d.MBA
125 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratingsBusiness confidence for designers.
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Episodes
105- Patagonia - Business Design Teardown
April 16, 2024 09:05 - 1 hour - 73.7 MBReady for a business adventure? For our latest Teardown, we're exploring the terrain of a brand that has revolutionized business and ethical standards. Yes, we're unearthing the tale of Patagonia, a brand that's more than just outdoor apparel. It's a testament to sustainability, innovation, and an unwavering love for the great outdoors. Patagonia is an icon of ethical business and thoughtful design. It's a brand that has masterfully woven the threads of environmental activism with...
104- Pantone - Business Design Teardown
March 19, 2024 15:20 - 1 hour - 75.8 MBPrepare to immerse yourself in a tale of innovation and color that revolutionized design and branding. Our latest Business Design Teardown paints the vibrant journey of Pantone, the brand that turned the art of color consistency into a global industry. Join us as we explore the canvas of challenges and innovations Pantone navigated to become the global authority on color. We'll brush up on how Pantone didn't just stop at solving a problem; they became trendsetters, influencing desi...
d.MBA Early Applications
February 26, 2024 10:27 - 2 minutes - 2.01 MBEarly applications for the next d.MBA, starting on April 8th, are now open. www.d.mba/apply
103- Liquid Death - Business Design Teardown
February 20, 2024 15:20 - 1 hour - 106 MBGet ready to crack open a can of intrigue with our latest Business Design Teardown, where we're diving headfirst into the chilling waters of Liquid Death's business and creativity genius. We're peeling back the heavy-metal label to reveal the secrets behind their killer branding that's taken the beverage industry by storm. From the mountainous origins of their water to the razor-sharp humor of their marketing campaigns, we'll explore how Liquid Death has managed to make hydration f...
102- ON - Business Design Teardown
January 31, 2024 16:10 - 1 hour - 108 MBTap, tap... is this thing ON? Great, because we've got an exciting new Teardown episode for you! In this latest podcast installment we're taking you behind the scenes of ON, the Swiss brand racing to the forefront of the athletic footwear industry. With its unique CloudTec technology and striking sneaker silhouettes, ON is a brand taking on the big players using design as a critical differentiator. From its humble beginnings to its rise as a global contender, we'll explore how thi...
101- LEGO - Business Design Teardown
January 17, 2024 15:20 - 1 hour - 77.9 MBPrepare to embark on an exciting journey about the magic of building – both in terms of creative design and prosperous business strategy. We're about to unravel the colorful story of LEGO, where imagination and innovation interlock seamlessly to create an empire that's been stacking up success, one brick at a time! It's a brand where business philosophy and product design are as interconnected as the bricks it's so famous for. So join Alen, Franz, and Tom as they explore how this ...
100- Dan Mall on Design Systems, Design as a Subscription, and Pricing Design
December 07, 2023 08:20 - 52 minutes - 44.2 MBIn a world where organizations constantly strive for efficiency and innovation, Design Systems have emerged as essential tools. They are pivotal in delivering greater value to users while simultaneously enhancing team productivity and satisfaction. Yet, these systems often stumble. Many companies face challenges in implementing and maintaining effective Design Systems. In our latest episode, Alen and Tom delve into these challenges with Dan Mall, a leading authority on Design Syst...
99- Dyson - Business Design Teardown
November 16, 2023 14:14 - 2 hours - 102 MBHave you ever marveled at a Dyson product's seamless integration of form and function? Or how their pioneering approach to mundane appliances has shaped an entire market? Behind each groundbreaking product, there's a world of calculated business, design, and engineering decisions. Dyson has consistently raised the bar, from revolutionary bagless vacuum cleaners to the elegant engineering of their air purifiers. But what propels a company from domestic dust busters to global desig...
98- Birkenstock - Business Design Teardown
November 02, 2023 15:31 - 2 hours - 86.5 MBBirkenstock… A symbol of practical beauty, or just an ugly shoe you wouldn't dream of slipping on? Few footwear items split opinion like this classic German brand's iconic sandals. Behind the love-it-or-hate-it reputation is a business that's weathered the tides of fashion for nearly 250 years. And behind its design lies a compelling narrative of commitment to craft, sustainability, and business innovation. In this latest episode, Alen, Franz, and Tom are tearing down this enduri...
97- Marvel - Business Design Teardown
October 19, 2023 06:27 - 1 hour - 80 MBMarvel Studios isn't just about capes, hammers, and infinity stones. It's an unparalleled tapestry of storytelling, business acumen, and creative brilliance. But how did a comic book company evolve into a cinematic juggernaut? In our latest Business Design Teardown, we delve deep into the very core of Marvel Studios' business strategy. Have you ever wondered why the narrative of this multi-billion dollar franchise is so intricately woven? Or how creative and character choices have...
96- Oatly - Business Design Teardown
October 04, 2023 06:27 - 1 hour - 87.1 MBFrom the academic corridors of Sweden to the bustling coffee shops and supermarket chillers of major cities worldwide; one company has seamlessly merged innovation with a global market strategy to dominate the plant-based beverage scene. That's right, in this latest Business Design Teardown, we’re diving deep into the world of Oatly. Join Alen, Franz, and Tom as they chart the journey of how this Swedish sensation not only pioneered the oat milk industry but also set new standards...
95- Muji - Business Design Teardown
September 14, 2023 06:27 - 1 hour - 84.5 MBBorn in Japan yet embraced globally, Muji challenges the consumerist tide with its 'no-brand' philosophy. From their iconic pens to the soft glow of their aroma diffusers, Muji has reshaped how we perceive functionality and design. In this episode, we'll explore the minimalist marvel that is Muji - its roots, its rise, and how it carves tranquillity in everyday life. Heralded as the epitome of simplicity, Muji isn't just about simple aesthetics; it's a masterclass in brand strategy...
94- Helvetica - Business Design Teardown
August 30, 2023 17:27 - 1 hour - 88.7 MBYou may not think about it often, but it's everywhere—on billboards, in your emails, on your favorite websites, and perhaps even your company's logo. Yes, we're talking about fonts and, more specifically, Helvetica. Our latest Business Design Teardown explores the iconic typeface used by businesses worldwide for over half a century. Created in 1957, this Swiss-born font has become one of the world's most used and recognized fonts. Today, we'll explore the intricate details that ...
93- Aesop - Business Design Teardown
August 17, 2023 14:25 - 1 hour - 83.6 MBAhh, the unmistakable scent of a new Business Teardown! This one has notes of brand elegance and a touch of sophisticated aesthetics… but does it have the sweet smell of business success? Excuse our indulgence in some beauty-based puns; this week, we're taking our first look at a skincare brand that has long been admired for its design, customer experience, and attention to detail - Aesop. With its unique amber bottles, stunningly designed stores, and a deep-rooted commitment t...
92- Eames chair - Business Design Teardown
August 03, 2023 11:47 - 2 hours - 95.7 MBWhen you think of truly iconic design, what comes to mind? In tech, perhaps it’s the iPhone. In typography, Helvetica claims legendary status. In the furniture world, one piece has a hold over designers like no other; the Eames Lounge Chair. If the name doesn't ring a bell, its form is instantly recognizable. From appearances in Frasier, Iron Man, Beyonce videos, and Bond films, the Eames silhouette has become a cultural icon, unchanged since its inception in 1956. The brain...
91- Tour de France - Business Design Teardown
July 17, 2023 06:53 - 1 hour - 79.8 MBThe Tour de France isn't just a test of physical endurance; it's a spectacle fueling a vast economic ecosystem. From the massive investments poured into team sponsorships to the bustling local economies along the race route, the Tour de France leaves no stone unturned when exploring potential income streams. In this Business Design Teardown, we'll examine the financial gears that keep the Tour de France rolling. We'll dive into the lucrative world of sponsorships, uncovering how c...
90- WeWork - Business Design Teardown
July 06, 2023 14:21 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBWhen is a real estate business not a real estate business? When it declares its mission to "elevate the world's consciousness", brands itself a tech company, and promises to blur the line between work and life through beautifully designed spaces. Yes, we're talking about WeWork in the latest Business Design Teardown. With its lofty promises to deliver not just a desk, but a dynamic, community-driven environment, WeWork swept the globe at an unprecedented speed. This meteoric ris...
89- Warby Parker - Business Design Teardown
June 15, 2023 08:32 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBHow do you know you’ve made an enormous impact in the world of business design? When you have a popular expression coined about you! Warby Parker set new standards for customer experience in the eyewear industry, and “The Warby Parker of…” has become shorthand to describe direct-to-consumer businesses that challenge traditional retail norms. The Warby Parker template is now commonplace in everything from luggage to mattresses, and from strollers to clothing. But how did they d...
88- Sonos - Business Design Teardown
June 01, 2023 13:19 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBCan you hear that? It’s the sweet sound of another business teardown, this time focused on a company that’s all about great listening experiences…. Sonos! From slick unboxing and setup to seamless connectivity, Sonos have designed a product experience that is the envy of the hardware world. But is it the envy of the business world, too? In this episode Alen, Franz and Tom take a deep dive into the strategy, brand, and financials behind one of the design world’s most admired bran...
87- Lululemon - Business Design Teardown
May 18, 2023 07:07 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBOne of the best ways to learn about business is to find a topic or product you love, and dive into the business side of it. Whether it’s your favourite footwear brand, sports team, hotel chain or streaming provider, we all have businesses we’re fascinated by, care about, or affiliate ourselves with. And few disciplines make these connections with their favourite brands like designers! So, in this new d.MBA podcast format, we’re tearing down some designer favourites. From fina...
86- The AI Business Race: Who might come out on top?
May 03, 2023 09:23 - 37 minutes - 30 MBAI has rapidly evolved from science-fiction fantasy into a tangible tool that is already impacting our lives and work. But it’s just the beginning… Not just for end users, but for the businesses hoping to emerge victorious from this new industrial age. But who will come out on top in this race? And what are the business categories they’re competing in? In this episode of the d.MBA podcast, Alen and Franz delve into the strategies and business models shaping the AI business lands...
85- The Power of Compounding: Building Wealth as a Designer (w Akshan Ish of Spotify)
April 27, 2023 13:27 - 54 minutes - 43.3 MBCurious how to make your money work for you as a designer or creative? Well, you've come to the right place! In this episode, Alen and his guest, Akshan Ish (a design manager at Spotify), have an insightful conversation about mastering the art of financial literacy. Join them as they cover topics like: Personal finance stories and lessons Investing in emerging markets Navigating financial systems across borders Alen and Akshan open up about their own journeys with money mana...
84- Negotiation and Business Design: Creating Value for All Parties Involved
April 20, 2023 08:45 - 28 minutes - 23.1 MBDoes the thought of negotiating make you break out in a cold sweat, fellow designer? Join Alen and our special guest Jo as they explore the ins and outs of negotiation in various contexts, from job offers to client negotiations. In this episode, Alen and Jo discuss: The power of empathy in understanding the other party's perspective and priorities Practical application of the framework using a job offer negotiation example Uncovering the intriguing similarities between negoti...
83- The Business Design Agony Uncles: Influencing Biz Strategy, Making Metrics Fun, Can I AI-proof my career?
April 12, 2023 08:08 - 43 minutes - 34.5 MBAre you a faced with a business-related question, but don’t know who to ask for help? Facing challenges at work as you build your business confidence, and need some expert advice? Well, the d.MBA’s very own Alen and Franz are here to help! Welcome to the d.MBA Mailbag, our new podcast format where Alen and Franz turn Agony Uncles as they tackle anonymous questions from the d.MBA community. In episode one our expert hosts offer sage advice on… How to influence business str...
82- Could AI make designers redundant? (w Franz Blach of Pinterest)
March 29, 2023 14:31 - 55 minutes - 44.3 MBSeen enough AI tool renderings of fantasy avatars, futuristic skyline designs, or unicorns playing tennis? Franz Blach certainly has. As tools like Chat GPT, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion continue to capture our imaginations and headlines, they’ve also prompted an existential crisis in our industry. Could AI make us redundant? Franz doesn’t think so. Strategic decisions still need our expertise, and the wicked problems AI can help us solve are orders of magnitude more ambitio...
81- To bundle or unbundle your product… That is the question!
March 21, 2023 05:07 - 34 minutes - 27.4 MBJim Barksdale, a former CEO of Netscape, once famously proclaimed there are “only two ways to make money in business: one is to bundle; the other is unbundle.” Bundling is the business of rolling up products or services into packages, usually at a lower cost than buying them individually. Think meal deals, all-inclusive holidays, and software suite subscriptions that throw in all manner of bonus products for “free”. Who can resist great deals like these? Well, sometimes bundli...
80- Who wants to be a…. Businessaire?
March 13, 2023 05:33 - 42 minutes - 33.8 MBFor our latest episode we put our new business school quiz to the test, with our unsuspecting producer Tom Prior in the hot-seat. When it comes to understanding business terminology and concepts, it can regularly feel like our knowledge is under the spotlight. What does that business terminology mean? Should I know what that stakeholder was referring to? I’ve heard that acronym before… what the hell is ROI? In these situations we might want to phone a friend or ask the audien...
79- Taking the fight to Figma
March 08, 2023 06:27 - 45 minutes - 36.5 MBSept 15th, 2022. The day Adobe announced its intention to acquire Figma for an eyewatering $20Bn was also a day of mourning for much of the design community. Our industry’s main tool was falling into the hands of a brand many have grown increasingly skeptical of. Sad times. But at a company retreat in rural Spain, the team at Penpot was rejoicing. Their nimble, open-source design tool is an alternative to the monopoly. An innovative upstart in the face of a seemingly greedy, t...
78- Pricing is UX
January 31, 2023 15:30 - 50 minutes - 40.3 MBDiscounting and Tesla are two words you never hear together. Elon Musk famously wrote in an email to Tesla staff that “There can never – and I mean never – be a discount on a new car coming out of the factory in pristine condition… The acid test is that if you cannot explain to any customer who paid full price why other another customer didn’t without being embarrassed, then it is not right.” So Tesla’s recent decision to deeply discount across its product range has many scratch...
77- How will AI affect designers?
December 14, 2022 09:23 - 49 minutes - 39.9 MBIn this episode of the d.MBA podcast, we explore the exciting and rapidly-evolving field of artificial intelligence and its potential impacts on the design community and the future of business. We discuss: The latest advances in AI technology and how it is transforming the way we design products, services, and experiences. We also delve into the potential risks and opportunities that AI presents for businesses and designers, and offer insights on how to navigate this rapidly-chang...
76- Are employee-owned companies the future of business?
December 07, 2022 12:59 - 1 hour - 50.3 MBHow can we best align the goals of employees and owners? It’s an age-old problem of a principal-agent relationship. But there is a promising trend that could really align incentives between employees and owners. It’s by making employees owners! We decided to invite two d.MBA alumni, Sandra Fernandez and Chris How to share how employee ownership works in their companies. We talked about: what even are employee-owned companies, what are the benefits and drawbacks for employees...
75- Opportunity costs, negotiating salary, and MVPs
November 15, 2022 05:32 - 25 minutes - 20.6 MBIn the latest Designer in Nature Talking Business, we are hosting Elisabeth Graf, a service designer, innovation coach, and facilitator. And a d.MBA alumna! Lilly shared how she got into design and learned about the importance of a business concept called opportunity costs. Along the way, we also discussed how she negotiated her salary and got a 50% raise only 3 months after being hired, and why her most hated business buzzword is MVP.
74- What are economic moats and why do they matter to designers?
October 13, 2022 04:30 - 22 minutes - 17.8 MBAccording to the Oxford dictionary, a moat is “a deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle, fort, or town, typically filled with water and intended as a defence against attack”. Ok, basically some kind of defense around the castle. So, how does this concept translate to business? And design work? Martyn Reding, chief design officer at Upzelo and former head of design at Virgin Atlantic, shared how he learned about economic moats and how he uses the concept in designing digital produ...
73- Will Adobe ruin Figma? And will Patagonia save the planet?
September 19, 2022 15:54 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBLet’s take a moment of silence. Adobe is acquiring Figma. Judging by Adobe’s previous acquisitions this is surely the end of Figma’s best days, right? But Adobe is promising to keep Figma independent! Should we believe Adobe? But let’s also celebrate. The founder of Patagonia is giving away his company to fight the climate crisis. He is setting a beautiful example of how companies can shift their main stakeholder from stockholders to the society and planet. But it also sets a dang...
72- Dirty business of carbon offsets
September 09, 2022 04:22 - 45 minutes - 36.1 MBMost of us have already tried to offset the carbon footprint of our consumption. Maybe you’ve paid to offset your flight, a parcel delivery, or even production of a product you bought. And it made you feel good, right? Well, this episode will make you feel a bit worse. Sorry. But if you are ready to take the red pill listen in and we’ll share: how governments try to force certain industries and companies into decreasing pollution, why do some companies voluntarily offset their c...
71- Why designing for users isn’t always the right approach
August 25, 2022 04:22 - 19 minutes - 15.2 MBWhen you hire a designer to help you on a project, you don't expect them to say: "What if we don't focus on users here?". Franz shared his story of working on a client project that benefitted from designing for suppliers, not customers. To make his point for focusing on suppliers he used a tool called a value chain. Tune in to Designers in Nature Talking Business, our new podcast format where designers (in nature) share their stories of how they learned or used their favorite b...
70- When people say money is free or expensive, what do they mean?
August 09, 2022 04:22 - 46 minutes - 37.4 MBRecently, you may have heard that money is getting more expensive. But how can the money be more expensive? Money is, well, just money. To clarify this business lingo, Alen and Franz break down the current business environment and share what sets the price of money. We talked about: what cheap and expensive capital even means, why is money now getting more expensive, and what implications this has on the business world.
69- Strong dollar is good for the US economy, right? Right?!
July 27, 2022 05:25 - 34 minutes - 27.3 MBIt’s usually a bad sign when currencies take over news. It was no different this July 13th when the news broke that one euro is worth exactly one dollar for the first time in twenty years. The US dollar has been gaining strength against other currencies over the last six months due to various reasons, which we cover in detail in this episode. But the question is: Who benefits from a strong dollar. A strong dollar is good for US companies, right? Well… It is not that simple. Li...
68- How to position and price yourself as a design freelancer
July 19, 2022 06:47 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBWorking as a freelancer comes with opportunities and challenges. One of these challenges is how you position yourself to get the clients you love working with. And secondly, how do you price your services so you can survive and thrive. We invited two d.MBA alumni and design freelancers (well, they prefer the term contractors - more about that in the show), Tom Prior and James Bickerton to share their experience. We talked about: how James charges $7,500 for a 90-minute workshop...
67- If monopolies are so bad why is every company trying to become one?
June 29, 2022 06:44 - 40 minutes - 32.2 MBThere is a saying in business that if a company is trying to prove that it is a monopoly, then it is not one. But if a company is trying to prove that it is not a monopoly, it may very well be. Holding a monopoly gives a company an unfair advantage, which is good for the company but usually bad for consumers and society as less (or no competition) leads to less (or no) innovation. Lately, Facebook, Amazon, Google, and Apple are all facing legal actions to hinder their monopolist...
66- How to convince your company to test a 4-day work week?
June 15, 2022 06:44 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBSurely, most of us would agree that a 4-day work week is a good idea, right? Early research shows no drop in productivity, and a big increase in employee well-being. So, why hasn’t it been more widely adopted? At the d.MBA, we’ve been running a 4-day work week for the last four years. So, we thought we would comment on some common concerns about the setup and share our perspective. Tune in to learn the most common arguments against the 4-day work week, and learn from our story h...
65- What does a market crash mean for design (and business) community?
June 01, 2022 06:44 - 49 minutes - 39.5 MBThe prices of tech companies have fallen dramatically. Facebook, Netflix, Google, Apple, and Amazon are all down between 20 and 80% since their record highs. Yikes. Everyone is freaking out. But why? How does a market crash affect companies and us working for them? How does this affect designers? In this Business Design Jam, we talked about: the recent (mini?) market crash in the tech sector, why Netflix’s stock price is down almost 80%, and what Netflix can (and plans to) do...
64- Designing and aligning incentives
April 20, 2022 10:59 - 10 minutes - 8.77 MBHave you ever hired a freelancer and paid them per hour? And did you have the feeling that they are extending their scope of work so they could charge you more? Then, you have already experienced misaligned incentives, which are one of the biggest challenges and opportunities for companies. They can hurt relationships within companies and damage partnerships with outside collaborators. In our latest podcast episode, we explore how incentives affect the work of designers and wh...
63- Andrew Whelan - Business Design at Ford
March 08, 2022 09:57 - 38 minutes - 32.9 MBBusiness design is already pretty common among design agencies but not so much in product companies. So, we were excited to talk to Andrew Whelan, a Business Design Director at the D-Ford London Lab, where he leads a diverse and multi-skilled team tackling some of the biggest business model opportunities in the auto and mobility industry. We covered: what the role of business designers at D-Ford entails, Andrew’s favorite business design tools, and how to make the case for the b...
62- Wall-worthy school certificates for the digital age
February 22, 2022 16:37 - 33 minutes - 27.1 MBLast week, we launched new school certificates. Using a combination of generative art and blockchain, we created several hundred unique certificates so that each student can receive a piece of art that is wall-worthy and trustworthy. To learn more about the project check out the blog post with visual materials. In this podcast episode, I spoke with Emil from design studio Ljudje, which helped us bring these beautiful certificates to life. We covered: How the certificates were desi...
61- NFT Business Models
February 02, 2022 14:10 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBIn this Business Design Jam, we talked about NFTs (Non-fungible tokens) and what new business models they will enable. Franz Emprechtinger and Alen Faljic covered: digital art and recurring revenues, fractionalization, distributed ownership, and crowdfunding, community and network effects, and internet native cooperations - DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations). www.d.mba
60- Aarron Walter - Business case for emotional design
November 19, 2021 14:41 - 40 minutes - 32.3 MBAarron Walter is Director of Product on the COVID Response team at Resolve to Save Lives. Previously, he was VP of Content at InVision, and founded the UX practice at Mailchimp where he helped grow the product from a few thousand users to more than 10 million. He's the author of a number of books, the latest of which is a second edition of Designing for Emotion. In this episode, we talked about: the business case for emotional design, how healthy personal finance lead to better ...
59- Hidden costs behind every decision
September 01, 2021 04:00 - 11 minutes - 9.55 MBThe opportunity costs are a super important concept for our decision-making process. They describe potential benefits that we miss out on because we decided to do something else. For example, focusing the company’s resources on rebranding instead of product development. In this episode, we will cover: how opportunity costs affect decisions taken within companies, what are sunk costs and how to avoid sunk cost trap, and how we can present design solutions better to get more buy-in from sen...
59- Hidden costs behind every decision
September 01, 2021 04:00 - 11 minutes - 9.55 MBThe opportunity costs are a super important concept for our decision-making process. They describe potential benefits that we miss out on because we decided to do something else. For example, focusing the company’s resources on rebranding instead of product development. In this episode, we will cover: how opportunity costs affect decisions taken within companies, what are sunk costs and how to avoid sunk cost trap, and how we can present design solutions better to get more buy-in...
58- Guestimation Challenge 2
July 20, 2021 04:00 - 38 minutes - 30.5 MBIn the guestimation challenge, two contenders make fast estimations with very little data available. This game imitates a real-world scenario, where we need to estimate certain numbers for our projects. For example, when we want to understand the size of our competitors, how much revenue our product or service idea could make, etc. This time, contenders are two d.MBA mentors Jo Roberts (Senior Business Design Director at Prophet) and Sherif Labib (Business Designer and Senior Advi...