35 years of product design wisdom from Apple, Disney, Pinterest and beyond | Bob Baxley

Introduction to Bob Baxley 00:00

• The discussion centers around Bob Baxley, a designer and executive with experience at Apple, Pinterest, and Yahoo, who shares insights gathered over his 35-year career.
• Design is framed as a moral obligation, emphasizing the need for great products in a world filled with subpar user experiences.

The Essence of Design 01:29

• Design is described as envisioning a desired future and taking steps to realize it.
• The importance of embedding design into a company's DNA from the start is highlighted, as successful design-led companies maintain a culture that prioritizes continuous improvement.

Transition from Apple to Pinterest 05:01

• Baxley reflects on his transition from Apple to Pinterest, noting cultural differences that impacted his experience.
• He emphasizes the significance of recalibrating to a new company culture and adapting values while respecting the new environment.

Lessons from Career Challenges 09:03

• Baxley discusses the common challenges faced by executives in rapidly growing companies, including the pressure to grow alongside the organization.
• He shares personal experiences of navigating career transitions and the emotional growth that can lag behind company growth.

Importance of Design Culture 14:57

• The conversation stresses the need for design to report to engineering for effective collaboration.
• Baxley advocates for a shared vision across teams to ensure that design is integrated into the engineering process from the outset.

Defining Design Mindset 15:48

• Design is positioned as a holistic mindset rather than merely visual aesthetics, stressing that it should influence every aspect of product development.
• Companies like Apple and Airbnb exemplify a design mindset, while others may not prioritize it in the same way.

The Value of Great Products 35:43

• Baxley argues that creating exceptional products is a moral obligation, as poor user experiences can detract from people's daily lives.
• He encourages product creators to empathize with users and acknowledge the impact of their designs.

The Role of Ideas and Advocacy 47:07

• The importance of championing ideas is emphasized, with a story about John Hubalt’s advocacy for lunar orbit rendezvous during the Apollo program illustrating the need for passionate support of innovative concepts.
• Baxley encourages individuals to advocate for their ideas, separating the idea from personal ego.

Final Thoughts on Design Process 69:06

• Baxley warns against rushing to create prototypes, suggesting that taking time to explore ideas conceptually can lead to better outcomes.
• He highlights that design should be approached thoughtfully to avoid premature conclusions and ensure quality.

Conclusion and Call to Action 100:00

• The podcast concludes with Baxley urging listeners to take responsibility for creating a better digital world that is safe and enjoyable for everyone.
• He invites engagement and collaboration within the design community to enhance the user experience across platforms.