DesignedUp: A designer’s guide on how to lead inside the tech industry

Description

"Carter’s new book, DesignedUp, is a useful guide for the modern design practitioner who sits at the intersection of the IT consultancy and agency world ― someone who chooses to plot their own course across many companies’ diverse set of interests instead of being loyal to just one. In doing so, they have selected an exciting path that will bring them many heralded victories and challenging pitfalls, which Carter has aptly navigated over her impressive career. If you have been in the field for a while, I think you will find Carter’s book to be a refreshing antidote to any career doldrums you may have."― Dr. John Maeda, VP of Design and Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft "Designers have long asked for a ‘seat at the table.’ What Emma Carter has done is given them the roadmap to not only get that seat, but to redesign the table to fit what tech-driven organisations need to succeed today."― Jeff Gotthelf, Author "Lean UX" and "Sense & Respond" Are you struggling to get non-designers to understand the value of what you do? Tech companies and consultancies can feel like an inhospitable landscape for designers. Too often, design is seen as a ‘nice extra’, rather than an integral part of the process, and designers find their voice overshadowed by decision-makers who don’t understand or appreciate the power of design. DesignedUp will help you eliminate obstacles and become a design leader who can effectively influence everyone from engineers to C-level execs. By sharing perspectives, methods, frameworks and hero stories from global Tech & Design leaders, including Rebecca Parsons, CTO at Thoughtworks; Andreas Markdalen, Global Chief Creative Officer at frog; Lauren Pleydell-Pearce, Executive Creative Director at PwC UK, Dr. Andy Polaine, Ex-global Group Design Director at Fjord, the book shows you how to: Assess and harness your strengthsUnderstand and communicate in the language of business and techDevelop your influencing skills to bring tech leads and stakeholders on board with designPresent compelling design arguments that resonate with decision-makersTurn execs into design evangelistsSpread the love for human-centred design far beyond your deliver Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page dedication Table of Contents list of illustrations foreword a little note introduction The moving tide of change UAP: Technology, design and art working in harmony Worlds collide Designing in the new landscape Bringing my vision to life As a design leadership step . . . Design leadership and design management — What does it even mean? one designedUp traits Understanding who you are My own strengths Don’t ask for permission The power of praise and recognition Give credit where credit is due Followers and trust Removing the obstacles Give solutions, not problems No elitists here, please Instil inspiration Case study Imposter Syndrome Getting bankers to sketch! Understanding users drives great design We are all learning So, to summarise . . . two design agency life vs large consultancy life Common observations The big picture Different justification More influence There is no longer a defined career ceiling Breadth over detail Taking the client on the journey Cooking with an audience The ‘wall’ and the problems it causes Location, location Visibility = opportunity Getting involved in sales Instant expert Eat, sleep, repeat Career paths An Aussie in Blighty Creating a vision for your career Working agile Who is the customer? A tech perspective . . . . . . on designers . . . on the differences between the sexes Bridging the gap So, to summarise . . . three design leader in an agile consultancy world Don’t forget where you’ve come from Thinking beyond your assigned role Case study: Major bank ‘sharing bills’ feature When agile meets obstacles We don’t all speak the same language Non-believers When your go-to ways don’t work Lead by example If I had my time again . . . Be comfortable with change Embrace ambiguity Take the big picture view Ask deeper questions Get comfortable with multiple languages Be aware of how your audience thinks Say ‘No’ without saying ‘No’ Designers need to be around designers Never underestimate your influence Don’t pretend to be a unicorn Helping younger consultants navigate our world The truth no one tells you So, in summary . . . four proving the power and value of design Getting buy-in Get everyone thinking like a customer Showcasing the design process The client has an idea you know is stupid Budgets and being afraid of the unfamiliar How failure to usability test cost Citibank® $500m Tailoring the design conversation so it resonates Measuring the value of design Ways to measure the value What we discovered Some frameworks to try The outcomes Showing the continuous value of design Use your successes metrics to influence sales So, in summary . . . five don’t become the worst version of yourself Dealing with conflicting attitudes The 1% Our past relationships influence us — sometimes unknowingly Say ‘yes’, then figure it out later We all need someone to aspire to Don’t become the worst version of yourself Giving space and taking space What can we all learn from Erica? Where there’s a problem, find solutions Organisations will only change if we make them change So, in summary . . . six up your influence Influencing people you don’t already have a relationship with Show them what’s possible Mixing technology and design Influencing and leading in a remote world Delegate to increase your leadership Where to find support Where are the best places to find advocates? So, in summary . . . seven one final note Opportunity Learn and evolve Others are doing it—so can you Lead the way What’s next thank you index