Navigating the Crossroads of Psychology, Technology, and Art with Jess Holbrook In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad delves into the fascinating career journey of Jess Holbrook. With a background in psychology, technology, and art, Jess has become a pivotal figure in the field of responsible AI. From his formative experiences in human-computer interaction to influential roles at tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Meta, Jess shares insights on career growth, facing rejection, the evolution of AI, and the intersection of various disciplines. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on maintaining motivation, the significance of responsible AI, and advice for career navigation in the fast-changing tech industry. 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Early Career and Internship Experience 03:39 The Intersection of Art, Psychology, and Technology 07:45 Navigating Career Challenges and Rejections 14:15 Advice for Aspiring Researchers and PhD Candidates 25:53 Transitioning to Management and Leadership 34:15 Self-Doubt and Self-Destruction in the Workplace 34:55 The Dangers of Overconfidence 35:57 Balancing Humility and Self-Improvement 36:15 Techniques for Improving Self-Awareness 37:56 The Importance of Asking Questions 39:00 Challenges of Qualitative Research at Amazon 44:23 Transitioning to AI at Google 49:08 The Role of Responsible AI 51:31 Staying Sharp in a Dynamic Field 01:01:46 Advice for Early Career Professionals in AI 01:05:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad interviews UX designer Jen Wong about her courageous transition from a successful role at Dropbox to pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams. Jen discusses her journey, including the foundational role her passion for foster care played, the challenges of navigating a career with ADHD, and her strategies for maintaining mental health. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI and UX design, the importance of authenticity, and valuable insights for early-career designers navigating the current tough job market. 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Early Career Struggles and Discovering Design 02:07 Starting a Nonprofit and Learning UX 05:26 The Importance of Being Authentic 07:34 Pivotal Career Moments 08:13 Leaving Dropbox for Entrepreneurship 17:52 Joining Netflix and Balancing Mental Health 22:27 Strategies for Managing Mental Health at Work 28:12 The Role of a Senior Designer at Netflix 32:52 Creativity and Challenging the Status Quo 34:14 Navigating ADHD in a Professional Context 35:43 Finding Your Flow: Hyper-Focus Strategies 36:50 Dealing with Rejection Dysphoria 38:18 Balancing Tasks in Large Companies 39:59 The Power of Passion Projects 41:35 Uncovering Insights Through Investigation 44:24 Leveraging AI in UX Design 45:53 Future of UX Design with AI 53:52 Advice for Aspiring UX Designers 57:23 Navigating the Job Market 01:03:56 Wrap-Up

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad interviews Renda Morton about her journey from running a successful design studio in New York to taking on leadership roles at the New York Times and Dropbox. Renda shares her experiences of transitioning from a small studio environment to corporate settings, dealing with challenges, and avoiding burnout while maintaining creative energy. She also discusses the pivotal moments in her career, including the iPad era's impact on digital design, the Wirecutter acquisition, and her recent shift to a more balanced lifestyle as a certified coach. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating career leaps and sustaining passion in design. 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Early Interest in Art and Design 04:11 First Job Abroad: Experience in Holland 10:38 Transition to New York's Design Scene 16:36 Starting and Running a Design Studio 19:58 Challenges of Running a Design Business 22:35 Decision to Move to the Corporate World 24:55 Navigating Career Transitions 27:38 Adjusting to a Corporate Environment 32:10 Climbing the Leadership Ladder 35:12 The Wirecutter Acquisition 39:42 Experiencing and Overcoming Burnout 41:24 A New Chapter: Embracing Coaching 48:02 Advice for Career Pivots 49:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Pixelated Path, host Chris Abad welcomes Josh Silverman and Billie Mandel, two seasoned professionals in UX design and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores their extensive careers, highlighting their roles in major tech companies and their commitment to mentorship and inclusive design. Josh and Billie share stories of their long-standing friendship and professional collaborations, the pivotal moments that defined their paths, and the lessons they've learned in the evolving field of UX. They also delve into the importance of self-leadership and offer valuable advice for upcoming designers. The episode wraps up with an exciting announcement about their new Group Coaching Club, aimed at fostering growth and support within the creative and technical community.

00:00 Introduction

02:12 The Early Days: How Josh and Billie Met

07:12 Entrepreneurial Beginnings

12:20 Josh's Leap into Schwadesign

22:51 Billie's Path to Synesthetics

32:22 First Professional Collaboration

35:36 The Role of AI in Design

36:50 The Importance of Buy-In and Culture Change

37:38 Teaching and Mentoring in Design

39:22 Navigating Workplace Politics

41:03 Building Sustainable and Scalable Products

42:49 Empowering Junior Designers

45:09 The Value of Fresh Perspectives

53:58 The Impact of the Pandemic on Careers

59:09 Launching a Group Coaching Club

01:11:15 Words of Wisdom for New Designers