Everything from

Andy Budd

2 resources from Andy Budd we point founders to, and the questions each answers.

📄 Article
✓ Link checked Free Intermediate

Why we picked it Practical guidance from someone who has placed many founding designers, on when the hire actually pays off and how to run the process. It is specific about the signals that tell you it is time, rather than vague encouragement to hire early. Keep it for when a template genuinely stops being enough.

How to Hire Your First Founding Designer (and Not Regret It Later)

From Andy Budd by Andy Budd

  • Look for concrete signals of readiness, not a calendar date.
  • A founding designer needs range, not just craft.
  • Run a real process so you are not swayed by a pretty portfolio.
Open andybudd.com
✍️ Essay
✓ Link checked Free Intermediate

Why we picked it The counterargument worth hearing: that a strong designer earns their keep before polish, by shaping the product around real user needs. Reading it alongside the "wait" pieces keeps you honest about the tradeoff instead of anchoring on one side. Useful for deciding which kind of designer, if any, your problem calls for.

Everyone Talks About Product-Market Fit. A Good Designer Can Help You Find It.

From Andy Budd by Andy Budd

  • Design can be product strategy, not just decoration.
  • Bringing design in too late means polishing the wrong product.
  • The real question is what kind of designer, not just when.
Open andybudd.com
eChai Partner Brands