Designed Minds has launched our very own podcast! We share insights, resources, and inspiration for our community and your career journey. Unlike traditional podcasts, audience members will be invited to chime in on the discussion and ask questions.
Want to join us as a guest or have an idea for a future episode? Let the hosts know!
If you are not a DM member, but would like to join a community of supportive designers, you can apply here: https://www.designedminds.co/application2 (https://www.designedminds.co/application2)
We would also love to hear feedback from the community! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFzUA7tVbp4GhKFZGYdqLSKE7hMYWJh9rJvDM-HW84ln8CTQ/viewform (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFzUA7tVbp4GhKFZGYdqLSKE7hMYWJh9rJvDM-HW84ln8CTQ/viewform)
Today, we have our special guest Monica Shin to unpack the topic of: Ingenuity goes a long way.
Monica is currently as a freelance UX/Product Designer with experience in tax accounting, fitness franchising, learning management systems, and that we don't make mistakes in life, only happy trees, as Bob Ross would say. However, to add to Mr. Ross, we must take our mistakes as seeds and plant what we learn about ourselves to grow. Fan of the wise words of John Wooden and MacGyver, she tries to stay true to herself while pushing herself outside of her comfort zone because "everything you want is just outside of it".
About the hosts:
Sara Barber is a UX Designer at Arizona State University, specializing in accessibility. With five years of experience crafting intuitive and exciting designs, Sara has experience scaling solutions from startups to service organizations and larger institutions. Sara co-hosts the Designed Minds Podcast and serves on the Out in Tech UIUX chapter leadership team. Sara also loves self-publishing zines and co-founded Bisbee Zine Fest!
Moyai Fujimura is a product designer specializing in design systems. Coming from a non-traditional path into design, she values shared learning and vulnerability. As a co-host of the Designed Minds podcast and community organizer, she aims to create spaces where designers can share openly, connect authentically, and grow together.
26 Aug 2026
Episode 19 - What Happens When a Product Designer Becomes a Founder?
For our next episode, we have a very special guest, Ammara Khan. Ammara is a UX/UI Designer with over two years of experience designing user-centered experiences across healthcare, education, fitness, and AI-driven products. Passionate about solving complex problems through research and systems thinking, she's currently building her first startup while exploring the transition from designer to founder. Through her work, she advocates for continuous discovery, thoughtful product decisions, and building solutions that create meaningful impact.
About the hosts:
Sara Barber is a UX Designer at Arizona State University, specializing in accessibility. With five years of experience crafting intuitive and exciting designs, Sara has experience scaling solutions from startups to service organizations and larger institutions. Sara co-hosts the Designed Minds Podcast and serves on the Out in Tech UIUX chapter leadership team. Sara also loves self-publishing zines and co-founded Bisbee Zine Fest!
Moyai Fujimura is a product designer specializing in design systems. Coming from a non-traditional path into design, she values shared learning and vulnerability. As a co-host of the Designed Minds podcast and community organizer, she aims to create spaces where designers can share openly, connect authentically, and grow together.
4 Aug 2026
Episode 18 - Streamlining Business Operations Through Design
For our next episode, we have a very special guest, Khushali Parekh: As a product designer, Khushali spent years designing digital products and SaaS platforms. Recently, Khushali started applying the same UX and product thinking principles to her family's car rental business in Dubai, and realised that design can improve far more than just interfaces. From redesigning customer journeys and WhatsApp communication to building internal systems and shaping marketing workflows, Khushali has been using design to simplify processes, reduce friction, and create better experiences for both customers and the team. Through this experience, Khushali has come to see that product thinking can be a powerful driver of business growth, even in industries that don't traditionally think of themselves as design-led.
About the hosts:
Sara Barber is a UX Designer at Arizona State University, specializing in accessibility. With five years of experience crafting intuitive and exciting designs, Sara has experience scaling solutions from startups to service organizations and larger institutions. Sara co-hosts the Designed Minds Podcast and serves on the Out in Tech UIUX chapter leadership team. Sara also loves self-publishing zines and co-founded Bisbee Zine Fest!
Moyai Fujimura is a product designer specializing in design systems. Coming from a non-traditional path into design, she values shared learning and vulnerability. As a co-host of the Designed Minds podcast and community organizer, she aims to create spaces where designers can share openly, connect authentically, and grow together.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact Designed Minds
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Designed Minds?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
