Jenny Blackburn: Google's VP of UX for Gemini on how generative AI can improve our workflows

01/22/25 • 22 min

We live in an era where the boundaries are beginning to blur between roles like designers and developers. Generative AI tools are making it easier for designers to code quick prototypes, and for developers to wireframe and create first-pass UI’s for applications.

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So we thought it would be fascinating to talk with Jenny Blackburn, VP of UX at Google for Gemini, about the many ways that GenAI can improve our workflows. We also speak with Jenny about how experimental tools like NotebookLM play a role in the roadmap for Gemini, how they get feedback from their users, and the skills designers need to be successful in the era of AI.

Bio

Jenny Blackburn is the Vice President of User Experience (UX) at Google for Gemini Experiences & Google Assistant, where she leads cross-functional teams in shaping engaging, intuitive products used by millions worldwide. With over two decades of experience at leading technology firms—including Apple and Amazon—she has built a reputation for championing design excellence and user-centric innovation. Jenny is known for fostering collaborative, diverse environments and delivering impactful solutions that blend creativity, accessibility, and strategic thinking to drive exceptional user experiences.

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Bio

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Previous Episode

Scott Berkun: Why Design is Hard

As designers, we sometimes get caught up in our egos. I’m the creative one on the team. I’m the one who should have the final say on these designs. I’m misunderstood, and I feel like I’m always having to teach people a new language.

Find full show notes and bonus content on our Substack: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/scott-berkun-why-design-is-hard

Author Scott Berkun has a new book called Why Design is Hard, which dives into why this “ego trap” limits designers' effectiveness in their roles. We welcome him back on the show to discuss this new book, and also discuss how designers can learn to navigate organizational power structures and gain more influence over decisions that affect their work, how the myth of the “design hero” shapes young designers entering the field, and why design schools often fail to prepare students for the real-world dynamics of organizational culture and power.

Bio

Scott Berkun is a bestselling author and popular speaker on UX design, innovation, leading teams, public speaking and other subjects. He’s published nine books, including How Design Makes The World, The Myths of Innovation, Confessions of a Public Speaker, and The Year Without Pants. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Guardian, Wired magazine, USA Today, Fast Company, National Public Radio, CNN, NPR, MSNBC and other media. His popular blog is at scottberkun.com and he tweets at @berkun.

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Premium Episodes on Design Better

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Next Episode

Jake Knapp: Click—How to make what people want

Design sprints have become a staple of the creative process at companies around the world and an indispensable tool in the pursuit of innovation. We owe a debt of thanks to Jake Knapp and his former colleagues at Google Ventures (now known as GV) who pioneered the design sprint.

Visit our Substack for bonus content and more: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/jake-knapp-click

There is one gap that design sprints have not entirely addressed, though. What do you do if you’re starting a new product or company from scratch? That is the subject of Jake Knapp and co-author John Zeratsky’s newest book, Click: How to make what people want. Jake lays out the elements of what he calls a “foundation sprint” in this book.

We chat with Jake about what makes a foundation sprint different than a design sprint, and some examples from the book of companies that have used foundation sprints effectively. We also talk to Jake about his decision to start Character, a VC fund aimed at helping startups at seed stage with capital and sprints, and the qualities that they look for in their founders when deciding to invest.

Pre-order "Click"

Bio

Jake Knapp is a New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of Character.

Previously, Jake built products like Microsoft Encarta and Gmail, co-founded Google Meet, and invented the Design Sprint. He has coached hundreds of teams at places like Miro, Slack, LEGO, IDEO, and NASA on product strategy and time management, and is a guest instructor at Harvard Business School.

This is Jake’s third appearance on Design Better. In his first interview with us, he discusses Sprint, and in his second interview he talks about his (and John Zeratsky’s) book Make Time.

Books & links mentioned

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