The Stoic Designer

If you’re a UX professional tackling the relentless pace of shipping digital products, the complexities of design leadership, or perhaps the challenging job market, then this space is for you. As a career product designer and a freshly minted design leader with 25 years on the job, I experience similar pressures to those you might encounter daily. From advocating for user needs against tight deadlines to cultivating a thriving design team, the daily challenges are significant. This blog is more than just a personal endeavor; it’s a shared journey to discover more resilient and effective ways to lead, learn and, generally, get stuff done.

My own journey into Stoicism began not in a philosophy class, but through the practical wisdom of Ryan Holiday’s “The Daily Dad” and “The Daily Stoic”, which then led me to the profound reflections of Marcus Aurelius’s “Meditations”, the works of Seneca, and Epictetus. This philosophy, with its emphasis on introspection, reason, and virtue, immediately spoke to my soul.

And it quickly started to work. Embracing Stoic principles has already made me a better dad, a more present husband, a sharper designer, and a more composed and effective boss. The clarity it brings to separating what’s within my control from what isn’t, and the focus it places on my reactions rather than external events, has been transformative.

Firstly, my aim here is to share insights and strategies for managing the everyday challenges that face UX Designers and leaders today. We’ll explore practical ways to approach everything from stakeholder management and team dynamics to creative blocks and career growth, all through the lens of timeless Stoic philosophy. My hope is that by reflecting on these principles, you’ll find greater clarity, resilience, and effectiveness in your own roles.

But beyond helping others, this blog is also a profound learning journey for myself. As Seneca, one of the great Stoic philosophers, once said, “Docendo discimus” – by teaching, we learn. The act of articulating these Stoic concepts and applying them to real-world UX scenarios forces a deeper understanding, helping me solidify my own grasp of these powerful ideas. It’s a commitment to continuous self-improvement, refining my leadership skills, and strengthening my own inner citadel as a design leader.

Consider this our shared space for growth. We’ll tackle common challenges, explore how ancient wisdom can offer modern solutions, and perhaps, along the way, we’ll all become a little more resilient, a little more rational, and a lot more effective in shaping the user experiences of tomorrow.

I’m excited to embark on this journey with you. Shoot me an email and let me know what some of the immediate challenges you’re facing are. We’ll explore them together!