The Funsize Show

Tony and Esteban explore what it means to be a designer today—navigating shifting roles, evolving tools, and the tension between credibility and curiosity. It’s part reflection, part banter, and part therapy session for anyone trying to make sense of the ever-changing creative landscape. Expect honest takes, a few laughs, and some surprisingly deep thoughts sparked by everyday experiences. 
 

To watch the video version of this podcast, head over to our YouTube channel here

----

Check out more exciting episodes on the Funsize Show Website.

Web: www.funsize.co. |  Linkedi...

What started as a little idea turned into something much much much bigger. The Big Little Print Show brought together 30 Austin-based artists to create original work around food, community, and justice, all in support of Urban Roots. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how the Funsize team and friends turned an idea into a sold out art show that raised over $10,000 for a good cause. 

Check out thebiglittleprintshow here

To watch the video version of this podcast, head over to our YouTube channel here

----

Check out more exciting episodes on t...

Tony and Lee dive into what design really means: less about making things pretty and more about solving real problems and helping people connect. They talk creative frustration versus AI speed, why human quirks matter, and how diverse perspectives shape better work. Plus, a few laughs, some shared wisdom, and plans to keep the convo going.

To watch the video version of this podcast, head over to our YouTube channel here

----

Check out more exciting episodes on the Funsize Show Website.

Web: www.funsize.co. |  Linkedin: Funsize Design  |  Instagram: @funsizeco  |  X: @f...

Tony, Anthony, and Brian have spent years in the trenches together, building products, solving tough problems, and growing as leaders who care deeply about people and craft. In this conversation, they unpack what it means to create moments of real delight for users and the teams behind the work. From early design sparks to final handoffs, it's a look at how trust, collaboration, and shared history can turn good ideas into unforgettable experiences.

----

Check out more exciting episodes on the Funsize Show Website.

Web: www.funsize.co. |  Linkedin: Funsize Design  |  Instagram: @funsizeco  |  X: @f...

Artist Dawn Okoro shares her winding path from law school to Meow Wolf, blending art, identity, and mental wellness. We talk career pivots, creative blocks, dream sculptures, and how she’s redefining success—plus a quick-fire round of Texas pride and fun surprises.

To watch the video version of this podcast, head over to our YouTube channel here

----

Check out more exciting episodes on the Funsize Show Website.

Web: www.funsize.co. |  Linkedin: Funsize Design  |  Instagram: @funsizeco  |  X: @funsize 

Linkedin: Funsize Design

Anthony spends the day with Funsize Partner and Head of Design, Lee Brenner. Between a round of board games at Vigilante and drinks at Draught House, they talk about Lee’s life story—from his early days to his design career—and the things that bring him joy. It’s an honest, laid-back look at what fuels one of Funsize’s most imaginative minds.

To watch the video version of this podcast, head over to our YouTube channel here

----

Check out more exciting episodes on the Funsize Show Website.

Web: www.funsiz...

In this episode of Currents, the Funsize team takes a break from their usual client projects to bond and recharge during Method Week. The hosts and guests discuss the origins and evolution of Method Week, highlighting activities designed to foster creativity, teamwork, and self-development. From letterpress printing and game shows to laser cutting and chocolate-cheese tastings, the team shares fun anecdotes and insights from their time together. They also reflect on past Method Weeks, the benefits of taking time off, and plans for future immersive experiences.

To see the examples referenced during this conversation, head over to...

In this episode of Currents Tony Sanchez discusses various design-related topics with guests Dina Williams, Tarica Phung Navarro, and Jack Willis. They explore their personal creative processes, the impact of AI on design, and the potential future of tools like Figma. The discussion includes anecdotes about past experiences, thoughts on the integration of AI in creative work, and how emerging technologies may shape the future of design. Key themes include the balance between human creativity and AI assistance, the importance of maintaining wonder and curiosity, and the evolving role of designers in an increasingly AI-driven world.

To...

Meet Natalie, Nicole, and Brooke, the hosts of Honestly, Honesty. In this first episode, they share their story, reflect on the inspiration behind the show, and offer a glimpse into the honest, unfiltered conversations ahead.

To watch the video version of this podcast, head over to our YouTube channel here

----

Check out more exciting episodes on the Funsize Show Website.

Web: www.funsize.co. |  Linkedin: Funsize Design  |  Instagram: @funsizeco  |  X: @funsize 

Linkedin: Funsize Design

What does it mean to lead with both vision and craft? In this episode, Lee Brenner—Partner and Head of Design at Funsize—shares how he navigates the complexities of leadership while staying rooted in hands-on design work. He reflects on the evolving role of a design leader, the balance between delegation and doing, and the responsibility of keeping a business creatively and operationally strong. From his early days as a computer science graduate and engineer to building a career in design, Lee opens up about the moments that shaped him, the challenges that keep him curious, and what it t...

Tony, Andre, Edgar, and Esteban break down 8 design trends and predictions for 2025. We’re talking about what’s gaining traction, why it’s exciting, and where we’re already seeing it in the industry and our work. From bold aesthetics to fresh takes on interaction and usability, we dive into what’s shaping the future of design. Expect hot takes, real-world examples, and maybe even a few debates. What trends are you seeing? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

To see the examples referenced during this conversation, head over to our YouTube channel to view the video version he...

In this episode of Currents, Tony Sanchez, Design Director at Funsize, gathers a team of designers to discuss their recent website redesign. Hear from Esteban Marquez, Natalie Armendariz, Andre Jurgensen, Lee Brenner, and Dina Williams as they walk through the project’s journey—from inception to completion.

They share:

Links & Resources:

In this episode of Currents, Tony Sanchez, Design Director at Funsize, leads a discussion reflecting on 2024 and looking ahead to 2025. Team members Brooke Pippins, Lee Brenner, and Mari Chamoun share personal highlights and professional insights, discussing challenges like stress management, client expectations, and the integration of AI in design. They explore emerging trends such as the need for designers to acquire PM skills, the rise of no-code platforms, and innovations in health tech and autonomous vehicles. The conversation emphasizes adaptability, the evolving role of AI, and the importance of maintaining a human touch in design.

Follow Funsize...

On this episode throwback, we discuss:

In this episode, we sit down with Heather Korczynski, a dedicated pop-culture aficionado and UX Lead at IBM. Heather offers a deep dive into her life—discussing her role at IBM, her passion for Austin FC, and her aspirations of launching her own business. We explore her growth journey, covering the importance of community, the value of tackling new challenges, and how she balances her career with evolving interests. Heather also shares her excitement about recent pop culture highlights, like the buzz around the Barbenheimer double feature, and reveals her approach to continually learning new skills, from advanced design te...

In this episode, Nina Sanchez, Tony Sanchez, Bobby Dixon, and Nhi Nguyen delve into the Big Little Poster Show, exploring its value for Austin's design community, sharing personal connections with food, and uncovering the inspiration behind Bobby and Nhi's desire to get involved. They discuss how the show brings together a diverse group of designers and creators, fostering a unique space for collaboration, creativity, and community. Each guest shares their perspective on the relationship between design and food culture, revealing how flavors, colors, and textures inspire their creative processes. Bobby and Nhi share their excitement about the works these...

In this episode, Tony and Anthony explore the nuanced distinctions between good and beautiful design. They consider the subjectivity of beauty, influenced by cultural and individual preferences, and the importance of usability and business objectives and what constitutes “good” design. Citing a mobile game that succeeds commercially and the unconventional design of the Cybertruck, they underline the tension between aesthetics and functionality. The conversation shifts to natural phenomena like the Northern Lights and the balance between awe-inspiring visuals and the tendency to overlook everyday wonders.

Follow Tony and Anthony on 

X: Tony Sanchez Anthony Armendariz

...

In this episode, we chat with Brian Simpson, a creative professional who took the leap from Florida to Austin, Texas, back in 2008. Brian started in flash design and later co-founded an experiential design agency, showcasing incredible innovation and adaptability along the way. We’ll hear about his work on high-profile projects, including a groundbreaking app for Rupert Murdoch, and dive into the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Things get personal as we discuss how parenthood and a pandemic-inspired move to small-town Wimberley have shaped his journey. We’ll also explore Brian’s latest passion project, Small Town Locals, which is all...

Ten years ago, Funsize launched the Hustle Podcast. Since then, we have had nearly one hundred conversations with exciting people in the design industry.

Today, we're excited to announce and discuss the next generation of the Funsize podcasting, The Funsize Show!

This podcast, now rebranded as The Funsize Show, is a variety show with many exciting segments hosted by many brilliant people at Funsize. The content will span the gamut of design leadership to design expertise, conversations with our clients about our relationship and our work, taking risks and trying new things, fun and inspiring...

Juliana Vislova is the VP of Design at Mercury, an all-in-one banking platform for startups. A former linguistics major, Juliana is career switcher who spent time as an art director for a digital marketing agency before her design career. After moving to the U.S., she stumbled upon product design and immediately loved its intersection of pscyhology, art, storytelling and problem-solving. Her design path has taken her from the founding designer at Mercury to now leading a team of 20. 

In this episode we cover: 

During our party for SXSW 2022, we interviewed designers and tech workers to understand how their careers were affected by the pandemic and what it means for their futures. We'd like to extend a huge thanks to Johnny Abowd, Carlos Menchaca, Dina Williams, Ali Metall, AC Cowart, Steven Parvaresh, Rick Messer, Isabelle Encela, Steven Ray and Katy Beightol for sharing their perspectives on this unique episode. 

In this episode we cover:

V...

Brian Peterson is a a multidisciplinary creator supporting, connecting, and empowering organizations through strategic design. Brian’s background is in fine arts with a brief stint in animation/illustration. His path to design has taken him through freelance visual design, to a founding team startup, to the design studio at Funsize. Currently, he leads design teams at Affirm, where he works to bring honest financial products to the world.

Brian is a strong believer in collaboration and he sees design as a vehicle for connecting people and transforming organizations. When not thinking about design management, operations, methodologies, et...

Kevin Hawkins is the director of product design at BookClub—an online platform that brings authors and readers together. He is also an award-winning, multi-disciplinary design leader and educator with over 12 years of experience building communities and launching products.

Kevin is a self-taught front-end developer and started his career doing freelance web design for local businesses and science NGOs in his home town: Washington D.C. He transitioned to his first full-time job in UX at 16. Since then, he's been a UX leader for Booking.com, PwC, EY, Gap Inc., and more. 

Kevin now resides in...

Michael Holzer is the director of UX at Google Payments and has been at Google for over eight years. He is a passionate, entrepreneurial design leader currently focused on building and operating large-scale creative teams working on new mediums and technologies.

Michael grew up in Silicon Valley and started his career studying mechanical engineering and industrial design by prototyping bicycle helmets for Bell Sports. After dropping out, he pivoted to designing irrigation systems for a landscape architecture firm and soon found himself exploring and learning more about web design while working on the company's first website.

Alli Metall is a husband, father, and designer living in Reykjavík, Iceland. He was born in Húsavík, Iceland--a small town on the northern coast (also famed as the setting of Netflix's Eurovision Song Contest). He began his career playing guitar in death metal and jazz bands and soon combined his interests in music and computer games to a career in design. After a brief agency stint as an intern in New York City, he returned home to work at a game company, a fin-tech startup, and an airline. Nowadays, Alli is the owner, founder, and creator of...

Aaron “Ron” Irizarry, is the Sr. Director, Servicing Platforms Design at Capital One. He loves all things user experience, problem-solving, and design process. Having worked for Fox/IGN, HP, Nasdaq, and now Capital One, Aaron loves sinking his teeth into complex problems. In addition to his day job, Aaron speaks at events and provides training for companies on design team structure, communication, and collaboration. He is also the co-author of Discussing Design.

Most importantly, Aaron is a master of the BBQ arts, a lover and player of heavy metal music, and a lifelong Dodgers fan.

In t...

In this first episode with Tony Sanchez as an official co-host, we were honored to be joined by a design legend. 

Toke Nygaard is the Chief Creative Officer at Zendesk. With more than 20 years of experience designing digital experiences, Toke Nygaard oversees Zendesk’s brand and product UX/UI. In this role, he is constantly developing and building the Zendesk brand with his global team of passionate creatives, keeping the product experience true to its origins of being simple and easy to use. 

Before joining Zendesk, Toke was a founding partner of one of the larg...

For the last episode recorded in 2020, we flip the spotlight onto our founders, Anthony and Natalie Armendariz, to walk us through the challenging, chaotic and — at times — exciting journey that was 2020. In a year that provided surprises and obstacles for just about every human being on the planet, we wanted to tell our agency's part of the story. We hope you enjoy.

We cover:

Ted Boda is currently a Product Design Manager on the Well-Being team at Instagram. He is also a former Director of Design at Udacity, former Senior Designer at Nest Labs, former Lead Mobile Designer at Netflix and a former Lead UI Designer for Keynote at Apple (where, interestingly enough, he worked on some of the slides used for Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth). With all that experience to draw on, we loved having Ted on the show — for a second time — to hear what he's been up to and gain some insight into how design management is done at one...

Margaret Lee is the Director of UX Community & Culture at Google. A self-described "reluctant leader," she heads up programs that unite departments across the company and create Google career opportunities for those who might not typically have access. Margaret created this role for herself a few years ago when she noticed there was an opportunity to put more intention behind efforts of inclusion and community within Google. After a manger's encouragement, she took a leap of faith and began sharing her passions on-stage. She hasn't looked back since. 

We cover: 

Braden Kowitz is a former design partner at Google Ventures, where he had the opportunity to work with startups like ClassPass, Gusto, Slack, Medium, Flatiron Health, TuneIn, BlueBottle Coffee, 23andMe, One Medical Group, HubSpot, RetailMeNot, Nest and more.  He is the co-author of NY Times Best Seller, Sprint, and the co-founder of Range, a tool that keeps teams connected and productive. We're extremely grateful to Braden for sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with us. Get your notepads out for this one! 

We cover:

Douglas Ferguson is an entrepreneur and human-centered technologist with over 20 years of experience. He is the founder and president of Voltage Control, an Austin-based facilitation agency that specializes in helping teams work better together through participatory decision making and design inspired facilitation techniques. He has helped transform teams from U.S. SOCOM, the Air Force, Adobe, Dropbox, Fidelity, Vrbo, Liberty Mutual, Humana, and SAIC. We really appreciated hearing Douglas's thoughts on facilitation in the era of COVID and are excited to see what's next for Voltage Control. 

We cover: 

In a first for The Hustle, we're tackling important subject matter outside the realm of design. In a conversation led by our Guest Host, Tony Sanchez, a Design Lead at Funsize, Chas Moore joined us to discuss the public outcry and wave of activism in the wake of George Floyd's murder. Chas is the Executive Director of Austin Justice Coalition, an activist-led organization that educates and builds community power for people of color who live in Austin, Texas. We're extremely grateful to have him on the show to provide insight into this important time in American history. 

W...

Note: We apologize for the audio quality. There was an issue with the microphone.

Justin is a multi-faceted, multi-pierced, multi-tattooed designer, author, and speaker. He wrote the book "Cultivating a Creative Culture", is the Vice President of Human-Centered Design and Development at bswift, the founder of The Dead Pixel Society, and a contributor to A List Apart. Justin had some really intuitive viewpoints on culture that were awesome to dig into and it was a pleasure having him on the show. 

We cover:

Funsize friend, Chad Engle, is the Product Design Director at GoDaddy, a company that is rapidly expanding its product offerings and leaning into design with a focus on in-house talent.  He stopped by to share his experience growing design orgs, explain what he looks for in applicants, and provide some insight into how he approaches leadership.

We cover:

Note: We recorded this one before COVID began, so some references (like to our SXSW party) did not come to fruition.

Theo Strauss is an 18-year-old product designer out of NYC who's already making waves in the community through his involvement with companies like Apple, Postmates, and Figma. As someone on the bleeding edge of a new generation of designers, we loved having him on the show to share some of his thoughts on where the industry is heading and how young people are getting involved. 

We cover:

Note: We apologize for the audio quality. There was an issue with the microphone.

Ash Huang is a designer, illustrator, author, speaker, artist and parent who currently works at Adobe. After finding design at a young age, Ash's career has spanned a wide variety of well-known companies and different pursuits that have left her with some fascinating views on accomplishment, progress, staying curious and more. It took us a while to get this one on the books but the conversation was totally worth it. 

We cover:

Helen Tran is a designer, CEO, hobbyist writer, traveler and macaroon connoisseur (amongst other things). In this wide-ranging episode, we discuss everything from software design, business ownership and bodybuilding, to wealth and weird Texan habits.

We cover:

Visit the...

Guigo Sanchez is the Creative Director at THIRD EAR — previously known as LatinWorks — an agency that specializes in creating advertising for the U.S. Hispanic audience. Born and raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, he is the husband of Mari Chamoun (Managing Director at Funsize), and father to Julia Elena Sánchez Chamoun. After completing his psychology degree in Puerto Rico, Guigo moved to Austin to study advertising and decided to stay forever (for now). He enjoys dad life, music, computers, food and personal finance.

In this episode, we discuss:

Thomas Ewart is an Associate Product Designer at Funsize, where he works with startups and enterprise design teams to craft thoughtful digital experiences. With a non-traditional career path that spans accounting, tattoos and electronic music, Thomas brings a unique perspective to his work and enjoys helping others find their place in the design world. 

Visit the Funsize website
Subscribe to T...