Summary
In this panel, Meredith, Briya, and Tim share their current passions, emphasizing personal and professional growth within the field of design operations. Meredith highlights her new podcast aimed at exploring life re-evaluations during the pandemic and beyond, while Briya expresses excitement about her journey into wine studies and the effectiveness of tools like Airtable in design processes. Tim discusses the importance of purpose-built communities and the design operations skillsets needed in modern organizations. They address the dynamic nature of design ops, the challenges of role specialization, and the need for effective communication and advocacy in showcasing the value of design operations. The conversation also touches on the potential future of design ops integrating more smoothly with product development and how automation can both assist and complicate the human aspect of design work.
Key Insights
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The pandemic prompted many to re-evaluate their careers and personal values.
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Design operations roles are evolving rapidly, requiring a blend of skills beyond traditional design.
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Community building in design ops is crucial for sharing knowledge and supporting each other.
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Automation can enhance efficiency but must be balanced with the human aspects of design work.
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There is a rising trend of different operational roles (like research ops, product ops) being created, which could lead to chaos if not managed properly.
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Advocacy for the value of design within organizations is essential, especially as operational roles shift.
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Personal passions can influence professional growth and open new opportunities.
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Understanding business needs is critical for the success of design ops in organizations.
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Continuous learning and adaptability are keys to success in evolving fields like design ops.
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Operational skills in design can significantly impact organizational strategy and culture.
Notable Quotes
"I'm super excited about launching a podcast with my dear friends Bob Baxley and Aaron Walter."
"What's really top of mind for me right now is studying to be a sommelier, like a wine person."
"I'm incredibly excited about Airtable's capabilities to combine tools we use at Adobe."
"I think there's a really powerful connection between intimate and scaled experiences."
"Design operations practitioners need to continue to grow in organizational strategy and finance."
"In our industry being new allows us to make it what we want it to be and that's exciting."
"Look for business opportunities to grow your role in the design ops field."
"The opportunity to redesign how the business does the business is where design ops can be powerful."
"Understanding the incentive of the team you serve is a powerful tool."
"Balance the need for automation with the need for a human-centered approach."
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