With so many AI tools flying around, it’s easy for creative teams to feel overwhelmed. Which tools actually matter? And more importantly, what stays uniquely human in design leadership as technology evolves?
In this episode of Design Leadership in the Boardroom,Ekaterina sits down with Cal Thompson, VP Design at Headspace and curator of Future London Academy’s Product Design Strategy course. Cal shares how AI is changing the strategic power of design (not replacing it), where these tools genuinely help guiding roadmaps, measuring product signals, prototyping visions, and where they don’t belong at all, especially when it comes to anchoring human stories.
Joining as a special guest, Rachel Arredondo , Senior Product Designer at Headspace, offers a practical, grounded view of AI as a thought collaborator. She shows how she uses Claude to expand her reach without outsourcing judgment, and why designers must shape tools just as much as tools shape us.
Expect a conversation rooted in empathy, culture, and creative responsibility, plus a clear, usable framework for deciding where AI fits in your design process.
What you’ll learn
Who this episode is for
Design Leaders · Product Designers · Head of Design · Head of UX / UX Director · Product Design Lead · UX Design Lead / Design Lead · Design Managers & Senior ICs navigating AI adoption · Solo/In-house designers · Creatives and cross-functional partners (PMs, researchers, engineers) shaping AI-enabled products
With so many AI tools flying around, it feels overwhelming for any creative team to choose the ones that will make a difference.
This is why last week, we decided to have a conversation with Charles Migos, Chief Product Officer, Founder of Intangible.ai, Design Leaders faculty member and one of the most exciting voices in design today. He is a design executive who has spent 30 years building tools for creatives, working alongside the industry’s brightest minds like Steve Jobs and in companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Unity.
What we got is a powerful conversation with Charles about how designers play an important role in the age of AI, from problem-solving and aligning teams to improving collaboration.
Timecodes:00:00 Introduction to design and AI with Charles Moberly (ex Apple, Microsoft, Unity)03:04 How the AI shift compares to the internet, Photoshop, and touchscreens06:12 The fundamentals of design that stay the same in the AI era08:23 How to choose AI tools for designers without feeling overwhelmed14:07 How to test and adopt AI tools in a design team16:36 Why creativity still works best as a team sport19:49 What design leaders should focus on in the AI era25:51 Balancing design and engineering cultures at scale32:20 Building Intangible AI and rethinking generative 3D workflows38:46 Copyright, IP, and ethical risks in generative AI45:08 Trust, privacy, and data choices when using AI tools45:26 A realistic look at the future of AI for creatives46:42 How designers can actively shape the future with AI50:19 New opportunities for designers using AI tools well54:09 Practical Figma Make tips for faster high fidelity prototyping01:02:04 Gender bias in AI and what design leaders can do01:22:22 Empathy and pragmatism as core design leadership skills54:09 Practical Figma Make tips Prototyping faster in high fidelity01:02:04 Gender bias in AI How design leaders respond01:22:22 Empathy and pragmatism in design leadership
What does it really take to protect creativity inside large organisations, and why do some CEOs champion design while others struggle to?
In this episode of Design Leadership in the Boardroom, Jim Prior, former Global CEO at WPP and Chair at Design Bridge & Partners, Superunion shares 25 years of experience leading some of the world’s most influential creative companies.
Hosted by Future London Academy, this warm, honest conversation explores how creativity drives business performance, and what every designer should know to influence decision-makers at the highest level.
🎙️ About the guest
Jim Prior is a global brand leader and creative business strategist who has spent over two decades as CEO of The Partners, Superunion and Design Bridge & Partners (WPP). He has advised executive boards worldwide on brand transformation, creativity in leadership, and building future-ready organisations.
🟡 If you want to become a better design leader, learn more about our Executive Programme for Design Leaders: https://fla.wiki/3LNPYCM
💡 You’ll learn:
► How CEOs think about creativity and business value
► How to pitch creative ideas to leadership teams
► How agencies can help clients sell creativity internally
► Leadership habits, decision-making frameworks & lessons from a CEO
► How AI and automation change the creative landscape — and what designers should do now
⏱ Chapters
00:00 Welcome – Ekaterina & Jim Prior
02:36 How CEOs value creativity and design
07:00 Why big companies struggle with innovation
10:22 How to pitch creative ideas to CEOs and boards
14:40 Selling creativity in the boardroom – tips from a CEO
19:42 Creativity in leadership teams vs the boardroom
22:07 How agencies help clients sell ideas internally
26:25 What makes a creative agency truly valuable
28:30 From knowledge economy → creative economy
31:29 Inside the CEO mindset – decision making
36:32 Making smart decisions with imperfect data
43:25 Time management for creative leaders
47:45 Why CEOs prefer talking over email
51:52 Leading through hard times & crises
55:30 Reconnecting with your company vision
57:00 The evolving role of design in leadership
1:03:00 Tech hype vs real change for design leaders
1:07:00 AI & creativity – how designers can adapt
1:12:30 Running creative workshops with leaders
1:17:00 Balancing creativity and business
1:21:00 If Jim Prior could change one thing in the world
Ideal for:
Design leaders • Creative directors • Senior designers • Strategists • CEOs who value design • Anyone aiming to grow their influence in business and boardrooms.
🟡 If you want to become a better design leader, learn more about our Executive Programme for Design Leaders: https://fla.wiki/3LNPYCM
In the second episode of Design Leadership in the Boardroom, we’re joined by Christophe Egret — visionary architect, artist, and co-founder of Studio Egret West, to explore how creativity, spirituality, and leadership come together to shape cities and the people who build them.
🎙 Hosted by Future London Academy, this episode dives into architecture with soul, exploring what it means to build meaningful spaces, lead with empathy, and balance creative vision with commercial success.
💡 What you’ll learn:
► How to keep creativity alive while running a thriving design business
► Ways to lead teams with empathy, purpose, and sou, not just strategy
► Why sketching, storytelling, and intuition still matter in the age of AI
► How to design spaces (and studio cultures) that connect people and purpose
✨ A conversation about imagination, courage, and what it means to build a better world, one soulful design at a time.
About Christoph Egret:
Christoph is one of the UK’s most respected architects and urban thinkers. As co-founder of Studio Egret West, he has helped redefine placemaking through landmark projects such as Mayfield Park in Manchester, Clapham Library, and the Earl’s Court Masterplan. Known for blending architecture, landscape, and urban design into a seamless practice, Christoph brings a deep sense of spirituality and purpose to his work. Today, through his new platform Soul in the City, he explores how the emotional and spiritual dimensions of urban life can inspire more connected, human-centered cities.
Join us for the first episode of our Design Leadership in the Boardroom series, where we speak with executive leaders across architecture, product, AI, branding and psychology to unpack the strategies, practices and frameworks that help them succeed at the highest level.This time we’re joined by neurodiversity coach Emma Wee to learn how to create environments where neurodivergent talent thrives, and how to lead authentically with your own neurodivergent identity.From ADHD and Autism to Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, Emma shares practical, humane tactics leaders can use today to help every brain do its best work.What you’ll learn how to:► Navigate ADHD at work► Leverage dyslexia strengths► Dismantle autism myths► Build inclusive teams► Implement meeting hygiene► Handle tricky moments
Learn about our Design Leaders programme: https://fla.wiki/43brqJM
Timecodes:00:00:00 – Intro & why neurodiversity matters in creative leadership00:01:06 – Meet Emma Wee, Neurodiversity Coach00:03:50 – Emma’s journey: from theatre design to Neurodiversity coaching00:06:22 – Masking explained (code-switching, cost, and relief in naming it)00:16:19 – ADHD 101: attention selection, hyperfocus arcs, RSD, boom-and-bust00:21:28 – Finishing & focus: define “done,” emotional tags, pick tasks by brain-state00:31:25 – Dyslexia strengths & tools: pattern spotting, dictation, read-aloud, color contrast00:40:32 – Autism realities: sensory seesaw, clarity over small talk, change vs. variables00:45:11 – Leading Neurodiverse teams: briefs, check-ins, inclusive defaults, “Manual of Me”01:00:12 – Disclosure & safety: when to share (or not), alternatives to get support01:06:11 – Rapid-fire coaching: brainstorms, missed deadlines, interruptions, feedback clashes01:15:40 – Closing & big question: one change Emma would make in the worldEmma Wee — Neurodiversity Coach working with organisations from Universal Music Group to the UK FCDO, EY and PwC, helping teams adapt working practices for neurodivergent professionals. Emma is faculty member at Executive programme for Design Leaders.
Join us for the fifth episode of our Chief Design Officer Series, where we talk to Chief Design Officers from the most forward-thinking companies. This time, we are joined by Sean Carney, former CDO of Philips. At Philips, Sean led a team of 700+ designers and helped generate over $800 million in sales pull-through.Sean shared a powerful case study of how design contributed directly to business transformation and aided a positive change in the world.Watch to learn how to:- Drive real business impact with design- Calculate and communicate ROI on design- Balance creativity with business strategy at the C-level- Build a design team that influences revenue and strategy00:00 — Welcome to the CDO Series: Why Design Belongs in the Boardroom00:49 — Meet Sean Carney: Former Chief Design Officer at Philips02:55 — Sean’s Unplanned Path to Becoming a Chief Design Officer04:42 — From Solo Creator to Strategic Leader: The Power of Diverse Teams07:43 — Why Today’s User Research Isn’t Enough: Designing for the Future10:24 — Philips' Visionary Design Approach13:24 — 📍 Case Study: How Philips Built the NICU of the Future20:05 — 📍 Case Study: Embedding Strategic Design into Business Strategy at Philips35:00 — Tracking the ROI of Design: From Vision to Measurable Business Impact43:11 — Using Real-Time Data and Predictive Modelling in Hospital Design44:35 — Designing Capabilities for the Future: Strategic Foresight in Action45:01 — 📍 Case Study: Smart Toothbrushes and the Rise of Connected Health48:00 — How Philips Prioritised Innovation Opportunities Across 30+ Units48:48 — Turning Design Ideas into Strategic Investments with Cross-Functional Teams53:26 — 📍 Case Study: The Vacuum That Failed — and What It Taught the Business55:34 — What It Takes to Design in Healthcare: Compliance, Innovation & Risk55:53 — Building the Case for Prototypes: Value Beyond the Aesthetic01:01:40 — Bridging Creative Vision and P&L: Design at the Executive Table01:03:55 — How Design Drove Business Transformation at Philips01:10:31 — Empathy Across Departments: The Secret to Influencing at C-Level01:11:18 — Budgeting for Innovation: Where to Find (and Protect) Funds01:14:46 — The Future of Design Leadership: From Systems to Strategy01:21:48 — Design for Good: Applying Creative Leadership to Global Impact01:23:28 — Final Reflections: Building a More Joyful, Impactful World with Design
Learn about our Design Leaders programme: https://fla.wiki/4kDuFPT
#ChiefDesignOfficer #DesignLeadership #ROIonDesign
Learn about our Design Leaders programme 👉 https://fla.wiki/4dm4cVcPatou Nuytemans, CEO EMEA of Ogilvy, one of the world's most iconic creative agencies. Discover how she went from being an "unlikely candidate" from Belgium and rose through the ranks by embracing diverse roles across three continents, pioneering digital transformation, and turning around challenging regions.In this interview, Patou shares her unexpected journey to becoming a CEO, her leadership philosophy, how she drives creative excellence across a global organisation. and how to talk your CEO to justify investment in design. 00:00 – Welcome Patou Nuytemans03:17 – The brave career moves that turned her into a leader 07:53 – Why Patou never chased titles—and what she chased instead 12:31 – “If you don’t communicate your wins, they don’t exist” 18:06 – How creatives should talk to their CEO (and be taken seriously) 22:41 – The structure that keeps 50+ teams aligned (you need this) 30:20 – What actually builds team culture (it’s not what you think) 35:44 – The 5 business metrics Ogilvy tracks 42:54 – “Creativity is a shortcut to big business impact—here’s how to prove it” 50:03 – Want a bigger budget? Say this to your CEO 55:29 – Why junior talent is more valuable than ever (even with AI) 57:49 – “Growth is my religion”: Patou’s personal philosophy on success 1:00:50 – Her wish for the world? More curiosity, more connection Learn about our Design Leaders programme 👉 https://fla.wiki/4dm4cVc#CreativeLeadership #OgilvyCEO #BusinessOfCreativity #DesignLeadership #GlobalTeams #BorderlessCreativity #FutureLondonAcademy #PatouThains #CreativeAgency #LeadershipJourney #WomenInLeadership #AIAndCreativity #TeamCulture #CommunicationSkills #CreativeROI #BrandDifferentiation #ContinuousLearning #GlobalExperience #AwardRecognition #InternationalBusiness
Don Norman, the legendary designer who coined the term "User Experience" and served as Apple's VP, shares insights from his remarkable career. At 89, he reveals why most designers fail to reach the C-suite, how AI will reshape design (not replace it), and his mission to revolutionise design education.
Grab a cup of tea and settle in, this conversation might change everything you do from now on.
For more leadership insights check our Design Leaders Programme.
Learn more here👉 https://fla.wiki/4hKKZxs
#DonNorman #Design #UserExperience #Innovation #FutureLondonAcademy
Janaki Kumar is Chief Design Officer at JPMorgan Chase & Co., a thought leader, innovator, and author who was named a Women of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal in 2016. Janaki is a proven leader in building, coaching and inspiring high performance design teams, leveraging design-thinking, customer empathy, and co-innovation. She is the co-author of Gamification at Work – Designing Engaging Business Software. She was a co-instructor at Stanford’s Graduate School Business LEAD course and inventor on over 20 patents. During our interview, she shared how she became CDO, how to prove your value to C-suite executives and what skills to develop to become CDO.
For more leadership insights check our Design Leaders Programme. Learn more 👉 https://fla.wiki/3EaHsKf #leadership #cdo #mba #designleadership#leadership #cdo #mba #designleadership
Jeri Ellsworth is an inventor, entrepreneur and founder of Tilt Five, the world’s first augmented reality gaming system. During our interview, she shared where her passion brought her to an amazing career plot twists: from building race cars and running computer stores to creating aerospace navigation systems and leading hardware innovation at Valve Corporation. When her first AR startup failed, an unexpected call from Atari's founder helped her bounce back to create Tilt5, launching the largest AR Kickstarter in history.
Check out our courses: https://fla.wiki/4giVnw5
Chief Design Officer Series: Episode 2
Mark Kawano, Chief Design Officer at Zoom, shared his 25+ years of experience in companies like Apple, Slack, and Adobe and the importance of influencing Design beyond the design organisation.
Join us for the third episode of our Chief Design Officer Series, where we talk to Chief Design Officers from the most forward-thinking companies.
Chief Design Officer Series: Episode 2
Travis Isaacs, Chief Design Officer at Webex Collaboration at Cisco, shared his perspective on the unique superpowers designers can bring to the boardroom and the essential skills needed for success in executive roles.
Join us for the second episode of our Chief Design Officer Series, where we talk to Chief Design Officers from the most forward-thinking companies. https://fla.wiki/3ALA1rx
Chief Design Officer Series: Episode 1
Claudia Abt, Chief Design Officer at citizenM hotels oversees design and space planning for new hotel developments. She shares her perspective on being a designer at the C-level, what she had to learn when she became a Chief Design Officer and what value she brings to the business through design. Join Future London Academy for the first episode of Chief Design Officer Series, where we talk to Chief Design Officers of the most forward-thinking businesses. https://fla.wiki/4fbtJ3f
In our new interview, Stefan Sagmeister legendary designer, typographer and co-founder of Sagmeister & Walsh shares thoughts on the evolution of his career, design agencies and creative process. Watch the full interview to hear more about: 👉 Why scaling is not the best way 👉 What is the future of creative industry 👉 How to create purpose-driven work This episode is a must-watch for creative leaders and changemakers seeking inspiration and practical wisdom from one of the industry's greats. 00:00 Stefan Sagmeister: A Design Legend 00:44 Balance Productivity and Creativity 02:45 The Shift from Commercial to Self-Initiated Projects 03:38 Exploring Long-Term Perspectives in Design 06:14 How to work with clients? 12:25 The Evolution of Stefan's Design Career 18:19 Advice for Designers 22:04 Reflections on Running a Design Company 26:16 The Future of the Design Industry and Final Thoughts For more leadership insights check our Design Leaders Programme. Learn more and Apply 👉 https://bit.ly/3wXJox1 #leadership #design #designinspiration #designleadership
In this engaging conversation, Timothy Goodman shares his journey from working with top brands like Apple, Nike, Google, Samsung, MoMa, Netflix, YSL, Time, The New Yorker to his passion for public art, personal expression, and tackling societal issues through his work. Learn about his creative process, the balance between commercial and personal projects, and the challenges and risks he has faced along the way. During our interview Timothy shared how to balance commercial and passion work, how he hires team, why he never was a freelancer and why it is important to create artworks for people. Watch the full interview to find out: 👉 How to balance passion and commercial projects 👉 How to create art and design that make impact 👉 How to find the right people for projects 👉 Timothy's unique philosophy behind creating his art
TIME CODES 00:00 Who is Timothy Goodman? 01:05 Timothy Goodman on self-Expression 02:21 Evolution of Timothy's Creative Process 03:54 Creative career challenges 06:52 Balancing Personal and Commercial Work 08:36 Creative Team Dynamics and Finding the Right Fit 18:19 Taking Risks and Personal Projects 25:36 Current Work Philosophy 35:08 Final Thoughts For more leadership insights check our Design Leaders Programme. Learn more and Apply 👉 https://bit.ly/3wXJox1 #designleadership #leadership
Join us in a conversation with Veronica Fuerte, Creative Directress and Founder of Hey Studio, a Barcelona-based creative agency known for its colourful, playful geometric designs. Hey Studio worked with many clients worldwide, including Google and Apple. During our interview, Veronica shared insights from her 16-year leadership journey why it's important to hire a coach, keep your team small, and how to succeed by working in your own unique style and build confidence as a leader. 💎 00:00 Meet Veronica Fuerte, Founder oh Hey Studio 01:26 Veronica's Early Career Journey and Agency Vision 03:50 Expanding Hey Studio: Side Projects and Merch Store 06:45 Managing Growth and Team Dynamics 11:38 Why to hire a coach? 21:31 Women at Work: Insights and Challenges 23:28 Authenticity and Personal Style 29:40 Final Thoughts #designinspiration #leadership #design
In this engaging conversation, Talia Cotton shares her journey from working at Pentagram to starting her design studio — Cotton Design. She talks about the challenges of the first year of being an agency founder, the main leadership lessons she learned and insights on building and managing a team. Watch the full interview to find out: 👉 Three things you must do when starting an agency 👉 How and who to hire during the first year 👉 How to build your network and find new clients 👉 What Talia will never ever do with her team 👉 Where she goes for inspiration 00:00 Hello Hello Hello 01:16 Leaving Pentagram and starting a design studio 03:30 What you need to do before starting an agency 05:58 Winning creative work or how to find clients as a creative agency founder 08:06 How to pitch yourself in the creative industry 09:25 Hiring and Building a Team 12:23 Teaching and how it helps to hire design talent 13:10 How to hire talent during the first year 15:30 Two key lessons on hiring from Michael Bierut, partner at Pentagram 17:35 Inside look into how Pentagram works 22:53 The most important thing in the first year of running an agency 25:53 What you need to consider before you take a project 27:04 Things you need to do to get more clients 28:45 Working from Office VS Remote team 29:15 Where to look for inspiration when you are an agency founder 33:49 If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? For more leadership insights check our Design Leaders Programme. Learn more and Apply 👉 https://bit.ly/3wXJox1
This month we had an inspiring conversation with Martin Raymond, Co-Founder of Future Laboratory. He shared his insights into the future and how we can prepare for what awaits us in the coming years.
We discussed the skills leaders will need in the future, the role of impact metrics in business and how creatives can succeed in the boardroom.
How do you succeed as a start-up? How do you grow your agency from 20 to 100 people? How can you carve your niche in the market?
In our last episode of Agency Growth Stories, Emily Heyward, co-founder of Red Antler – the leading creative agency for startups and new ventures, including Hinge, Prose and AllTrails – shares her insights on these questions and more.
Emily was named among the Most Important Entrepreneurs of the Decade, a Top Female Founder and one of the Most Powerful Women of 2019 by Inc. Magazine and Entrepreneur Magazine.🔥
Here is what we covered in our chat with this creative legend:
00:00:00 - Intro: Who is Emily Heyward?
00:01:15 - Rapid Fire Questions
00:03:30 - Red Antler: How It All Started
00:14:25 - Defining Your Clients & Revenue as a Start-Up
00:18:53 - Growing Beyond 2 People: InHouse vs. Freelance
00:21:50 - Bringing In Clients in the Early Days
00:26:30 - Hiring & Establishing and Effective Team Structure
00:35:34 - Pricing Projects as an Agency
00:40:15 - What You Need to Change as a Leader to Grow
00:44: 22 - Where is Red Antler now?
00:46:05 - The Future of Small & Mid Agencies
00:47:15 - Opportunities in the Current Market
00:50:27 - Transparency within the Agency
00:52:15 - What Keeps You Going as a Founder?
00:56:24 - How a Project-Based Business Works: Hiring vs. Freelancing
00:59:03 - Helping Clients Understand the Importance of Brand
01:04:28 - Marketing and Community as Part of Your Brand Strategy
01:08:08 - AI in the Creative Industry: Uses and Shortcomings
01:12:00 - Key Things to Define for a Client’s Strategy
01:14:02 - How Do You Keep Key People Without Giving Equity Away?
01:17:50 - Can You Growth Without Expanding Your Services?
01:20:10 - Final Thoughts
For more leadership insights check our Design Leaders Programme: https://fla.wiki/3TBeTLq
Get more inspiration from us on other channels:
➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurelondonacademy
➤ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLondonAcademy
➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/future-london-academy/
What is the key to rapid growth? When is it time to expand your team? How should you approach a global expansion?
In this episode of Agency Growth Stories, Natalie Graeme, Co-Founder of Uncommon – Europe’s fastest-growing start-up in advertising history, answers these questions and more, as she shares her experience of growing Uncommon from 0 to over 200 employees, working with global brand partners – including ITV, WWF, British Airways and SiriusXM – and creating a memorable brand identity through ingenious PR strategies.
Here is what we covered:
00:00:00 - Intro: Who is Natalie Graeme?
00:01:11 - Rapid Fire Question
00:06:11 - Early Days: The Formative Years of Uncommon
00:09:55 - Uncommon’s Studio Model
00:14:35 - Uncommon’s Rapid Growth & Secret to Success
00:23:40 - Uncommon’s Global Expansion &The Strategy Behind It
00:32:23 - Growing Beyond 30 People: When to Hire and How to Structure Your Team
00:44:45 - From 70 to 240 People and How Your Role as a Founder Changes
Questions from the Audience:
00:52:20 - What are the Most Common Mistakes of Agency Start-ups in The Early Days?
00:53:50 - How do you Control Quality and Production during Growth in a Joint Venture?
00:54:53 - How do you Manage Client-Side Delays and Keep Things Running?
00:56:20 - How do you Balance Hiring Full-Time Vs. Freelance?
00:58:39 - How did you Secure Funds at the Start?
01:01:53 - How do you Select Clients?
01:03:33 - Do you work with Retainers or on a One-off Project Basis?
01:04:29 - What was Uncommon’s PR Strategy at the Beginning?
01:05:34 - What is the difference between your Studio Model and an Advertising Agency?
01:08:28 - How do you Get New Clients without Word of Mouth?
01:12:13 - How Important is the Agency’s Brand?
Final Advice
01:15:08 - What Can You Do to Look After Yourself as a Founder?
01:16:50 - If You Could Change One Thing in the World, What Would It Be?
For more leadership insights check our Design Leaders Programme: https://fla.wiki/435hkc4
Get more inspiration from us on other channels:
➤ https://www.instagram.com/futurelondonacademy
➤ https://twitter.com/FLondonAcademy
➤ https://www.linkedin.com/school/future-london-academy/