Summary
In this engaging session, a panel comprising design leaders Adam, Ian, and others shares insights into crucial aspects of the design profession. They discuss effective hiring interview questions, emphasizing the importance of understanding a designer's thought process and problem-solving techniques. The panelists address the challenges and solutions of managing globally distributed teams, highlighting the significance of communication tools and collaborative workshops. They explore the intricacies of career development within design, including how to effectively assess skills through one-on-one interactions and provide constructive feedback. Additionally, they tackle the often problematic issue of job titles in the design industry and the need for clarity and simplicity. Overall, the discussion is rich with practical insights for aspiring and current design professionals in navigating their careers and leading teams effectively.
Key Insights
-
•
The best hiring question is to ask candidates to show their design process and articulate their thoughts.
-
•
Effective remote team management requires collaboration tools and a strong understanding of cultural nuances.
-
•
Career growth in design relies on understanding organizational values and creating a pitch that aligns personal goals with company needs.
-
•
Constructive feedback should be delivered in one-on-one settings to ensure clarity and support personal development.
-
•
Job titles in design can often distract from the actual work, and focus should shift toward impact and contribution.
Notable Quotes
"Can you show me your thought process? That's really critical."
"What is the problem that you're trying to solve?"
"I love it when they give examples of bad approaches and explain why."
"You can't be too dogmatic about the message; have a good story that people can retell."
"You really need strong players in the region to manage global teams effectively."
"Folks in the region often have divided loyalty between global teams and local teams."
"If you're providing a solution, people want to know the next steps to get better."
"What you need to focus on is how to help people connect with what they're making."
"Don't be cool; be good."
"Invest in leading and managing your teams; they need your support."
More Videos
"Every organization has unique constraints that shape how we define success."
Kristin Skinner Kamdyn MooreGroup Activity: A Deep Dive Into Value and Outcomes
October 23, 2019
"The broader framing here is about enhancing our thinking through effective note-taking."
Jorge ArangoThe Best of Both Worlds: How to Integrate Paper and Digital Notes (1st of 3 seminars) (Videoconference)
April 5, 2024
"The synthesis process is about finding order in chaos."
Prabhas Pokharel Mayo NissenOrder and Chaos: New Ways of Collaborating on Synthesis and Storytelling
March 10, 2022
"Understanding that people with disabilities choose the right tool for the job is key for developers."
Sam ProulxMobile Accessibility: Why Moving Accessibility Beyond the Desktop is Critical in a Mobile-first World
March 10, 2022
"We want our research to drive decisions, not just be a box checked off."
Roberta Dombrowski Sam Duong WoloszynskiMaking Research a Team Sport
March 11, 2022
"Our projects are often boxed in, linear models that hinder deeper systemic exploration."
Josina VinkNavigating the pitfalls of systems thinking in service design
December 4, 2024
"Our profession is undergoing shifts that go beyond our control, but we can identify leverage points to create change."
Angelos ArnisNavigating the Rapid Shifts in Tech's Turbulent Terrain
October 2, 2023
"What kinds of tools would help facilitate customer loyalty?"
Ted NewardTheme 4: Enterprise Organizational Journey
June 4, 2019
"Reflecting and validating the experience of change is super important."
Maria SkaadenPanel Discussion: Methodologies and Work Environments
November 8, 2018
