This episode explores the underrepresentation of designers as startup founders and how designers can leverage their skills to build successful companies. Against this backdrop, the interview features Raphael Schaad, founder of Cron (later Notion Calendar), who transitioned from designer to founder. More significantly, Schaad emphasizes the three crucial aspects of a successful product: desirability, viability, and feasibility, aligning them with design, business, and technology respectively. He argues that designers' problem-solving abilities, particularly relevant in the current AI-driven landscape, make them uniquely suited for entrepreneurship. For instance, he highlights the shift from designing static interfaces to designing dynamic interactions powered by AI features. The discussion then pivots to practical advice for aspiring designer-founders and engineers seeking to enhance their design sensibilities, including learning by doing, surrounding oneself with good design, and studying design classics. Ultimately, the episode underscores the growing importance of design in the tech industry and encourages a more design-centric approach to building successful startups.
