the deeply human design podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

“Chris and I dig into the shifting shape of design roles — and what it means for inclusive leadership.”

Summary
In this insightful episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of design roles and the increasing specialisation within the industry. Join Chris Compston and me as we explore the dynamics of inclusivity in design leadership, reflecting on personal experiences and the subtle power shifts in remote meetings. Discover how these changes are shaping the future of design and the importance of taking action to foster a more inclusive environment. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges the status quo and inspires reflection on our roles within the design community.

Guest
Chris Compston
Substack – https://chriscompston.substack.com/
Website – https://chriscompston.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscompston/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Chris Compston

05:07 The Evolution of UX Design

12:00 The State of Product Design Today

20:00 AI's Impact on Design and Product Management 25:49 Navigating Change in the Design Landscape

27:14 The Value of Human Contribution in a Capitalist Society

28:57 Defining Personal and Organizational Values

30:25 The Importance of Inclusivity in Innovation

32:21 The Shift in Hiring Practices and Candidate Experience

36:23 Rethinking Interview Processes for Inclusivity

43:33 Understanding Product Operations

48:00 Building Confidence as a Consultant

52:00 Creating Psychological Safety in Teams

In this conversation, Carmen and I explore the evolution of UX design, the importance of user research, and the challenges faced in the current job market. They discuss the impact of AI on the industry, the role of imposter syndrome, and the significance of outcomes in design. Carmen shares her insights on the changing landscape of product design and the need for innovation in a challenging economy, emphasising the value of research in shaping successful products.

“What does it really mean to design with empathy — and how do we stay human in a system that often forgets it?”

Summary
In this episode, Kirtika and I explore the layered world of UX design — from discovery and research to empathy and growth. She shares her journey from graphic design to UX, the power of curiosity, and the ongoing challenge of balancing user needs with business goals. We talk about company culture, interviews, autonomy, and what it really takes to keep growing creatively and professionally in this field.

Guest
Kirtika B
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dirtykirti/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkir/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:51 Understanding UX Design
05:59 The Role of a UX Designer
09:00 The Importance of Discovery
11:54 Diverging vs. Converging in Design
15:00 The Evolution of UX Roles
18:04 Balancing Business and User Needs
21:04 Research Methodologies in UX
23:59 The Impact of Dyslexia on Design Thinking
26:52 Cultivating a Supportive Design Culture
28:21 Empowerment and Support in the Workplace
30:15 The Importance of Autonomy and Trust
32:40 Problem-Solving Mindset in Design
34:54 The Art of Listening and Communication
38:14 Navigating Workplace Dynamics
41:05 The Value of Experience and Portfolio
45:03 The Illusion of Job Security
48:09 Pursuing Passion and Overcoming Fear

Welcome to the deeply human design podcast. In this short introduction, I invite you to explore the heart and soul of working in design. My aim is to create a space for authentic conversations about the messy, inspiring, and very human side of our work. Join me as we uncover the stories and insights that make design a truly human experience.

Substack - https://deeplyhumandesign.substack.com

Web -  https://www.dannyhearn.me

LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/

In this first episode, I sit down with Gavin, a designer, builder and creator of Figma plugins downloaded over 600,000 times. We talk about the messy, emotional side of design: instinct, burnout, psychological safety and how our environments shape the work we do. Gavin shares his journey from Rolls Royce to government projects to building tools for designers, and we explore what it takes to balance empathy, pragmatism and craft in today’s shifting UX landscape.

Gavin's figma plugins
https://www.figma.com/@gavinmcfarland

Gavins website
https://gavinmcfarland.co.uk/

“What happens when ambition collides with authenticity — and how do we stay grounded while leading others?”

Summary
In this episode, I sit down with Joe Knowles to explore his career journey, where he grappled with the challenges of a fast-paced UX career. We reflect on his "Icarus moment"—the point where his professional climb led to a personal re-evaluation—and discuss the honest struggles of UX leadership. Joe opens up about the intersection of introversion and authenticity, and the power of being vulnerable in an industry that can often feel like a performance. This conversation is for anyone navigating their own path and seeking a more human-centered approach to their work.

Guest
Joe Knowles
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-knowles-41a80a20/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:33 The Icarus Metaphor: Balancing Career and Personal Life
06:26 The Weight of Responsibility in Leadership
09:34 Navigating Job Security and Market Anxiety
12:26 Authentic Leadership in Uncertain Times
15:40 The Challenges of Introversion in Leadership
18:28 Vulnerability and Its Impact on Team Dynamics
21:33 Burnout: Understanding and Addressing It
24:32 Reflections on Personal Experiences with Burnout
32:12 The Human Element in Work Relationships
34:32 Motivation and Ownership in Work
38:06 Identity and Career Choices
39:36 Public vs. Private Sector Dynamics
42:40 Long-term Commitment in Public Sector Work
44:43 Impact Measurement in Public Sector Projects
48:57 GDS Methodology: Pros and Cons
52:42 Navigating Constraints in Public Sector Design
55:30 The Importance of Adaptability in Design Careers

Gavin Elliott, a senior design leader, shares his personal struggles, sharing his vulnerability, and how he has navigated his own journey with autism while building a long and demanding career in design.

Gavin is currently Chief Design Officer at Scrumconnect, where he leads user-centred design across major government and private-sector programmes, including the £19m MHCLG account. Previously, he was Senior UX Manager at Shopify, overseeing multiple UX teams and helping deliver key product launches such as Domains and Hydrogen 2.0.

Before that, Gavin headed UX at UK Health Security Agency, leading design for the NHS COVID-19 app and related services during the pandemic recovery phase. At Department for Work and Pensions, he progressed from Interaction Designer to Head of Service Design, managing more than 70 designers across 40+ projects, including Universal Credit.

His career also spans Traveljunction, Sky, UserZoom, and Stats Perform, alongside founding Industry Conf. All of this rests on an unexpected early foundation as a British Army mechanic and gaming editor.

Together, we explore topics ranging from AI and the future of design to the more personal realities of the industry, including mental health, vulnerability, and the importance of support. Gavin speaks candidly about the often-overlooked need for personal and professional care, particularly for those early in their careers.

We also discuss how to create environments that genuinely foster growth and what it might take to make the design industry more humane and sustainable for everyone.

Gavin Elliot

Web - https://gavinelliott.co.uk/

LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-elliott-x/

Danny Hearn

Substack - https://deeplyhumandesign.substack.com

Web -  https://www.dannyhearn.me

LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/

Chapters
00:00 Have We Reached “Peak Designer”? The Hiring Boom and Slowdown
01:08 Introducing Andy — Designer, Founder, Investor, Pilot, Diver, “Shark Wrangler”
01:42 Origin Story — Geeky Kid, Early Web, and Falling in Love with the Internet
04:35 From Dive Instructor in Asia to Self-Taught Web Designer
07:26 Discovering UX and Helping Bring User Experience Design to the UK
10:34 Meeting Rich and Jeremy, Web Standards, and the Birth of Clearleft
18:43 Inside Clearleft — Culture, Community, and a Different Way to Run an Agency
22:15 Burberry, “Hyper-Alignment,” and How Clearleft Actually Worked Day to Day
32:24 UX London, Leading Design, and the “Accidental Design Leader”
47:16 Broken Web, AI, the Future of Design — S-Curves, Uncertainty, and Learning to Flow

“What happens when your UX career stops fitting the life you want — and you decide to rewrite the story?”

Summary
In this powerful episode, Amy Santee joins me to unpack the realities of building a career in UX — beyond the glossy titles and job descriptions. With a background spanning childhood development, healthcare innovation, and UX strategy at eBay and Civic Software Foundation, Amy has spent over a decade exploring how people, systems, and products connect. Today, as a Design Researcher and Career Strategist, they coach UX professionals through burnout, career change, and the messy realities of the industry. Together, we dive into the emotional and systemic challenges of UX work, the shifting job market, and how to reclaim agency and meaning in your career. We talk about identity, community, and the courage to redefine success on your own terms.

Guest
Amy Santee
Website – https://thejawbreaker.beehiiv.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysantee/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Amy's Journey
03:50 Navigating Corporate Culture as an Anthropologist
06:52 The Challenges of UX Research
09:46 The Jaded UX Professional
12:37 Identity and Job Market Uncertainty
15:33 The Rigged Job Market for Tech Workers
18:46 The Shared Struggles of Workers
21:34 The Future of UX and Worker Rights
29:59 The Fight for Workers' Rights
32:45 Acknowledging the Bleak Reality
35:09 Embracing the Unconventional Career Path
37:20 Navigating Uncertainty and Identity
40:37 Redefining Value Beyond Productivity
43:38 Diversifying Income Streams
46:09 Finding Fulfillment in Unexpected Places

“What does it really mean to design with empathy — and how do we stay human in a system that often forgets it?”

Summary
Caro shares her journey from scientific research in New Zealand to becoming a Senior Service Designer in London. She reflects on navigating ambiguity, embracing imposter syndrome, and finding confidence in her own voice. We talk about authenticity in the tech industry, the realities of consultancy, teaching systems thinking, and her passion for empowering young women in tech.

Guest
Caro McElroy

Host
Danny Hearn
Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 From genetics to discovering service design
01:54 Early career: labs, Toastmasters, facilitation & Westpac
04:52 Service design as a generalist’s dream & loving ambiguity
10:06 Why divergence feels “unproductive” (and why it matters)
12:42 Good vs hard clients, trust, and being treated as part of the team
15:50 Imposter syndrome and learning to say “I don’t know”
21:32 Teaching systems thinking & why consultancy accelerates growth
24:14 Tech for good and empowering young women in tech
31:50 Finding your voice, language, and not shrinking at work
40:36 Bias, ownership, and learning to claim credit for your impact

What happens when creativity, community, and technology collide?

Summary
In this episode, I catch up with Sol Rogers, my old next-door neighbour from Totnes who’s now the Global Director of Innovation at Magnopus and founder of the award-winning immersive studio Rewind. Sol’s career has spanned VR, film, and emerging tech for Disney, Jaguar, and Meta, and he’s earned an honorary doctorate for his impact on the industry.

We talk about his unconventional start as a new-age traveller, the realities of success, ADHD, fatherhood, and what it means to build communities that truly support people. Sol shares stories of breakthroughs, burnout, and staying grounded in a fast-moving world — including how a VR demo for Jaguar unexpectedly reshaped car design.

A thoughtful, open conversation about creativity, purpose, and time.

Guest
Dr Solomon Rogers
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/solrogers/
Magnopus – https://www.magnopus.com/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 Childhood Connections and Early Influences
03:41 Career Journey and Professional Achievements
06:34 Defining Success: Personal Perspectives
09:29 The Role of Community in Personal Growth
12:31 Navigating Privilege and Opportunity
15:11 The Impact of ADHD on Life and Work
18:23 Building a Culture of Community in Business
21:09 The Intersection of Friendship and Leadership
34:05 The Emotional Complexity of Team Dynamics
36:43 Navigating Business Challenges and Personal Growth
40:08 The Intersection of Technology and Design
46:36 The Evolution of Virtual Reality in Automotive Design
50:41 The Future of Digital Twins and Immersive Experiences
56:46 Cultivating Healthy Relationships with Technology