Summary
Brea welcomed the audience to Design at Scale 2022, setting the tone by acknowledging the intense challenges design professionals have faced over recent years, including repeated crises and ongoing struggles to gain recognition and proper investment. She highlighted common frustrations such as being undervalued, brought in too late, or excluded from strategic decisions. Brea positioned the event as a source of hope and empowerment, focusing on cultivating strong design practices, fostering connection among team members, and enhancing design maturity for the benefit of individuals, companies, and customers alike. Her message encouraged attendees to engage fully, explore new ideas, and return energized to lead cultural change within their organizations.
Key Insights
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Design professionals often feel undervalued and overlooked in organizational decision-making.
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Repeated crises have intensified fatigue within the design community.
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Designers seek more meaningful day-to-day work experiences and purposeful impact.
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Strengthening design maturity supports better company and customer outcomes.
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Early involvement of design in projects is crucial for its success and influence.
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Empowerment and positivity can counteract uncertainty during times of crisis.
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Building a culture of connection increases design team satisfaction and effectiveness.
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Investing properly in design is essential to achieving business success.
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Design leaders can drive change in organizational culture to value design more.
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Conferences like Design at Scale serve as antidotes to professional fatigue by offering hope and practical strategies.
Notable Quotes
"Many of us in this field are tired of not having our value understood."
"We are tired of fighting for that seat at the table."
"We want to feel valued and find satisfaction in our daily work."
"Today is about empowerment and positivity at scale."
"Our theme today is design practices in times of crisis."
"Designers want a sense of connection with their coworkers."
"We can lead the change in culture we want for ourselves and our team."
"The talks will give you ideas for raising design maturity and supporting people."
"The past couple of years have been intense with one crisis after another."
"My hope for you is to come away re-energized and ready to lead change."
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