Season 5

|

Episode 6

Envisioning the art of the

possible

Michael Wandelmaier

Head of Design @ Metalab

Nick Basile

Product strategy for

designers

Step up your product design career. Learn to advocate

for your ideas and influence your team.

Apr 4, 2024

|

53 mins

music by Dennis 

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About this Episode

From the onset of my journey in design, Metalab has always been a benchmark for me. Hence, this conversation is a distinctive one as we gain insights from their Design Chief, Michael Wandelmaier.

We delve profoundly into Metalab's design operations, discussing particular tactics encompassing:

Mike's favorite narrative strategies

The significance of decisive styling

When project limitations are disregarded

The singular method they plot user pathways

Guidelines for achieving consensus in intricate initiatives

Utilizing the 'absurdly premature conjecture'

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Show Notes

Ian Wharton (storytelling coach)

Upwork (example client)

Transcript chapters

[00:00:00] Overview of how Metalab works

[00:01:59] How to run a great project kickoff meeting

[00:05:19] A different way to think about user journey maps

[00:07:33] Why Mike uses the "Ridiculously early hypothesis"

[00:12:18] Strategies for driving alignment with clients

[00:16:03] How Metalab's process evolves for startups vs. big-

name brands

[00:18:11] Understanding the core Metalab process

[00:21:26] Designing to find answers vs. finding answers to design

[00:23:21] Importance of storytelling in the informal working

context

[00:26:00] Traits of designers who are great storytellers

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