Welcome to Design Actually, a podcast about what it’s really like to be a designer — especially when you’re just starting out.
I’m Stella, currently switching careers into product design. This show is my way of learning out loud through honest conversations with everyday designers — not the highlight reels, but the messy middle.
In this first episode, I chat with KD, a designer who moved from psychology into UX. We talk about learning the fundamentals without a design degree, balancing data with intuition, and how to grow when you're in a place without strong design culture.
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00:00 Highlights
00:43 What is this podcast
03:41 KD's background - from Psychology to UX design0
7:51 Advices to career-switchers: staying grounded, staying curious
13:32 What it's like and how to navigate in a place without a strong design culture
20:52 Balancing data and taste
29:06 What research is worth including in a portfolio
33:20 Outro and what's next
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If this episode resonated with you — or if you have feedback, topic ideas, or want to be a guest — I’d love to hear from you!
Feel free to reach out:📩 Email: designactually25@gmail.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellayy/

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AI_SUMMARIZE

Design Actually is a podcast about what it’s actually like to be a UX designer. Hosted by a designer-in-progress navigating a career switch, this show features honest, low-pressure conversations with everyday designers. Not the polished highlight reels, but the real stuff: imposter syndrome, awkward feedback, weird interviews, and the small wins that keep us going.
It’s about design — but also about finding your way, building confidence, and growing through uncertainty.
If you're quietly ambitious and still figuring it out, this podcast is for you. Let's figure it out together.

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Design Actually: Honest Conversations for New UX Designers

#1 From Psychology to UX: KD’s Journey Through Intuition, Craft, and Finding His Corner