Episode · Lenny's Podcast · 2025-10-16

Lenny Rachitsky & Dylan Field: books mentioned on Lenny's Podcast

Figma’s CEO: Why AI makes design, craft, and quality the new moat for startups | Dylan Field

3 books · With Dylan Field · Listen · Watch on YouTube

Dylan Field is co-founder and CEO of Figma, a beloved tool used by every modern product team. Founded in 2012, Figma has expanded from a single design tool to a comprehensive platform including FigJam, Slides, Dev Mode, and, most recently, Figma Make.

Dylan Field recommended The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre, Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud, and Codex Seraphinianus by Luigi Serafini.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   The Spy and the Traitor

   Ben Macintyre · at 1:18:48

   The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre is a gripping nonfiction narrative chronicling the real-life exploits of Oleg Gordievsky, a high-ranking KGB officer who operated as a double agent for British intelligence during the Cold War.

   Recommended

   “The Spy and the Trader. Uh that's whatever hard situation you're going through. You read that book and you're like, "Okay, could be worse."”

   Dylan Field Figma’s CEO: Why AI makes design, craft, and quality the new moat for … 2025-10-16 Listen at 1:18:48

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
2. 

   Understanding Comics

   Scott McCloud · at 1:18:59

   Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud is a seminal nonfiction book that uses the very medium it analyzes to explain the history, structure, and psychological impact of comic books.

   Recommended

   “Um and then understanding comics, it's I think just like a it's almost like an HCI book, but it's it seems like it's not.”

   Dylan Field Figma’s CEO: Why AI makes design, craft, and quality the new moat for … 2025-10-16 Listen at 1:18:59

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
3. 

   Codex Seraphinianus

   Luigi Serafini · at 1:19:26

   Recommended

   “Um have you heard of the codeex saraphinus? I'm not sure if I'm saying the safe second name right but not have not this guy Luigi Saraphini who I think um in the 70s did a lot of drugs and basically imagined an encyclopedia of another world.”

   Dylan Field Figma’s CEO: Why AI makes design, craft, and quality the new moat for … 2025-10-16 Listen at 1:19:26

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon