 |
Barriers to EntryAuthor: SANDOW Design Group, digby, and SURROUND
Barriers to Entry is a design innovation podcast on the SURROUND Podcast Network. On each episode, we obsess over the not-too-distant future of the architecture, design and creative industries and the ideas, tools, technologies and talent that will take us there. Hosted by SANDOW DESIGN GROUP Chief Growth Officer Bobby Bonett, and digby co-founder Andrew Lane. Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Design Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
Listen Now...
Stacy Thorwart, Founder, The Intelligent Designer
Episode 6
Wednesday, 3 June, 2026
Beyond the PromptThis week Andrew welcomes Stacy Thorwart, AI educator, founder of The Intelligent Designer, and a fast-growing voice in the design technology space whose social platforms now reach tens of thousands of designers learning how to navigate AI.After years working with designers at Steelcase—and later helping lead global AI strategy—Stacy stepped into entrepreneurship to help the design industry move beyond curiosity and fear toward practical adoption. Her platform and community focus on a simple shift: AI literacy isn’t just about writing better prompts, it’s about understanding how designers collaborate with intelligent tools.Andrew and Stacy discuss why many firms struggle with AI adoption, how leadership and culture influence experimentation, and why early “AI wins” are often the key to momentum. They also explore how the designer’s role may evolve—from hands-on creator to manager of AI agents and digital collaborators—while keeping creativity, context, and human judgment firmly at the center of the process.Connect with our host, Andrew Lane, on LinkedInFollow Stacy Thorwart on LinkedInReferences and resourcesThe Intelligent DesignerGet in touch with us at bte@sandowdesign.comDiscover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.comThis episode of Barriers to Entry was produced by Rob Schulte.This season of Barriers to Entry is sponsored by Arktura.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
