Design, Failure & Second Skin | Aryaman Jacob on the Real Life of a Founder

Today on Founders Mindset Unfiltered, we sit down with Aryaman Jacob, design consultant and creator of the wearable tech project Second Skin.

Aryaman opens up about inclusive design, the messy realities of the design process, why AI can’t replace human creativity, and the emotional rollercoaster of showing clients work they didn’t love.

We also talk about the truth behind entrepreneurship, the challenges of being “your own boss,” and why he’s building tech to reduce pain for blue-collar workers.

A candid conversation about creativity, resilience, and designing for real people.

🎧 Real stories. Real lessons. Unfiltered.

Follow Aryaman Jacob:Website: https://design-kind.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryamanjacob/Follow us on Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersmindsetunfiltered/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jaATPGyltz7WTFOB6LyWF?si=b05c54cbf6184cbbTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foundermindsetpodcast

00:00 – AI, Design and Job Security
00:32 – How Users React to Prototypes
01:00 – Entrepreneurship Misconceptions
01:27 – Introducing the Second Skin Project
02:09 – Podcast Introduction and Guest Bio
03:19 – Origin Story of Designkind
04:29 – What Inclusive Design Means
05:17 – Physical vs Digital Design Challenges
06:10 – Hardest Projects and Problem-Solving
07:09 – What an Interaction Designer Actually Does
09:12 – Research, Ethics and Accessibility in Design
10:04 – AI in the Design Workflow
12:32 – Using AI in Research and Synthetic Users
14:05 – Full Design Process: Research to Launch
17:15 – User Testing Surprises and Feedback Loops
19:22 – Emotional Detachment From Your Product
20:20 – Why Aryaman Chose Entrepreneurship
23:28 – Best and Worst Parts of Being an Entrepreneur
26:23 – Past Startup Experience: Designer Sharet
29:01 – Returning to Employment After a Startup
31:03 – Deep Dive Into Second Skin
33:35 – Real-World Insights: Pain, Weather and Injuries
34:51 – Academic Backing and Conference Paper
35:27 – How the Idea of Second Skin Started
37:38 – Market Opportunity for Wearable Tech
38:32 – Will Second Skin Be Affordable?
40:00 – Why Big Tech Overcharges
42:25 – How the Sleeve Works: Sensors, Heating, Cooling
45:51 – Medical Backing and Physiotherapy Input
46:50 – B2B vs B2C Strategy
48:14 – Funding Second Skin
49:04 – What Happens If Funding Fails
51:44 – Risks That Could Kill Second Skin
52:50 – Future Versions (Lower Limbs, Full Body Wearables)
54:40 – How Designkind Works With Clients
57:01 – Handling Bad Patches and Burnout
59:10 – Maintaining Work–Life Balance
01:00:09 – Aryaman’s 2-Minute Pitch
01:01:46 – Aryaman’s Pain Points and Call for Support
01:04:14 – How to Contact Designkind
01:05:10 – Closing Message and Podcast Updates