Summary
Sam Yen, Chief Design Officer for SAP, talks to Enterprise UX 2017 about how human-centered design is driving technology and ultimately, change within an organization.
Key Insights
-
•
Design should amplify human capabilities, not replace them
-
•
Innovative organizations combine creativity with execution
-
•
Executive sponsorship is critical but not enough; grassroots support matters
-
•
Design thinking emphasizes problem finding over problem solving
-
•
Organizations need a balance between successful design solutions and scaling creativity
-
•
Customer feedback is crucial for driving design processes
-
•
Cultural change is necessary to embed design thinking in organizations
-
•
Teaching non-designers about design principles can enhance organizational readiness
-
•
Diversity and inclusion are essential for a richer design perspective
-
•
Creating a legacy involves sharing design knowledge beyond elitist institutions.
Notable Quotes
"I took over the design and user experience role in 2012, my boss said, I'm not asking you anymore, you're taking over the role."
"In 2004, Hasso Plattner read that article just before his keynote and went totally off script to talk about design thinking."
"If you don't innovate, you're going to be disrupted."
"Design thinking is simply doing a little problem finding before problem solving."
"Talent hits a target that no one else can hit. Genius hits a target that no one else can see."
"You have to start by looking at some of the ratios."
"Space matters, but don't start with the space."
"You need to introduce new processes within your organization."
"Our customers showed us the need to engage in a different way."
"Let's work together on doing this."















More Videos

"Never underestimate your ability to change the world through design."
John MaedaMaking Sense of Enterprise UX
June 9, 2016

"Thinking styles are not horoscopes, they're not universal things."
Indi YoungThinking styles: Mend hidden cracks in your market
January 8, 2025

"Collaboration between data teams and design teams can create delightful experiences for customers."
Chris ChapoData Science and Design: A Tale of Two Tribes
May 13, 2015

"We observed how cultural practices impact technology uptake."
Elizabeth ChurchillExploring Cadence: You, Your Team, and Your Enterprise
June 8, 2017

"I love experiences. I love designing them and I love experiencing them."
Rusha SopariwalaRemote, Together: Craft and Collaboration Across Disciplines, Borders, Time Zones, and a Design Org of 170+
June 9, 2022

"Not every project needs a response, nor does every RFP need a proposal."
George AyeThat Quiet Little Voice: When Design and Ethics Collide
November 16, 2022

"Creating space for us to name the things we were experiencing allows us to unload some emotional weight."
Ariba JahanTeam Resiliency Through a Pandemic
January 8, 2024

"Design thinking is a set of behaviors, not just a toolbox of methods."
Julie Gitlin Esther RaiceDesign as an Agent of Digital Transformation at JPMC
June 9, 2021

"Ethical decisions will change over time; they're not static."
Matteo GrattonCan Data and Ethics Live Together?
October 1, 2021