UX Fika Podcast #17: Josh Clark & Veronika Kindred on Sentient Design, AI As A Material, And The Future of Interfaces
In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Josh Clark and Veronika Kindred from Big Medium — design leaders and co-authors of the upcoming book Sentient Design.
We talk about what it’s like to work and write a book together as father and daughter, and how that partnership has shaped both their working relationships and their ideas about what design needs next. They share how Sentient Design frames AI not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a new design material — one that lets us create experiences that are intelligent and radically adaptive.
We explore the concept of “practical magic,” why sometimes wheels on a suitcase are enough, and when it’s worth reaching for the flying version. Josh and Veronika also walk through some of the 14 new patterns they’ve identified for AI experiences, like the “Pinocchio” pattern. We talk about the future of interfaces, navigating characters and relationships with AI and LLMs, and what all of this means for the future of design teams, businesses, and everyday products.
It’s a conversation about invention, responsibility, and designing futures that are as humane as they are intelligent. And it’s one to watch, as they share a few examples.
Plus:
☕️ Why cinnamon roll is Veronika’s go to fika and home made turkey sandwich is Josh’s
⭐ Why “If it passes me, it wasn’t meant for me” is Veronika’s advice and “You have time” and “You are not your work” is Josh’s
What we cover:
02:30 Introduction and Family Dynamics
05:23 Veronika's Journey into Design
08:20 Navigating Family and Professional Relationships
11:24 The Book Writing Process
14:21 Sentient Design: Concept and Challenges
17:16 Future-Proofing Design in a Rapidly Changing Landscape
20:11 The Role of AI in Design
23:08 Magic and Practicality in Design
26:16 AI as a Design Material
28:56 The Importance of Intent in AI Interfaces
32:03 Cultural Shifts in AI Adoption
34:48 Balancing AI Innovation and Responsibility
37:52 Design Patterns for AI Integration
48:16 The Value of Sketching in Design
50:54 The Shift from Tool-Based Design to Conceptual Thinking
52:12 AI-Mediated Design: A New Era of Innovation
54:46 Radically Adaptive Experiences in Design
58:35 The Future of Interfaces and User Experience
01:02:27 Navigating Relationships with AI and LLMs
01:11:35 The Impact of AI on Future Generations
01:18:04 Life Lessons and Reflections on Growth
Where you’ll find Josh & Veronika:
- Big Medium
- Sentient Design book info
- "A Little Big Medium" our occasional email newsletter
- Veronika Kindred on LinkedIn
- Josh Clark on LinkedIn
Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika: