Most careers follow a path. Jude Pullen chose not to.

“I like being intellectually promiscuous; finding new tribes, then coming back with fresh ideas.”

In this episode of Why Design, Chris talks with Jude Pullen; creative technologist, prototyper, and storyteller. Jude’s career spans Dyson, Sugru, and Lego, with projects ranging from poetic air-quality monitors to complex hardware systems. Today, he splits his time between the RCA and Lego, while advising companies on technology, creativity, and play.

From challenging the myth of the “forever job” to reframing daydreaming as essential design work, Jude shares how portfolio careers unlock creative freedom, and why diversity, vulnerability, and playfulness are the real engines of innovation.

💬 Keep the conversation going! Join the community and go beyond the podcast! http://teamkodu.com/events

What You’ll Learn

💼 Why the “forever job” is outdated and what portfolio careers make possible

💭 How daydreaming and downtime can fuel serious innovation

🐦 The evolution of Jude’s open-source Good Air Canary project and why metaphors matter in design

🤝 The power (and challenge) of building truly diverse teams across age, class, and background

🌱 How vulnerability and “safe spaces” help unlock team creativity

☯️ Why design needs more debate, discomfort, and cross-pollination to thrive

🛠️ The role of prototyping not just products, but ideas and conversations

👉 Enjoying these insights? Don’t just listen, join the Why Design community. Connect with founders, engineers, and design leaders at teamkodu.com/events.

Memorable Quotes

💬 “I follow fear. Where there’s uncertainty in AI, diversity, sustainability, that’s where creativity lives.”

💬 “I’m not interested in the tech for its own sake. The question is: should we make this, and what are the consequences?”

💬 “Daydreaming is design practice. Busy isn’t the same as productive.”

💬 “The best teams aren’t homogenous, they’re messy, diverse, and sometimes uncomfortable.”

💬 “Play is underrated in business. If you want real breakthroughs, start with curiosity, not quarterly reports.”

Resources & Links

🌍 Connect with Jude Pullen on LinkedIn

🔗 Explore JudePullen.com

🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube

📸 Follow on Instagram

🎵 TikTok: @_whydesign

👥 Join the Why Design community → teamkodu.com/events

🔗 Follow Chris Whyte on LinkedIn

🎧 Listen to Why Design on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music whydesign.club

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About Kodu

Why Design is produced by Kodu, a recruitment partner to ambitious hardware brands, design consultancies, and product start-ups. We help founders and teams identify, attract, and hire the best talent in industrial design, mechanical engineering, and product leadership. Learn more at teamkodu.com