Behind The Mic With The Host Of Design Nerds Anonymous

What does it take to be a design nerd? ThinkLab founder and president Amanda Schneider has certainly earned the title. Schneider, who hosts the Design Nerds Anonymous podcast on the SURROUND Podcast Network—home to the leading shows from design’s greatest storytellers—spends her days diving into the latest design research. From exploring meaningful shifts in the industry to getting curious about design pain points, Design Nerds Anonymous serves as a forum where thought leaders and hard data come together, offering invaluable insights into the current climate—and what’s next.

Read on to learn more about Schneider’s approach to the show, where she finds fresh inspiration, and her bold prediction on what’s to come. Don’t miss the new season of Design Nerds Anonymous, which premiers April 3, 2025.

Amanda Schneider Talks Podcasting and What’s Next In Design

Amanda Schneider, host of Design Nerds Anonymous.

SURROUND: Can you share the story behind Design Nerds Anonymous?

Amanda Schnieder: Design Nerds Anonymous was born from a passion for bridging the gap between the business and creative sides of the design industry. Coming from a product design background, I saw firsthand how disconnected the ‘product side’ and ‘interior design side’ could be—and I’ve spent my career researching how to close that gap. This podcast does the same, sparking curiosity at the intersection of business and design through candid conversations, expert insights, and bold ideas.

We bring in thought-provoking guests—from trailblazing industry leaders to unexpected outside experts—to challenge perspectives and ignite fresh thinking. Our listeners say we deliver the most insights per minute of any podcast—and we aim to live up to that review with every episode. We’re here for the curious, the ambitious, and, of course, the proudly nerdy.

Want to learn more about the latest industry research and disrupters? Listen to the Design Nerds Anonymous podcast.

SURROUND: What do you hope listeners take away from your show?

A.S.: What’s most rewarding is when our storytelling with data helps a listener rethink an assumption or find unexpected inspiration that pushes them to think bigger and differently. We believe the biggest industry disruptions won’t come from new products but from smarter processes that remove friction and elevate the client experience.

That’s why we dive into the forces reshaping the design world—like the future of work, Gen Z’s impact on the industry, and  the evolution of how clients make decisions. Whether it’s a fresh take from an industry leader or an unexpected insight from an outsider, we’re here to challenge the status quo and spark conversations that drive real change.

SURROUND: What’s something new you’ve learned through your podcast?

A.S.: One of the most eye-opening episodes we’ve done—and my personal favorite—was with Hannah Grady Williams, where we explored how we build relationships in today’s evolving workplace. This conversation feels more relevant than ever because we’re seeing a growing divide—as we look at the future of work and we bridge generational differences in this increasingly hybrid era. But ThinkLab data backs this up, showing a growing gap in our industry between designers and reps. For example, 89% of Gen Z designers say relationships within their company are important, but only 59% say industry relationships matter.

As hybrid and remote work changes how we communicate, and as Gen Z reshapes workplace culture, we have to rethink how we connect—not just with clients, but with each other. While we continue diving into ways to bridge this gap, the conversation with Hannah offered a key insight: relationships are evolving, and if we don’t adapt, we risk losing the connections that make design better. Learn more by tuning in here.

Schneider interviewing a guest for an episode of Design Nerds Anonymous.

SURROUND: Where do you find ideas and inspiration for new episodes?

A.S.: We’re constantly listening—to the data, to our audience, and to the broader shifts happening in and around our industry. Some of our most compelling episodes have come from unexpected sources: a casual conversation with a design firm leader, a surprising research finding, or even a challenge a listener brings to us. Most importantly, we look for pain points. Where there’s pain, there’s opportunity. Whether it’s inefficiencies in the design process, shifts in how clients make decisions, or generational divides in the workplace, we zero in on the tension—then seek fresh inspiration, often from outside the industry, to help solve it.

SURROUND: We know Design Nerds Anonymous is just one part of your current work. What else are you up to? 

A.S.: We’re kicking off a ton of exciting research projects for 2025, diving into the biggest shifts shaping the design industry. Here’s what’s on our radar: The Gen Z Cohort, which is the industry’s first advisory board focused on closing the gap between reps and specifiers; research on the future of client decision-making, centered on how specification is evolving with key insights; not to mention an updated Personas Study looking at how architects, designers, distributors, and end users make decisions today. Other projects include examining the shifting role of showrooms, sustainability initiatives, as well as AI’s role in the future of design.

SURROUND: What are your earliest memories of architecture and design?

A.S.: My journey into design started with a conversation that completely changed my perspective. I met Annemarie Conrado, a designer at a Chicago-based consultancy, who described her job in a way that instantly hooked me. She said, “One day, I’m designing a baby’s bath seat, so I have to observe a mother bathing her baby. Another day, I’m designing a scuba mask, so I have to take scuba lessons. Every day is a new adventure.” That idea of diving deep into different worlds to create better products fascinated me.

From there, I interned at Procter & Gamble, where I fell in love with research—specifically, the magic of focus groups and the process of uncovering insights that drive great design. That early exposure to both the creative and analytical sides of the industry set the foundation for everything I do today. The rest is history!

SURROUND: What’s an unexpected source of design inspiration and how do you translate that spark?

A.S.: I find the best design inspiration outside the industry—because we can’t solve the same problems by doing the same things. The biggest breakthroughs come from looking at how others have tackled similar pain points and translating their approach into our world.

SURROUND: What’s one bold design prediction you’d make for the next 10 years?

A.S.: The biggest disruption in design over the next 10 years won’t come from product innovation—it will come from process innovation. If we look outside the industry, the biggest game-changers didn’t just make better products; they reinvented the experience. Uber didn’t build a better taxi—they made getting from A to B seamless. Airbnb didn’t build a better hotel—they reimagined how we find a place to stay. The design industry is primed for a similar shift.

Editor’s note: Want to know more about how you can get involved in ThinkLab research? Reach out.