EPISODE · Jul 22, 2025 · 1H 17M
#8: Andy Budd on Transitioning to VC and Coaching, Designers As Founders, and Being Bad At Something
from UX Fika Podcast · host Anna Dahlström
In this episode of UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Andy Budd – design leader, coach, investor, and long-time advocate for the design community. When we last spoke in 2021, Andy had just stepped away from Clearleft, the agency he co-founded, and was embracing a new chapter. Four years on, we catch up on what’s happened since.We talk about his transition from agency founder to solo coach and advisor, how a “serendipity break” turned into new opportunities, and the accidental path that led him to write his new book, The Growth Equation. Andy shares why he believes design is at a turning point, why AI tools are accelerating the commoditisation of design, what he’s seeing inside the startup ecosystem, and the ways design leaders can better communicate their value in increasingly complex organisations.It’s a conversation about reinvention, relevance, and what he’s learning from being bad at something again – whether that’s flying planes, or playing the drums.Plus:☕️ Why the coffee shop the Onion in Seoul in South Korea is his favourite🌟 Why not to ask a coach for life adviceWhat we cover:01:37 The Journey of ClearLeft and Employee Ownership03:34 Navigating a Serendipity Break07:28 Rediscovering Passions: Flying and Drumming10:33 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Coaching14:23 The Birth of a Book: Insights and Lessons22:29 The Power of Writing in Design and Leadership25:59 Gathering Around Design Tools31:34 The Future of Design Profession in The Time of AI48:13 Investing in Designer Skills53:08 Experiencing Failure and Culture Change54:44 The Future of Entrepreneurship and Design57:32 Challenges for Designers as Founders01:02:45 Communication and Influence in Design01:09:25 Reflections on Life and AdviceWhere to find Andy:LinkedInWebsiteStacklistTwitterBlueskyInstagramWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:LinkedInWebsiteInstagramIf you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#uxdesign, #productdesign #business, #technology, #adventure, #serendipitybreak #productdesign #seedcamp #thegrowthequation #ai #designleadership #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #andybudd #clearleft
What this episode covers
In this episode of UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Andy Budd – design leader, coach, investor, and long-time advocate for the design community. When we last spoke in 2021, Andy had just stepped away from Clearleft, the agency he co-founded, and was embracing a new chapter. Four years on, we catch up on what’s happened since.We talk about his transition from agency founder to solo coach and advisor, how a “serendipity break” turned into new opportunities, and the accidental path that led him to write his new book, The Growth Equation. Andy shares why he believes design is at a turning point, why AI tools are accelerating the commoditisation of design, what he’s seeing inside the startup ecosystem, and the ways design leaders can better communicate their value in increasingly complex organisations.It’s a conversation about reinvention, relevance, and what he’s learning from being bad at something again – whether that’s flying planes, or playing the drums.Plus:☕️ Why the coffee shop the Onion in Seoul in South Korea is his favourite🌟 Why not to ask a coach for life adviceWhat we cover:01:37 The Journey of ClearLeft and Employee Ownership03:34 Navigating a Serendipity Break07:28 Rediscovering Passions: Flying and Drumming10:33 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Coaching14:23 The Birth of a Book: Insights and Lessons22:29 The Power of Writing in Design and Leadership25:59 Gathering Around Design Tools31:34 The Future of Design Profession in The Time of AI48:13 Investing in Designer Skills53:08 Experiencing Failure and Culture Change54:44 The Future of Entrepreneurship and Design57:32 Challenges for Designers as Founders01:02:45 Communication and Influence in Design01:09:25 Reflections on Life and AdviceWhere to find Andy:LinkedInWebsiteStacklistTwitterBlueskyInstagramWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:LinkedInWebsiteInstagramIf you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#uxdesign, #productdesign #business, #technology, #adventure, #serendipitybreak #productdesign #seedcamp #thegrowthequation #ai #designleadership #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #andybudd #clearleft
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#8: Andy Budd on Transitioning to VC and Coaching, Designers As Founders, and Being Bad At Something
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