A podcast about design, designers, and careers in design.
Starting from Industrial Design, Peter Boeckel discusses creating, leading, and navigating creative work of all types at this place we call Work.
Every office is designed for a future that doesn't exist yet. By the time a workplace opens, the organization has already begun to change. Teams evolve. Technology advances. Business priorities shift. So why do we still design workplaces as if they were finished products? In this episode of Design Office Hours , I speak with workplace strategist and author Sam Sahni , whose new book, Destination 2.0: The Playbook Every Executive Needs to Master Hybrid Work , challenges organizations to think differently about the workplace. Rather than seeing the office as a one-time capital project, Sam…
How do we know when a design career is no longer the right path? When the past thrill doesn't feel like the future thrill? In this conversation, I sit down with Sean Duffy, a former member of the Intuitive UX Design Team. Sean left his successful career as a designer at the company after many years, and while doing so, also left the field of design altogether. At least most of it. We unpack what happens when the work still matters, but the role no longer fits. Passion fatigue versus burnout Identity beyond being a designer What skills carry into a new field Why slower thinking still matters…
How many people have you actively networked with lately—and why does it matter? In this episode, I answer a question on a very common topic: Networking. And the question is: How do you successfully network? I break down networking as a skill you can train, not a personality trait you either have or don't. We reset what networking actually is, why it's critical early in your career, and how to approach it without awkwardness or transactional pressure. I share a simple, repeatable playbook you can start using immediately. Build relationships before you need them Use curiosity, not asks, to…
10x Essentials for Designers In this episode of Design Office Hours, I revisit Michael Sorkin's 250 Things an Architect Should Know (which Curtis Mikkelsen introduced me to in episode #18 of DOH) and reframe a set of Sorkin's "statements-as-wisdom" for designers and innovators. Rather than a checklist, this is more a way of passing down lived experience—more about judgment and humanity than rules and technique. Curtis and I started this exercise together but didn't finish our picks. I wanted to come back and run through mine in a more holistic way—what I think they mean, and why they feel…
Innovation, Design Fiction & Team Fine-Tuning with Curtis Michelson In this episode of Design Office Hours , I'm joined by Curtis Michelson—innovation strategist and facilitator—for a wide-ranging conversation on how real innovation happens inside organizations. We trace Curtis's journey from early environmental activism and the dot-com boom to his current work helping mid-sized companies unlock internal capacity for change. We talk about what it means to lead innovation efforts when the pressure is real, resources are limited, and the solution isn't another chatbot. We cover: – Designing…
In this episode of Design Office Hours, I speak with Tim Hulford, designer, leader, and former Director of Industrial Design, VR Accessories at Meta. We talk about: Navigating early design roles and finding your footing under pressure Building and leading design inside engineering-heavy environments like Intuitive The transition from engineering-led to design-led organizations—and what that actually changes How to sustain motivation during long product cycles or after a project is sunset What shifts when you lead in times of crisis, not calm Tim shares lessons from building surgical robots…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I respond to a question that comes up more often than you'd think: "How do I show released work in my portfolio if I don't have any assets from the project?" There are many reasons this might happen—NDAs, unreleased products, or simply not having access to the final materials. It can be especially frustrating if it was your best or most recent work. In this episode, I cover: – What to consider when leaving a job without approved portfolio assets – How to reflect your role without overstepping confidentiality – What matters more than showing the final…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I take a practical look at a question about AI in portfolios. In this episode of Design Office Hours, I reflect on one of the most practical and uncomfortable questions designers are facing: Should we use AI to cover for the skills we don't have? We explore: – Why using AI isn't cheating—it's adapting – What your AI use says about your values and process – The difference between "organized creativity" and true creative insight – How AI is lowering the threshold of skill—and what that means for designers – What happens when the learning curve…
In this episode of Design Office Hours, I sit down with Blair Hasty —founder of Crafted By—to unpack the disconnect many designers are feeling in the field today. Blair has spoken to over 300 designers—from students to senior leads—and a recurring theme emerges: designers are being pushed away from what they trained for and into roles that feel misaligned. This episode dives into what's missing in design education, the impact of shifting industry expectations, and why communication is now the most critical design skill. We explore: – Why many designers still self-identify as industrial…
Have you ever felt like a fraud, despite clear proof of your success? You're not alone. In this episode of Design Office Hours , I explore imposter syndrome—what it is, why it shows up so often in creative careers, and how to manage it. We'll cover: – The root causes of imposter syndrome and how it shows up – The link between perfectionism, burnout, and self-doubt – Three practical categories of support: cognitive, behavioral, and long-term strategies – Why designers need to reframe "good enough" and avoid perfection traps – How to build confidence with achievement logs and mindset shifts –…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I dive deep into a question I hear often—especially from hiring managers, educators, and design leads: How do you assess if a designer can apply critical thinking on a project? We talk a lot about "thinking like a designer," but what does that really look like in practice? In this episode, I break it down into clear, observable traits—and how to spot them. We cover: Why critical thinking shows up more in process than in outcomes How to frame vague problems and ask the right questions What design decisions say about a person's reasoning How…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I join Sushant Vohra and his community Young Designers of India (YDOI) for a live Q&A covering everything from skill mastery in the age of AI to how we reshape design education for the future. This one's full of bold questions and even bolder takes. We cover: What makes someone great at facilitating creative collaboration Why lifelong learning is a designer's most important skill How to navigate large organizations with fragmented design teams The real value (and limits) of design thinking workshops Why mastering a skill will never disappear—but what…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I answer a deceptively simple question with very real consequences: How do you choose the right workplace when you have options? From evaluating team culture to listening to your gut, this episode walks through what to pay attention to—especially when two jobs look equally good on paper. Here's what I cover: How to go beyond the job title and assess team dynamics Smart questions to ask in interviews (hint: think about culture and conflict) Why the comfortable job may not be where you grow the most How to trust your gut—without losing perspective The…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I answer a question that opens up one of my favorite topics: Should you include personal projects in your portfolio—and if so, how? Short answer: yes. Longer answer: yes, but do it thoughtfully. Here's what I cover: Why personal projects can carry more weight than client or school work How to set yourself a proper brief, constraints, and narrative Why calling out a personal project as such actually strengthens its impact How side projects can help you pivot industries or show passion for a niche Real examples from past portfolios that stood out (and…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I tackle a big, juicy question that hits home for a lot of designers: How do you make a case for promotion—especially when your workplace doesn't have clear metrics? If you're already doing the work of a senior designer but haven't gotten the title (or the raise), this episode walks through the mindset, strategy, and conversations that can help move things forward. Here's what I cover: Why doing the work is necessary—but not always enough How to start a productive, ongoing dialogue with your manager What to do if your company has no formal promotion…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I answer a question that comes up more often than you'd expect: "What helps you prevent burnout or manage stress when designing?" If you're in design school, just starting your first job, or feeling like you're running on fumes, this one's for you. Here's what I cover: How staying organized helps you gain clarity and calm Why context is the antidote to overwhelm The power of non-design hobbies (and yes, I talk about cycling uphill) Why meditation is like tuning your mental operating system The role of people: mentors, managers, classmates, and your…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I answer three practical portfolio questions I've been asked many times—and I'm giving straight answers to help you level up how your work is seen. Here's what I cover: Should your first image be a hero shot or a detail shot? → It depends. But make sure your first impression actually communicates what the project is—and why it matters. How many projects should you show? → There's no magic number. But not every project needs equal airtime. Show what's strong. Be intentional. Keep it tight. How do you make your portfolio elevate your work instead of…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I answer a practical question I hear often: What's the best platform to upload your design portfolio? There are more options than ever—Behance, Coroflot, Instagram, your own site—and they each serve different purposes. So in this episode, I break down how to think strategically about your online presence and what to prioritize when applying for jobs. Here's what I cover: The strengths and limitations of platforms like Behance , Coroflot , and Instagram Why your own website is still the most powerful (and often overlooked) tool Why PDF portfolios still…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I'm continuing the conversation on building a strong design portfolio — adding more ideas to the original question: What are the main things to focus on when putting together a portfolio? If you missed the first part, check the show notes for a link to Episode 1. Here's what I cover today: Why you should customize your portfolio for each opportunity (and how to do it without starting from scratch) How prototyping — even rough, low-fidelity work — builds credibility and shows how you think How to showcase your role in team projects and why…
In this episode of Design Office Hours, I'm answering one of the most common questions I get from students and young designers: What are the DOs and DON'Ts of a strong design portfolio? I've seen a lot of portfolios—and I've hired a lot of designers—so I'm breaking down the key things I look for and the pitfalls I see all too often. Here's what I cover in this episode: Why explaining your process is more important than just showing the end result How to highlight your decision-making, your reasoning, and what you learned The importance of clarity—don't make people guess what your project is…
In this episode of Design Office Hours , I break down some of the things that truly matter when building a design portfolio that leaves an impression. Whether you're just starting out or refining your body of work, this episode covers: The importance of mastering your tools — and making sure they serve your ideas Why design thinking and decision-making should be front and center How to highlight your adaptability when things don't go as planned The case for developing true creativity rather than copy-paste aesthetics The value of exploring fresh archetypes instead of mimicking trends Have a…
About Design Office Hours with Peter Boeckel
A podcast about design, designers, and careers in design.
Starting from Industrial Design, Peter Boeckel discusses creating, leading, and navigating creative work of all types at this place we call Work.
Design Office Hours with Peter Boeckel is a English arts & books podcast from peter boeckel. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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