Shape FM Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/shape-fm-99d6ceb5-82f2-424c-8d07-796dcd36ad88 We dive into design with a focus on learning taste, honing quality, and mastering the craft of great interfaces. 2025 Shape FM ff3e67bf-cab1-565f-89a3-f8231a831849 no en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:34:53 -0700 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:39:01 -0700 https://img.transistorcdn.com/ojdJcK0-yS2bma4cQQi0lFnYJbkjXfS_qrlaoKluprw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82MmZm/ODY2YzVhOGI1ZWFm/YjkyYjZkNzAwNzJm/NTMzMS5wbmc.jpg Shape FM episodic James McDonald & Derek Briggs We dive into design with a focus on learning taste, honing quality, and mastering the craft of great interfaces. We dive into design with a focus on learning taste, honing quality, and mastering the craft of great interfaces.. design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing Shape FM No No Episode 11 - Building a Mac app with Claude Code 11 11 Episode 11 - Building a Mac app with Claude Code full fdb62e37-0b35-47b2-8864-cbd06b8a4767 https://share.transistor.fm/s/35f215e8 In this episode, Derek and James discuss how Claude Code has removed the barrier to building their ideas. James shares how he’s building a native Mac app for his Ring doorbell cameras, while Derek talks about developing an iOS app at Shopify.


They also discuss Benji’s move to X, and why they’re excited to see his level of polish applied across the x.com website and app.

]]> In this episode, Derek and James discuss how Claude Code has removed the barrier to building their ideas. James shares how he’s building a native Mac app for his Ring doorbell cameras, while Derek talks about developing an iOS app at Shopify.


They also discuss Benji’s move to X, and why they’re excited to see his level of polish applied across the x.com website and app.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:34:09 -0700 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 2512 In this episode, Derek and James discuss how Claude Code has removed the barrier to building their ideas. James shares how he’s building a native Mac app for his Ring doorbell cameras, while Derek talks about developing an iOS app at Shopify.


They also discuss Benji’s move to X, and why they’re excited to see his level of polish applied across the x.com website and app.

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No Episode 10: Designing & shipping a portfolio website with Claude Code 10 10 Episode 10: Designing & shipping a portfolio website with Claude Code full a3b60b44-ee2a-4ddb-966f-a6d1d6cdd09e https://share.transistor.fm/s/c525d9d9 In this week’s episode, Derek and James continue their conversation around AI tools for designers. James also takes a deep dive into how he’s using Claude Code to build the new website for his studio.

]]> In this week’s episode, Derek and James continue their conversation around AI tools for designers. James also takes a deep dive into how he’s using Claude Code to build the new website for his studio.

]]> Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:48:17 -0800 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 3565 In this week’s episode, Derek and James continue their conversation around AI tools for designers. James also takes a deep dive into how he’s using Claude Code to build the new website for his studio.

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No Episode 9: Claude Code, new design tools and more 9 9 Episode 9: Claude Code, new design tools and more full 730d09db-4ef2-413a-b599-51b9a999e268 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f37c53bb We’re back for our first episode of 2026. It’s only been just over a month since the last episode, but design tooling in the AI era continues to move at breakneck speed. James shares how Claude has become part of his day-to-day workflow, and together he and Derek talk about why it’s such an exciting time to be a creative.

]]> We’re back for our first episode of 2026. It’s only been just over a month since the last episode, but design tooling in the AI era continues to move at breakneck speed. James shares how Claude has become part of his day-to-day workflow, and together he and Derek talk about why it’s such an exciting time to be a creative.

]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:55:44 -0800 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 2846 We’re back for our first episode of 2026. It’s only been just over a month since the last episode, but design tooling in the AI era continues to move at breakneck speed. James shares how Claude has become part of his day-to-day workflow, and together he and Derek talk about why it’s such an exciting time to be a creative.

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No Episode 8: Figma design review 8 8 Episode 8: Figma design review full 9ca03fa6-4806-435c-8cde-2176ea1c417f https://share.transistor.fm/s/b043652a James walks through a Figma file of recent client work for AccessGrid. He goes through his (lack of) organization within the file, communicating the work to the client, and process of iteration.

]]> James walks through a Figma file of recent client work for AccessGrid. He goes through his (lack of) organization within the file, communicating the work to the client, and process of iteration.

]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:33:25 -0800 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 3330 James walks through a Figma file of recent client work for AccessGrid. He goes through his (lack of) organization within the file, communicating the work to the client, and process of iteration.

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No 7: Being effective at joining a new team and leveraging AI to build tools for your needs. 7 7 7: Being effective at joining a new team and leveraging AI to build tools for your needs. full f381c63e-a565-47a2-8596-c06a23f3adae https://share.transistor.fm/s/1dddd65c Derek talks about working at Shopify and the day to day processes of joining new teams, and James talks about using AI to build out personal tools for being more efficient designing.

Shape FM is sponsored by clerk.com

]]> Derek talks about working at Shopify and the day to day processes of joining new teams, and James talks about using AI to build out personal tools for being more efficient designing.

Shape FM is sponsored by clerk.com

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2025 07:32:48 -0800 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 3422 Derek talks about working at Shopify and the day to day processes of joining new teams, and James talks about using AI to build out personal tools for being more efficient designing.

Shape FM is sponsored by clerk.com

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No 6: Q&A 6 6 6: Q&A full 71b01d0b-f074-4536-9d94-ef8a86b911e5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/894fa339 James and Derek answer questions around design process, managing deadlines, working with other teams in your company, and coordinating world class design implementations.

Shape FM is sponsored by clerk.com

]]> James and Derek answer questions around design process, managing deadlines, working with other teams in your company, and coordinating world class design implementations.

Shape FM is sponsored by clerk.com

]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:58:04 -0800 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 4167 James and Derek answer questions around design process, managing deadlines, working with other teams in your company, and coordinating world class design implementations.

Shape FM is sponsored by clerk.com

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No 5: Help with hiring and getting hired 5 5 5: Help with hiring and getting hired full b3bb8611-4041-494e-9c3e-8354681b9f32 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a26f43e1 James and Derek talk about both providing hiring experiences as well as help navigating the various processes in getting hired.


Shape FM is sponsored by the amazing clerk.com

]]> James and Derek talk about both providing hiring experiences as well as help navigating the various processes in getting hired.


Shape FM is sponsored by the amazing clerk.com

]]> Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:51:48 -0700 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 5558 James and Derek talk about both providing hiring experiences as well as help navigating the various processes in getting hired.


Shape FM is sponsored by the amazing clerk.com

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No 4: Your online presence 4 4 4: Your online presence full 7f8fb1c0-9724-497a-baa4-169c59b2f306 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b94899c1 In this episode we talk about the new Cursor website, some folks we've worked with in the past that are available for a new opportunity, how your social presence impacts your hire-ability, and some suggestions on finding inspiration in your designs.

]]> In this episode we talk about the new Cursor website, some folks we've worked with in the past that are available for a new opportunity, how your social presence impacts your hire-ability, and some suggestions on finding inspiration in your designs.

]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:29:57 -0700 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 2131 In this episode we talk about the new Cursor website, some folks we've worked with in the past that are available for a new opportunity, how your social presence impacts your hire-ability, and some suggestions on finding inspiration in your designs.

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No 3: Motion and animation with intent 3 3 3: Motion and animation with intent full 2d769e10-4719-42ac-84ae-521bba1a9887 https://share.transistor.fm/s/20651289 We dive into motion design - why rigid “motion systems” fall short, how product vs. marketing animations differ, using real-world physics for natural feel, and practical ways designers can communicate motion. Plus a Figma breakdown of our new playback UI on shape.fm

]]> We dive into motion design - why rigid “motion systems” fall short, how product vs. marketing animations differ, using real-world physics for natural feel, and practical ways designers can communicate motion. Plus a Figma breakdown of our new playback UI on shape.fm

]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:41:32 -0700 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 2453 We dive into motion design - why rigid “motion systems” fall short, how product vs. marketing animations differ, using real-world physics for natural feel, and practical ways designers can communicate motion. Plus a Figma breakdown of our new playback UI on shape.fm

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No 2: A Designer’s career multiplier: Communication 2 2 2: A Designer’s career multiplier: Communication full 196ae380-f05a-4fc6-bd1f-93daf8387102 https://share.transistor.fm/s/63d2fe7f Design careers aren’t just built on pixels and pretty work. They’re built on how you show up, communicate, and handle the messy middle. In this episode, we talk about what real progression looks like in design, why communication outpaces raw talent, and how to level up from doing tasks to owning outcomes. We share practical strategies for protecting your focus, avoiding burnout, and building a reputation for reliability and craft. Whether you’re starting out or aiming for leadership, this one’s packed with lessons we’ve learned the hard way.

]]> Design careers aren’t just built on pixels and pretty work. They’re built on how you show up, communicate, and handle the messy middle. In this episode, we talk about what real progression looks like in design, why communication outpaces raw talent, and how to level up from doing tasks to owning outcomes. We share practical strategies for protecting your focus, avoiding burnout, and building a reputation for reliability and craft. Whether you’re starting out or aiming for leadership, this one’s packed with lessons we’ve learned the hard way.

]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:45:40 -0700 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 4063 Design careers aren’t just built on pixels and pretty work. They’re built on how you show up, communicate, and handle the messy middle. In this episode, we talk about what real progression looks like in design, why communication outpaces raw talent, and how to level up from doing tasks to owning outcomes. We share practical strategies for protecting your focus, avoiding burnout, and building a reputation for reliability and craft. Whether you’re starting out or aiming for leadership, this one’s packed with lessons we’ve learned the hard way.

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No 1: Introducing Shape, our design podcast 1 1 1: Introducing Shape, our design podcast full c6b1f5a6-6ed5-466a-ba32-b97b2299ee0d https://share.transistor.fm/s/eb2728c2 We kick things off by sharing how we got into design, how we first met, and a nostalgic nod to everyone’s favorite relic - the marquee element. From there, it’s straight into design talk: drop shadows, colors, projects we’ve worked on together, and a roundup of our favorite tweets from the week on X.

]]> We kick things off by sharing how we got into design, how we first met, and a nostalgic nod to everyone’s favorite relic - the marquee element. From there, it’s straight into design talk: drop shadows, colors, projects we’ve worked on together, and a roundup of our favorite tweets from the week on X.

]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:54:59 -0700 James McDonald & Derek Briggs James McDonald & Derek Briggs 2933 We kick things off by sharing how we got into design, how we first met, and a nostalgic nod to everyone’s favorite relic - the marquee element. From there, it’s straight into design talk: drop shadows, colors, projects we’ve worked on together, and a roundup of our favorite tweets from the week on X.

]]> design, ux, ui, product, software, interface, icons, visual, saas, marketing No