Summary
On the final day of the conference, the focus shifted from product and processes to people, emphasizing the practice of human-centered design internally within teams as well as externally for customers. Peter Marrahold opened the session, stressing the importance of maintaining humanism at scale in design work. Milestone followed with a case study on empathetic transformation across multiple disciplines, showing how to overcome political challenges in organizational change. My Bill presented practical strategies for building design-minded communities within legacy companies by integrating diverse disciplines. Two emotionally impactful talks highlighted the necessity of self-care post-pandemic, urging professionals to prioritize their own well-being before helping others. Word Caps expanded on professional self-care approaches, while Meun explored career transitions from managerial roles to principal individual contributor positions, encouraging people to stay authentic to their passions. The finale from Willer focused on opportunities for designers to create government services that prioritize equity and resilience, underscoring the responsibility designers hold when shaping systems for millions. The day provided a balance of practical advice and heartfelt reminders, aiming to resonate both mentally and emotionally with the audience.
Key Insights
-
•
Human-centered design should be applied within teams, not just for customers.
-
•
Scaling design requires maintaining a focus on humanism at every level.
-
•
Empathy across disciplines is key to successful organizational transformation.
-
•
Building design communities in century-old companies requires intentional inclusion of various disciplines.
-
•
Self-care is essential for sustainable professional practice, especially post-pandemic.
-
•
Career growth can be vertical or lateral, and it’s important to stay true to personal passions.
-
•
Transitioning from managerial to principal individual contributor roles offers a path for experienced professionals.
-
•
Designers have a responsibility to create equitable, resilient government services.
-
•
Addressing politics and reservations openly aids in transformation and community-building efforts.
-
•
Putting on your own oxygen mask first is a metaphor for prioritizing one’s own well-being before assisting others.
Notable Quotes
"We often talk about our customers, but we forget the other people involved: ourselves and our teams."
"Design at scale is really humanism at scale."
"Transformation happens through empathy across multiple disciplines and reporting lines."
"Building design communities in legacy companies means bringing other disciplines into the fold."
"Taking care of ourselves first is essential before we can effectively care for others."
"Growth in your career doesn’t always have to be vertical; sometimes sideways or diagonal moves help you stay true to yourself."
"Transitioning to a principal role lets you focus on what you love without managing teams directly."
"Designers must take responsibility when designing systems that impact millions."
"Overcoming reservations and politics is part of enabling transformation."
"Putting on your oxygen mask first is a metaphor for self-care we often neglect in professional life."
Dig deeper—ask the Rosenbot:
More Videos
"I put down my question guide and just talked with Carol."
Randolph Duke IIWar Stories LIVE! Randy Duke II
March 30, 2020
"You do not have to go publicly thank the employer who just laid you off. They’ll be fine without it."
Corey Nelson Amy SanteeLayoffs
November 15, 2022
"Research is not as easy as putting on a shoe and just doing it; it requires careful consideration and alignment with imperatives."
Landon BarnesAre My Research Findings Actually Meaningful?
March 10, 2022
"Think of nudges like road signs or exits on a highway, while behavior change techniques are the road stretches in between sustaining momentum."
Amy BucherHarnessing behavioral science to uncover deeper truths
March 12, 2025
"Human behavior is anything but linear, rational, or predictable."
David SternbergUncovering the hidden forces shaping user behavior
July 17, 2025
"If you dug deeper into feedback, you'd find ways to address issues without a big change."
Deanna SmithLeading Change with Confidence: Strategies for Optimizing Your Process
September 23, 2024
"The establishment mindset is colonialism manifest in the design world."
Jennifer StricklandAdopting a "Design By" Method
December 9, 2021
"Around 14 to 20 designers is usually the tipping point where having a dedicated design ops person starts to make sense."
Rachel Posman John CalhounA Closer Look at Team Ops and Product Ops (Two Sides of the DesignOps Coin)
November 19, 2020
"Service design is 10% connecting the dots and 90% creating the conditions that bring those dots closer together."
Gina MendoliaTherapists, Coaches, and Grandmas: Techniques for Service Design in Complex Systems
December 3, 2024
