In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick talk about how the lines between designers and product managers are getting more and more blurry.

AI tools speed up our way of working and startups grow using smaller teams than ever. Does that mean we are heading toward a new unicorn role for a designer-product-manager-hybrid?

From working with founders instead of PMs, to shielding teams from company politics, to the rise of fractional roles and hybrid titles, we explore how the designer and PM responsibilities are evolving and whether we’re just overcomplicating the whole thing.

🔸 Why strategy and design are merging
🔸 The slow disappearance of traditional PMs
🔸 What “fractional” actually means (and why it’s not just a buzzword)
🔸 Whether small teams still need dedicated PMs
🔸 The mental toll of context switching
🔸 When meetings are useful — and when they’re just expensive
🔸 The future of the product designer title (or lack thereof)

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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss the fast-evolving world of design tools, AI integration for your tools, and why your current workflow might (or might not) already be outdated.

From tool fatigue to the Figma vs. Framer debate, they explore how designers are adapting (or not) to new tech, what makes or breaks productivity today, and whether a single tool could truly bridge the gap between design and development.

They also discuss the shifting responsibilities of designers and product managers, and why understanding code might soon be part of your job description.

Whether you're curious about the next big thing, feeling overwhelmed by the AI tool race, or wondering if Figma is still the go-to, this conversation is packed with insights that will shape the way you think about design in 2025 and beyond.

🔸 Why AI tool overload is killing designer productivity
🔸 The hidden cost of switching tools
🔸 Can Framer replace Figma for marketing sites?
🔸 What “designing in code” actually looks like today
🔸 How integrated tools could merge design and dev roles
🔸 Why Figma’s future depends on its website builder
🔸 How product management and design are merging
🔸 The tradeoff between speed, craft, and business impact
🔸 What every designer should know about using AI effectively
🔸 A future with multiple tools sharing market dominance

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In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss the (design) updates Apple showcased at WWDC, including the much-hyped Liquid Glass, and what it means for product designers, users, and the future of UI.

They discuss why both the product design community and Apple focuses too much on Liquid Glas, what to focus on instead, and the more interesting subtle announcements.

The focus is less on Liquid Glass and more about UX because UI, UX, and product design isn’t just about visual polish. It’s marketing, emotion, accessibility, and trust. This is especially important when working on the devices we use a lot during the day.

At the same time, the episode highlights the growing importance of emotional design, the return of personality in UI, and the tension between trends and usability.

Inside this episode:

🔸 Why the design community is split on Liquid Glass
🔸 How Apple’s marketing may have overplayed the announcement
🔸 The return of 3D design and why people are tired of flat design
🔸 Why accessibility and readability always beat shiny aesthetics
🔸 How emotional design is becoming a bigger part of UX
🔸 Spotlight and Search improvements that actually boost productivity
🔸 How user expectations are shifting thanks to Apple’s design leadership
🔸 The risk of letting aesthetics overshadow real usability gains
🔸 How to position design updates for better user acceptance
🔸 Why design is key in marketing, branding, and product adoption

🎧 Listen now and stay sharp as design continues to evolve.

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🎯 "Good design speaks for itself."

...except when it doesn’t.

In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld break down how to present your work—and yourself—in a way that actually influences decisions. Whether you're in a client pitch, a job interview, or a high-stakes design review, how you communicate your value is just as important as what you design.

We’re breaking down:
✅ Why context matters—and how to tailor presentations to different audiences.
✅ The secret to stakeholder engagement (hint: it starts before you show the design).
✅ How to frame your work from a business perspective and prove ROI.
✅ Why transparency and preparation turn meetings into momentum.
✅ Specialist vs. generalist: how to position yourself for the right opportunities.
✅ How AI tools are quietly reshaping the way designers prep, present, and build trust.

If you’ve ever struggled to get buy-in, felt overlooked in meetings, or bombed an interview you thought you nailed, this episode will give you the strategies to turn it around.

🎧 Listen now and start presenting like your career depends on it—because it does.

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🛠️ "Design is just making pretty screens, right?"

...Wrong.

In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld dive into the real (and messy) side of product design—from research and collaboration to freelancing and client communication. It's everything they don't teach you in design school.

We’re breaking down:
✅ How user research actually works (and why users shouldn’t design the product).
✅ Why rough sketches and early wireframes still matter—even in an AI world.
✅ Freelancing vs. in-house: the surprising trade-offs you need to know.
✅ How collaborating with developers (and knowing a little code) can boost your impact.
✅ Why side projects aren't a distraction—they're your creative playground.
✅ How mentorship, mistakes, and continuous learning can skyrocket your career.

If you've ever felt stuck between "designing" and "delivering real outcomes," or wondered how to stay relevant in a world moving at startup speed, this episode is packed with insights you can start using today.

🎧 Listen now and make your design career future-proof!

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The design community is divided. Some love the Figma Config announcements while others hate it. We've seen every type of comment from 'the output code sucks' to 'Figma just ended Illustrator'. But which one is true? Or is none of it true?

In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss Figma Config's 2025 announcements and how Figma Make, Figma Sites, and the rest impact product and UX designers today.

We’re breaking down:

✅ Why Figma Make might redefine what prototyping looks like
✅ How Figma Sites could reshape how designers (and non-designers) build for the web
✅ The growing concerns about code quality and accessibility inside design tools
✅ Why coding is becoming critical for freelancers and startup designers
✅ How IPO-level moves from Figma signal a shift in priorities
✅ Why the design community is split and what that says about where we’re headed

If you’re wondering whether to embrace AI, pick up coding skills, or double down on prototyping—this episode will help you stay relevant in a post-Config world.

🎧 Listen now and future-proof your career!

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👋 More about Tyler and Nick
Tyler - https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white
Nick - https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld

💻"Designers don’t need to code."

...but is that advice still true today?

In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld unpack why the designer role is evolving fast—and why the next generation of designers will need more than just Figma skills to stay relevant.

We’re breaking down:
✅ Why polished prototypes now speak louder than polished decks.
✅ How AI is reshaping prototyping—and why it’s a tool, not a threat.
✅ The real reason coding is becoming a must-have for freelancers and startup designers.
✅ How to build trust with developers (and why it matters more than ever).
✅ Why empathy isn’t just for users—it’s the secret weapon for cross-team collaboration.
✅ How posting on LinkedIn can build visibility and career resilience.

If you’re feeling the pressure to level up—or wondering how to stand out as AI and automation shift the game—this episode will help you future-proof your career.

🎧 Listen now and stay ahead of the curve!

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💡 “Designers need a seat at the table!”

…but what if the company doesn’t even HAVE a table?

In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld unpack the real reason designers struggle to influence decisions—they don’t speak the right language.

We’re breaking down:
✅ Why empathy is a designer’s superpower—for users and stakeholders.
✅ The business language hack that gets you taken seriously in meetings.
✅ How to build real influence (hint: visibility = opportunity).
✅ The leadership vs. craft mastery dilemma—which career path should you take?
✅ The real reason mentorship & teaching will 10x your skills.
✅ Should designers learn to code? (Spoiler: It depends.)

If you've ever felt undervalued in meetings, frustrated by clueless stakeholders, or uncertain about your career path, this episode will give you the mindset shift you need to thrive.

🎧 Listen now and start making your design work IMPOSSIBLE to ignore!

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