Design Better Podcast Summary

Episode: The Brief: Stop Specializing—Live a Multidisciplinary Creative Life
Host: Eli Woolery and Aarron Walter
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Sponsored by: Wix Studio

Introduction

In the episode titled "Stop Specializing—Live a Multidisciplinary Creative Life," co-host Eli Woolery delves into the advantages of embracing a multidisciplinary approach in creative careers. Drawing from his personal experiences and insights gathered from interviews with various creative thinkers, Eli emphasizes the importance of curiosity and versatility in fostering innovation.

Eli Woolery’s Personal Journey

Eli Woolery shares a pivotal moment in his life that steered him towards a multidisciplinary path. On September 2015, shortly after the birth of his second child, Eli was unexpectedly laid off from his startup. This event prompted him to reflect on his diverse career trajectory, which spanned product design, marine biology, underwater photography, and web development. He realized that his ability to adapt and explore different fields was a strength, not a liability.

"Companies wanted specialists in tidy boxes, not jacks of all trades."
— Eli Woolery [00:02]

This realization became the foundation for the Design Better podcast, where Eli and Aarron Walter explore stories of individuals who thrive by not confining themselves to a single specialization.

Guest Insights

Jordan Mechner: Embracing Opportunities and Creativity

Jordan Mechner, renowned for creating classic games like Karateka and Prince of Persia, discusses how early success afforded him the freedom to pursue his passions on his own terms. He highlights the rarity of having multiple options and how each opportunity led to another, allowing him to explore various creative projects without feeling constrained to accept just any job.

"I have never had to say, 'Okay, I hate this project or I hate this job, but I have to take it.' And I know how rare that is."
— Jordan Mechner [04:41]

Jordan’s approach underscores the value of leveraging initial successes to explore diverse creative avenues, fostering a rich and fulfilling career.

Natalia Shelburne: The Accretive Process of Learning

Natalia Shelburne, former art director at The New York Times, recounts her transition from fine arts and psychology to front-end development. She explains how her role at a nonprofit required her to wear multiple hats, which seamlessly led her to learn coding as an extension of her creative endeavors. Natalia emphasizes that her diverse skill set is the result of an "accretive process," where each new skill builds upon the previous ones.

"It just felt like growing and adding to it."
— Natalia Shelburne [06:21]

Natalia’s story illustrates how curiosity-driven learning can organically expand one’s capabilities, enhancing both personal growth and professional versatility.

Kevin Bethune: Prototyping a New Career Path

Kevin Bethune shares his journey from being a nuclear engineer to becoming a designer at Nike. He attributes his successful transition to consistent prototyping and mentorship. By dedicating nights and early mornings to developing his design skills, Kevin was able to demonstrate his potential to Duane Edwards, Nike's footwear design director.

"We got two shoes with my design credits under his mentorship."
— Kevin Bethune [10:43]

Kevin’s experience highlights the effectiveness of proactive learning and mentorship in navigating career shifts and achieving professional aspirations.

Building a Multidisciplinary Career

Eli Woolery provides actionable strategies for cultivating a multidisciplinary creative life:

1. Cross Pollination Fridays:
   Allocate time each week to consume content from unrelated fields, such as woodworking videos, finance podcasts, or biology articles. This practice encourages the discovery of new ideas and perspectives.

2. Transfer the Skills - Stack Journal:
   Maintain a journal to track every skill you learn, no matter how small. This helps in identifying how different skills interconnect and build upon each other, fostering a cohesive skill set.

3. The Curiosity Calendar:
   Block an hour each month to explore a random question or interest. Allowing yourself to delve into diverse topics can lead to unexpected insights and innovations.

4. Prototype Before You Pivot:
   Before making significant career changes, experiment on a small scale. This could involve volunteering, freelancing, taking a class, or shadowing someone in your field of interest. Prototyping provides real-world experience without the high stakes of a full commitment.

"In an era where the career landscape is like quicksand under our feet, the future belongs to those who could connect the dots across disciplines."
— Eli Woolery [11:46]

Practical Prototyping Experiments

Eli further elaborates on methods to prototype career transitions:

• Morning and Evening Apprenticeships:
  Similar to Kevin Bethune’s routine, find a mentor willing to work outside regular hours. This dedicated time fosters skill development and professional relationships.

• Skills Journal:
  Engage in activities related to your desired career in your personal time. For example, start a blog if you want to teach or consult on friends' projects to gain experience.

• One Small Client Experiment:
  Take on a freelance project in your area of interest to obtain low-risk, real-world feedback from paying clients.

• Volunteer Your Way In:
  Offer your skills to nonprofits or community projects to gain hands-on experience and test the daily realities of your target field.

• Shadowing:
  Spend a day or a week shadowing someone in your desired career to understand the routine and challenges involved.

Conclusion

The episode underscores the significance of embracing a multidisciplinary approach to foster creativity and innovation. By following curiosity, experimenting through prototyping, and building a diverse skill set, individuals can navigate the evolving career landscape with resilience and adaptability. The stories of guests like Jordan Mechner, Natalia Shelburne, and Kevin Bethune serve as inspiring examples of how refusing to specialize can lead to a more fulfilling and dynamic professional life.

For more insights and to listen to this episode, visit designbetterpodcast.com.