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How to ace your design interview

Interviews are horrible. No one likes them. But does it have to be that way?

Margo Stern's new book, Good Job, takes on design interviews - both for candidates and for the people creating the interview process. She goes into great detail about how to actually ace a design interview, and for hiring managers, how to design an interview process that treats people like human beings.

We delve into all sorts of great discussions about interviews. How to ace them, what they get wrong, and what companies need to do to make the interview process better for designers.

Enjoy!

What we talked about:

✅ Why interviewing is a separate skill from doing the job ✅ How candidates can prepare through self‑reflection, rehearsal, and storytelling ✅ Why the STAR method works (and why most people use it badly) ✅ The real reason case studies fall flat and how to make yours a story, not a status report ✅ How to research a company without crossing the line into oversharing ✅ The advantages extroverts have in interviews and how introverts can level the field ✅ How candidates can show genuine interest without being performative ✅ How to read red flags in interview processes (ghosting, unclear expectations, chaotic loops) ✅ The danger of applying to too many jobs and why "less, but better" works for both sides ✅ The key questions both candidates and interviewers should ask

Where to find Margo:

📖 Margo's website Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is out! Use PODCAST20 to get 20% off.

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is out! Use PODCAST20 to get 20% off.

👉 Sign up to our UX writing newsletters

Ditto 2.0 is here, and wants you to rethink product content

Five years ago, Ditto launched as one of the first tools built specifically for managing product copy at scale. Now? It's powering content systems for some of the biggest design teams in tech and it just relaunched with a major update.

In this episode, I catch up with co-founders Jess and Jo about what they've learned since founding Ditto, what it's like to rebuild a product from the ground up, and why strong content systems are more essential than ever especially in the age of AI.

Learn what these founders are hearing from the heads of design teams about content, why systems thinking is more important than ever, and why they're optimistic about the future of content design.

What we talked about:

✅ How Ditto's vision has changed (and stayed the same) ✅ Why rebuilding the product from scratch was the right call ✅ What they've learned from working with dozens of enterprise teams ✅ How to support content systems in companies with messy, legacy infrastructure ✅ What sales has taught them about communicating the value of content ✅ How AI is shaping expectations—and where it actually adds value ✅ Why more content designers should think like founders

Where to find Ditto:

📖 Ditto

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is out! Use PODCAST20 to get 20% off.

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is out! Use PODCAST20 to get 20% off.

Should content designers care about "vibe coding"?

AI prototyping has taken the design world by storm. Replit, Cursor, Lovable, Figma Make...all of them are certainly very cool. But do they actually change the way we design? And if they do, should we even care?

David Hamilton joins me to talk about it.

What we talked about:

✅ Designing content for cars across screens, systems, and contexts ✅ The stakes of language in safety-critical interfaces ✅ Why consistency across app and vehicle language really matters ✅ How content designers can shape AI systems ✅ What "vibe coding" is and why content still plays a key role ✅ Why the last 5% of polish is the new differentiator ✅ The importance of taste, trust, and systems thinking

Where to find David:

📖 LinkedIn

📖 David's Substack

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is out! Use PODCAST20 to get 20% off.

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is out! Use PODCAST20 to get 20% off.

👉 Check out the Content Design Salary Survey

When words make or break the player experience

Most content designers work in apps, websites, and services. But what happens when your product is a massive open-world RPG or a competitive shooter?

In this episode, I talk with Ben Moran, a UX writer who's worked on AAA video games, about the unique challenges of designing language for games. From menu systems and HUD elements to skill trees and settings, we explore how content design in games is a constant balancing act between immersion and usability.

We also talk about the differences between "content design" in the gaming industry (quests, story content) versus UX writing for UI, and why game studios are missing opportunities when they don't bring dedicated UX writers onto their teams.

What we talked about:

✅ How Ben transitioned from product design and copywriting into UX writing for games ✅ The difference between content design for quests and UX writing for UI ✅ Immersion vs. usability: why both matter, and how to find the balance ✅ Deciding when to name things in a game (and when not to) ✅ Making complex systems like skill trees, armor upgrades, and settings feel approachable ✅ Why players will tolerate complexity in gameplay, but not in basic navigation ✅ The missed opportunity when studios don't hire UX writers ✅ Lessons from games that can inspire innovation in digital products

Where to find Ben:

📖 LinkedIn

📖 Ben's article on UX writing in video games

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is out! Use PODCAST20 to get 20% off.

👉 Check out the Content Design Salary Survey

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is available for preorder. Order and get 25% off, plus 30% off another course or workshop.

👉 Get 25% off all courses and workshops at UX Content Collective

Navigate AI with clarity, not panic

There's a lot of noise about AI right now. It's going to replace us. It's going to revolutionize everything. It's the best thing since sliced bread or the beginning of the end.

In this episode, Andrew Stein, a content design leader and thoughtful skeptic, helps us cut through the noise. We talk about what AI actually means for content professionals, how to spot the hype, and what it looks like to respond with nuance instead of fear.

This isn't an AI doomscroll. It's a clear-eyed look at the choices ahead of us—and why content designers are uniquely positioned to ask the right questions.

What we talked about:

✅ Why skepticism is a healthy response to AI ✅ What content design still does better than AI (by a long shot) ✅ The pressure to "prove your value" in the age of automation ✅ How to have thoughtful conversations about AI at work ✅ Why embracing complexity is part of the job now ✅ The difference between curiosity and panic ✅ Where content strategy still shines no matter the tools ✅ Why being critical of tech isn't being anti-tech

Where to find Andrew:

📖 LinkedIn

👉 Our new course, Advanced UX Content for Product, is available for preorder. Order and get 25% off, plus 30% off another course or workshop.

👉 Get 25% off all courses and workshops at UX Content Collective

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

👉 ATTEND OUR MAJOR COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT ON MAY 6. REGISTER HERE. 👉 Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective with PODCAST20.

Staying hopeful, getting hired, and embracing the hustle

The job market for content designers hasn't been easy—and it's even harder when you're trying to break into the field for the first time. But if there's anyone who knows how to stay resilient through the process, it's Casey Webb.

In this episode, Casey shares her journey from marketing to UX content design—navigating layoffs, contracts, full-time roles, and everything in between. She talks candidly about building confidence, managing rejection, and why being coachable has been her secret weapon in landing roles at companies like Wells Fargo, Warner Bros. Discovery, eBay, and Indeed.

If you're job searching right now, or just feeling uncertain about your next move, this episode is for you.

What we talked about:

✅ How Casey transitioned from marketing into content design ✅ The ups and downs of job hunting over the last few years ✅ Why the expectations for content designers have changed ✅ The importance of business impact and strategic thinking in portfolios ✅ How to deal with contradictory interview feedback ✅ Why the "one yes" mindset can help you push through ✅ Tips for preparing for interviews and asking smart questions ✅ Why reaching out and building a network really works ✅ How to show up with humility and curiosity—on and off paper ✅ Staying grounded when the job search gets tough

Where to find Casey:

📖 LinkedIn

👉 ATTEND OUR MAJOR COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT ON MAY 6. REGISTER HERE. 👉 Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective with PODCAST20.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! 👉 Get 25% off courses and workshops through April 6, 2025 at UX Content Collective.

👉 Check out Victor's Substack, Footbridge

👉 Victor's piece on content design that sparked this conversation

Rethinking influence, resentment, and the future of content design

It's easy (and often correct) to blame external factors for why content design doesn't get the respect it deserves. But what if some of our biggest challenges are ones we've created ourselves?

In this episode, Victor Beigelman, a longtime content designer at Meta, joins us for a candid conversation about how content designers might be getting in their own way. From clinging too tightly to writing as a core identity to unintentionally acting like the "language police," Victor lays out a case for humility, adaptability, and product thinking as paths forward.

If you've ever felt stuck in your content career, questioned your influence, or wondered what's next for the discipline - this one's for you.

What we talked about:

✅ How acting like the "language police" hurts your credibility ✅ Why content design isn't always seen as essential and how to change that ✅ What it means to be a "full-stack content designer" ✅ How to work more strategically with product and design partners ✅ Why style guide debates don't move the needle ✅ How to build influence through collaboration not control ✅ Where content designers can lead in AI, AR/VR, and new interfaces ✅ The role of humility in building long-term impact

Where to find Tom:

📖 LinkedIn 📖 Substack – Footbridge

Enjoying the podcast?

👉 Leave a review and share this episode with your network!

👉 Get 25% off courses and workshops through April 6, 2025 at UX Content Collective.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! 👉 Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective. Just use the code PODCAST20 at checkout.

👉 Check out "Articulating Design Decisions"

Mastering the art of defending your designs

As a content designer, you've probably been asked, "Why did you use that word?" or "Why does this need to change?" Defending design decisions can be tough. Especially when feedback comes from stakeholders who might not fully understand content strategy.

In this episode, Tom Greever, author of "Articulating Design Decisions", shares his framework for explaining and defending design choices with confidence. We talk about how to avoid common pitfalls, navigate stakeholder relationships, and build influence through persuasion, not confrontation.

If you've ever struggled with defending your work or felt sidelined in design discussions, this episode will give you the tools to communicate your decisions clearly and build credibility.

What we talked about:

✅ Why content designers struggle with defending decisions more than visual designers ✅ How to explain design choices without getting defensive ✅ How to anticipate stakeholder objections and respond effectively ✅ The role of confidence, persuasion, and relationship-building in design ✅ How to handle feedback that feels personal (without losing confidence) ✅ How to influence without authority and earn a place in strategic conversations ✅ Why writing things down is the best way to clarify your own thinking

Where to find Tom:

📖 LinkedIn 📖 Website 📖 Book: "Articulating Design Decisions"

Enjoying the podcast?

👉 Leave a review and share this episode with your network!

Get 20% off UX Content Collective courses with code PODCAST20.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective. Just use the code PODCAST20 at checkout. The rise of UX writing in India

UX writing is still a young discipline in India, but it's growing—fast. In this episode, Sidika Sehgal shares what's happening on the ground: the demand for UX writers, why hiring is so challenging, and how localization is reshaping product experiences in one of the world's most diverse markets.

Sidika, a content designer at Rubrik, has seen the industry evolve over the past few years. She explains why tech investment in India is booming, what's still holding UX writing back, and why the lack of senior UX writers is creating an uphill battle for many in the field.

From the challenges of hiring UX writers in India to the unique role language and localization play in product design, this conversation dives deep into the realities of being a UX writer in an emerging market.

What we talked about:

✅ The rise of UX writing in India and why the field is growing fast ✅ How India's tech industry is shifting from outsourcing to full-scale product teams ✅ The biggest challenges for hiring UX writers in India ✅ Why UX writing salaries are finally catching up to product design salaries ✅ The role of localization—why Indian products often use a mix of English + regional languages ✅ The unique UX challenges in India, from smartphone adoption to non-intuitive UI patterns ✅ How UX writers in India are figuring things out without senior mentors ✅ The lack of specialization—why India doesn't yet have growth writers, conversation designers, or accessibility specialists ✅ Why companies need to hire for potential, not just experience ✅ The future of UX writing in India—what's needed for it to grow

Where to find Sidika:

📖 Sidika's article on UX Writing in India 📖 Sidika on LinkedIn 📖 UX Content Collective – Courses & Workshops

Enjoying the podcast?

👉 Leave a review and share this episode with your network!

Get 20% off UX Content Collective courses with code PODCAST20.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective. Just use the code PODCAST20 at checkout. From layoff to leadership: How Cara Lam rebuilt her career

Getting laid off is tough—but for content designers on work visas, it can feel like everything is on the line. When Cara Lam lost her job at Instagram during the wave of tech layoffs, she had just 60 days to figure out her next move or leave the country.

What followed was a relentless job search, rejections, and a journey of self-discovery. In this episode, Cara shares how she bounced back, the lessons she learned from her time at Meta, Venmo, NBC Universal, and Silicon Valley Bank, and why content designers need to embrace strategy, research, and resilience to stand out in today's job market.

If you've ever struggled with layoffs, job hunting, or making your content career more sustainable, this conversation is packed with real talk, tactical advice, and industry insights you won't want to miss.

What we talked about:

✅ How Cara moved across Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and the US—and stumbled into content design ✅ What it's really like working at Instagram/Meta as a content designer ✅ The hackathon project that could have changed Instagram Stories forever ✅ How financial UX writing is different from other industries—and why it matters ✅ What it feels like to get laid off at a big tech company ✅ Job hunting after a layoff—how to survive endless rejections ✅ The power of referrals, LinkedIn outreach, and strategic networking ✅ How contract work helped Cara get back into the industry ✅ Interviewing like a pro—portfolio tips that helped her land a job ✅ Why every content designer should think like a business strategist

Notable quotes:

💬 "Your job can be taken away, but your skills and passion can't." — Cara Lam 💬 "If you want to get hired, show that you understand how content affects business outcomes." — Cara Lam

Where to find Cara:

🔗 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram: @thecaraadventures

Enjoying the podcast?

👉 Leave a review and share this episode with your network!

Get 20% off UX Content Collective courses with code PODCAST20.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!

Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective. Just use the code PODCAST20.

Burnout isn't just a buzzword—it's a reality for many of us working in UX and tech. The long hours, the shifting priorities, the constant pressure to prove our value… it all adds up. And if you're not careful, it can take a serious toll.

Yvonne Xiao has been there. She's worked at companies like Microsoft and Uber, navigating the highs and lows of content design in fast-paced environments. But instead of letting burnout define her career, she's figured out how to manage it—by setting boundaries, redefining success, and embracing a more sustainable approach to work.

In this episode, we talk about how to recognize burnout before it's too late, the mistakes we all make when trying to "push through," and why setting boundaries isn't just about saying no—it's about knowing your worth.

If you've ever felt drained by your work or wondered how to make content design (or any job in tech) actually sustainable, this one's for you.

What we talked about:

• How Yvonne transitioned from film school to content design
• The early signs of burnout and how to recognize them in yourself
• The biggest mistakes content designers make when trying to manage burnout
• Why setting boundaries is hard—but necessary—for long-term career success
• How imposter syndrome fuels burnout (and how to reframe it)
• The importance of community, mentorship, and knowing you're not alone
• How to build a career in UX without letting it consume your identity

Notable Quotes:

"Your self-worth isn't tied to your job. You're so much more than the work you do." "The cringe factor is real, but you just have to post it. Nobody's going to remember it tomorrow." "Burnout doesn't happen overnight. It's layers of ignoring your own needs until it's too late."

Where to Find Dave:

• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Instagram
• TikTok