DesignQA with Rodrigo Leles

In this episode of the Design QA Podcast, Mahdi Farra sits down with Rodrigo Leles, a seasoned product designer with 15+ years of experience. Rodrigo shares his unconventional journey from fixing computers in Brazil to working with global tech companies like IFTTT.

They discuss how Rodrigo broke through imposter syndrome, the power of connecting with engineers, and his practical approach to quality assurance — one that’s less about fancy tools and more about relationships and clear communication. Rodrigo also explains how he built a practical design library that improved consistency, sped up delivery, and cut down design bugs — all without getting stuck in design system jargon.

The episode wraps up with a live design critique of Cobalt, an experimental video download tool, where Rodrigo points out smart, simple UX improvements.

If you’re a designer who obsesses over details, or wants to, you’ll walk away with practical ideas you can try today.

––

• DesignQA.com — Automate your design QA process.

• Mahdi’s LinkedIn — Let's get connected!

Connect with Rodrigo

• Rodrigo’s Portfolio

• Rodrigo’s YouTube Channel — Stereosphere

✉️ Want to be on the show?

Got strong opinions about design QA? Reach out: [e-mail]

---

Keywords: design QA, design systems, product design, UX, workflow, imposter syndrome, design critique, designer stories