Robb Nielsen’s Post

Thought provoking FC article on the future of design leadership! In an era where design thinking and understanding customer journeys remains fundamental to shaping the products and experiences we encounter daily, the landscape of design leadership is undergoing a profound transformation. As pioneers like IDEO, renowned for their innovative design thinking methodologies, undergo restructuring, a new generation of design leaders is emerging, tasked with grappling not only with the future of design but also with redefining the role of design in business strategy. What are your experiences navigating the changing landscape of design leadership? How do you envision the future role of design in shaping businesses? 

Very good piece on the seismic shift of how design is playing the part in product. Pressure is on for employers to find the right model for engaging design leadership/talent and for designers at all levels to find the orgs and even employment structures that enable them to have the best output. Check out me and the other amazing leaders on Neol.co In house teams are shrinking. Consultancies are being atomized. Independent networks might be shifting power to people. My profile on Neol.co https://lnkd.in/eSU5GtqQ

Investing in #design leadership can significantly benefit organizations by fostering a culture of #innovation, enhancing team performance, and improving #customersatisfaction. It involves integrating #designthinking into leadership practices, promoting #diversity, and focusing on #humancentered leadership. This approach can lead to more #creative, #inclusive, and effective design solutions, ultimately contributing to the organisation’s #success. #performanceimprovement #growth #innovation #upskilling

Design leaders are in their reinvention era, according to a Fast Company article shared by Martina Caiazzo. Imposter syndrome is a common feeling among designers during this time. The article highlights the importance of embracing this reinvention era and using it as an opportunity for growth. Thank you, Martina, for sharing this insightful piece. #designleadership #reinventionera #growthopportunities

Why Design Deserves a Seat at the Leadership Table... Imagine a company where designers sit alongside executives, influencing decisions that propel the organization to new heights. At Dreamstricken, we believe this vision is essential for modern business success. Here’s how to make it a reality: 1. The Value of Design Thinking: Design thinking fosters innovation and practical, user-centric solutions. Incorporating it into leadership enhances strategic direction and drives better outcomes. 2. Beyond Aesthetic Principles: Elevate design leaders who integrate design principles into organizational strategy. This makes design a key component of decision-making, not an afterthought. 3. Moving Away from Design as a Service: Bring design leaders into early-stage discussions and strategic planning. This fosters collaboration and aligns design with business goals from the start. 4. Strategic Decision-Making with Design Input: Ensure design leaders have a voice in decisions like event sponsorships and marketing strategies. This leads to more informed and effective strategies. 5. Collaboration Over Handoffs: Involve designers early to avoid fragmented processes. Early collaboration results in cohesive and effective outcomes. At Dreamstricken, we’re committed to elevating design to the leadership table. Doing so harnesses its full potential, driving innovation and achieving strategic objectives. Design isn't just about aesthetics—it’s about shaping experiences, solving problems, and driving success. Join us in this transformation and let’s empower organizations to thrive. Connect with Dreamstricken for more insights on elevating design in leadership. #Leadership #DesignThinking #Innovation #BusinessStrategy #Collaboration #Branding #DesignLeadership #UserExperience #Dreamstricken #StrategicDesign

What do you call a room full of experience design leaders? A feedback loop! Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week. Many thanks to Grant Show and Design Outlook for hosting an awesome day of excellent presentations and thoughtful discussions around design leadership. It is a rare experience to have such a large group of talented and inspiring individuals in one place, all in the interest of throwing some extremely thought-provoking material at them and seeing what happens! (NOTE: Good things. Good things happen.) If you weren't there (you should be next time), the highlights included: - Discussing the cycle of design in business, and Erietta Sapounakis asking us what makes the new Design Leader. We banded together on the despair of having lack of visibility in the workplace, balanced with the joy of having an "on-season" and being in the limelight - and how to identify when to hold and when to grow. - Rachel Zhang tied us to the tracks with the oncoming freight train of AI and design - and holding wonderful debate which swung between cautious optimism and the doom of creativity.  - Retro design (not to be confused with Design Retro) - where Sarah Stokes had us look to the past to help us imagine the bright future of design (we were right all along!). More than anything though, it was an opportunity to geek out with like-minds around psychology, design, experience and the people that tie it all together. Can't wait for the next one! #experiencedesign #designleadership #designoutlook

If you want to scale Design significantly, there’s a trade-off When you focus on scaling headcount, quality and creativity don’t tend to correlate well (in most cases) When you increase headcount + production, volume will likely increase But without effective leadership & planning: - it is easy to lose control - it can all become a bit chaotic - silos & inconsistencies start to appear - process is often not adhered to / reviewed - quality consistency typically flies out the window - design becomes a service rather than part of a strategy The only way I think it really works is by flipping the mindset of what scaling Design means From → increasing the number of Designers To → increasing the number of people in the organisation that adopt ‘Design mindsets’ wherever they sit To me that’s the only way for Design to truly scale sustainably ———— ** just speaking from what I have seen and the conversations I’ve had. Happy to be challenged on this! #Design #Leadership #Scale

Ever wonder what separates good designers from design leaders? 🤔 It's not just about talent. It's about mastering the crucial skills of design leadership. 📣 Calling all UX Designers, Creative Directors, Design Managers, Product Designers, and Founders! Struggling to: 🎨 Clearly define design problems? 🌐 Think strategically across the design ecosystem? 💡 Communicate your design ideas with impact? 🔥 Embrace disruption to drive innovation? This workshop is YOUR solution! After the tremendous success of Cohort 1, we are coming back. Join Cohort 2 of The Design Leadership Workshop and unlock the secrets used by top design leaders! led by the incredible Saurabh Gupta, a Top 50 Most Innovative Leader, you'll learn from the best! Here's why Saurabh Gupta is your ultimate design mentor: 🔹 20+ years of experience crafting award-winning UX solutions for startups and Fortune 500 companies. 🔹 Author for top publications like The Economic Times and The Financial Express. 🔹 A master at integrating design and innovation into company culture. Don't miss out on this limited-time offer! ⏰ Early Bird Discount: Get a massive 74% off and secure your spot for just ₹3,999! (Original price ₹14,999) An intimate batch of only 26 people. Seats filling fast. ⏳ Reserve your spot now. Click: https://lnkd.in/dQ_26rjg

The Fast Company article titled "Design leaders are in their reinvention era" discusses how design professionals are navigating significant shifts in their industry. The article highlights several key points: ✅ Evolving Roles and Responsibilities: Design leaders are increasingly taking on broader roles that go beyond traditional design tasks. They are becoming integral to strategic decision-making and influencing company culture and direction. ✅ Integration with Technology: The rapid advancement of technology, especially in AI and automation, is reshaping the design landscape. Designers must adapt to these changes and leverage new tools to stay relevant and innovative. ✅ Emphasis on Sustainability and Ethics: There is a growing focus on sustainable and ethical design practices. Design leaders are prioritizing environmental impact and ethical considerations in their work, reflecting broader societal values. ✅ Collaboration Across Disciplines: Successful design today often requires collaboration across various disciplines. Design leaders are working closely with engineers, data scientists, and business strategists to create holistic solutions. ✅ Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The article emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation for design professionals. Staying updated with industry trends, technologies, and methodologies is crucial for maintaining relevance and driving innovation. Overall, the article portrays a dynamic and evolving field where design leaders must be versatile, forward-thinking, and collaborative to thrive in the modern landscape. This article really helped me validate my thoughts about the future of design leadership. #future #design #designleadership

Design needs to get better at saying no Too often the need to be: - accepted // valued - integrated // understood - etc inside organisations mean that Design takes on more than it should We enters areas & projects where in reality, it is just fighting an ongoing losing battle The client accounts in which I have seen the most success have been those where go & no go decisions have been made strategically Where we have gone deep and chosen areas of the business to work with and mature rather than spreading Designers too thinly Design leaders are still being asked to do more with less So we need to be intentional in looking at where Design can have success and impact It’s hard when the demand is coming in and you want to please But saying no protects the team — it sets boundaries — it shows maturity If we can’t significantly influence an area If we can’t create change If we have no impact on the roadmap Say no We need to get to a place where the tick box is not just in having a designer in the room It is having a designer there that has a voice and adds value #Design #DesignLeadership #DesignMaturity