts, it can regularly feel like our knowledge is under the spotlight. What does that business terminology mean? Should I know what that stakeholder was referri…
…
continue reading
Sept 15th, 2022. The day Adobe announced its intention to acquire Figma for an eyewatering $20Bn was also a day of mourning for much of the design community. Our industry’s main tool was falling into the hands of a brand many have grown increasingly skeptical of. Sad times. But at a company retreat in rural Spain, the team at Penpot was rejoicing. …
…
continue reading
Discounting and Tesla are two words you never hear together. Elon Musk famously wrote in an email to Tesla staff that “There can never – and I mean never – be a discount on a new car coming out of the factory in pristine condition… The acid test is that if you cannot explain to any customer who paid full price why other another customer didn’t with…
…
continue reading
In this episode of the d.MBA podcast, we explore the exciting and rapidly-evolving field of artificial intelligence and its potential impacts on the design community and the future of business. We discuss: The latest advances in AI technology and how it is transforming the way we design products, services, and experiences. We also delve into the po…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
76- Are employee-owned companies the future of business?
1:02:49
1:02:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:49
How can we best align the goals of employees and owners? It’s an age-old problem of a principal-agent relationship. But there is a promising trend that could really align incentives between employees and owners. It’s by making employees owners! We decided to invite two d.MBA alumni, Sandra Fernandez and Chris How to share how employee ownership wor…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
75- Opportunity costs, negotiating salary, and MVPs
25:46
25:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:46
In the latest Designer in Nature Talking Business, we are hosting Elisabeth Graf, a service designer, innovation coach, and facilitator. And a d.MBA alumna! Lilly shared how she got into design and learned about the importance of a business concept called opportunity costs. Along the way, we also discussed how she negotiated her salary and got a 50…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
74- What are economic moats and why do they matter to designers?
22:12
22:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:12
According to the Oxford dictionary, a moat is “a deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle, fort, or town, typically filled with water and intended as a defence against attack”. Ok, basically some kind of defense around the castle. So, how does this concept translate to business? And design work? Martyn Reding, chief design officer at Upzelo and former…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
73- Will Adobe ruin Figma? And will Patagonia save the planet?
1:01:06
1:01:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:06
Let’s take a moment of silence. Adobe is acquiring Figma. Judging by Adobe’s previous acquisitions this is surely the end of Figma’s best days, right? But Adobe is promising to keep Figma independent! Should we believe Adobe? But let’s also celebrate. The founder of Patagonia is giving away his company to fight the climate crisis. He is setting a b…
…
continue reading
Most of us have already tried to offset the carbon footprint of our consumption. Maybe you’ve paid to offset your flight, a parcel delivery, or even production of a product you bought. And it made you feel good, right? Well, this episode will make you feel a bit worse. Sorry. But if you are ready to take the red pill listen in and we’ll share: how …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
71- Why designing for users isn’t always the right approach
19:02
19:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:02
When you hire a designer to help you on a project, you don't expect them to say: "What if we don't focus on users here?". Franz shared his story of working on a client project that benefitted from designing for suppliers, not customers. To make his point for focusing on suppliers he used a tool called a value chain. Tune in to Designers in Nature T…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
70- When people say money is free or expensive, what do they mean?
46:42
46:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:42
Recently, you may have heard that money is getting more expensive. But how can the money be more expensive? Money is, well, just money. To clarify this business lingo, Alen and Franz break down the current business environment and share what sets the price of money. We talked about: what cheap and expensive capital even means, why is money now gett…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
69- Strong dollar is good for the US economy, right? Right?!
34:04
34:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:04
It’s usually a bad sign when currencies take over news. It was no different this July 13th when the news broke that one euro is worth exactly one dollar for the first time in twenty years. The US dollar has been gaining strength against other currencies over the last six months due to various reasons, which we cover in detail in this episode. But t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
68- How to position and price yourself as a design freelancer
1:00:53
1:00:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:53
Working as a freelancer comes with opportunities and challenges. One of these challenges is how you position yourself to get the clients you love working with. And secondly, how do you price your services so you can survive and thrive. We invited two d.MBA alumni and design freelancers (well, they prefer the term contractors - more about that in th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
67- If monopolies are so bad why is every company trying to become one?
40:11
40:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:11
There is a saying in business that if a company is trying to prove that it is a monopoly, then it is not one. But if a company is trying to prove that it is not a monopoly, it may very well be. Holding a monopoly gives a company an unfair advantage, which is good for the company but usually bad for consumers and society as less (or no competition) …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
66- How to convince your company to test a 4-day work week?
1:00:41
1:00:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:41
Surely, most of us would agree that a 4-day work week is a good idea, right? Early research shows no drop in productivity, and a big increase in employee well-being. So, why hasn’t it been more widely adopted? At the d.MBA, we’ve been running a 4-day work week for the last four years. So, we thought we would comment on some common concerns about th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
65- What does a market crash mean for design (and business) community?
49:22
49:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:22
The prices of tech companies have fallen dramatically. Facebook, Netflix, Google, Apple, and Amazon are all down between 20 and 80% since their record highs. Yikes. Everyone is freaking out. But why? How does a market crash affect companies and us working for them? How does this affect designers? In this Business Design Jam, we talked about: the re…
…
continue reading
Have you ever hired a freelancer and paid them per hour? And did you have the feeling that they are extending their scope of work so they could charge you more? Then, you have already experienced misaligned incentives, which are one of the biggest challenges and opportunities for companies. They can hurt relationships within companies and damage pa…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
63- Andrew Whelan - Business Design at Ford
38:04
38:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:04
Business design is already pretty common among design agencies but not so much in product companies. So, we were excited to talk to Andrew Whelan, a Business Design Director at the D-Ford London Lab, where he leads a diverse and multi-skilled team tackling some of the biggest business model opportunities in the auto and mobility industry. We covere…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
62- Wall-worthy school certificates for the digital age
33:53
33:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:53
Last week, we launched new school certificates. Using a combination of generative art and blockchain, we created several hundred unique certificates so that each student can receive a piece of art that is wall-worthy and trustworthy. To learn more about the project check out the blog post with visual materials. In this podcast episode, I spoke with…
…
continue reading
In this Business Design Jam, we talked about NFTs (Non-fungible tokens) and what new business models they will enable. Franz Emprechtinger and Alen Faljic covered: digital art and recurring revenues, fractionalization, distributed ownership, and crowdfunding, community and network effects, and internet native cooperations - DAOs (Decentralized Auto…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
60- Aarron Walter - Business case for emotional design
40:23
40:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:23
Aarron Walter is Director of Product on the COVID Response team at Resolve to Save Lives. Previously, he was VP of Content at InVision, and founded the UX practice at Mailchimp where he helped grow the product from a few thousand users to more than 10 million. He's the author of a number of books, the latest of which is a second edition of Designin…
…
continue reading
The opportunity costs are a super important concept for our decision-making process. They describe potential benefits that we miss out on because we decided to do something else. For example, focusing the company’s resources on rebranding instead of product development. In this episode, we will cover: how opportunity costs affect decisions taken wi…
…
continue reading
In the guestimation challenge, two contenders make fast estimations with very little data available. This game imitates a real-world scenario, where we need to estimate certain numbers for our projects. For example, when we want to understand the size of our competitors, how much revenue our product or service idea could make, etc. This time, conte…
…
continue reading