Summary
In the concluding session of the conference, the emphasis is on the human aspect of design. The event kicks off with Peter Marrahold, who discusses the concept of design as a form of humanism and the necessity of keeping people at the core of design practices. Following him, milestone shares a transformative case study on how empathy across various disciplines can mitigate challenges during organizational transformations. The speakers provide practical strategies for establishing design communities that incorporate diverse disciplines, particularly in traditional organizations. Notably, two speakers, to the target and word caps, focus on personal well-being and career transitions, emphasizing the importance of self-care in a post-pandemic world and exploring non-traditional career paths for seasoned professionals. The day wraps up with an exploration of designers' responsibility in creating equitable government services, reinforcing the need for resilience in design.
Key Insights
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Human-centered design must include team members, not just customers.
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Empathy is essential in overcoming organizational politics during transformations.
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Building design communities can empower cross-disciplinary collaboration.
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Self-care is crucial for effective leadership and design practice post-pandemic.
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Career growth can be horizontal rather than just vertical, allowing for diverse paths.
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Designers have a responsibility to address equity in their work, especially within public systems.
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Practicing human-centered design starts with understanding oneself and one’s team.
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Transformational change requires open communication across all levels of an organization.
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Encouraging a culture of caring within teams enhances design outcomes.
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Advocating for users requires also advocating for the well-being of designers.
Notable Quotes
"Design as scale is humanism scale."
"We need to put our oxygen masks on ourselves first before we help others."
"True transformation comes from empathy across multiple disciplines."
"Don't just grow vertically; consider how to grow sideways in your career."
"We faced significant challenges last year, and as designers, we need to take responsibility."
"A community of design-minded people can effect real change in century-old companies."
"Self-care is not just a personal need; it enhances our professional effectiveness."
"Take care of yourself so you can take care of others."
"Building resilient systems means prioritizing equity."
"The challenges we face require us to design with intention and heart."
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