#88 Design Leadership in Evolving Landscapes: Bridging Creativity and Business Strategy with Ryan Ramsey
Future of UX | Your Design, Tech and User Experience Podcast | AI Design
Deep Dive
What is Ryan Ramsey's approach to design maturity?
Ryan views design maturity as contextual, influenced by the company's business model and operational structure. It's not a one-size-fits-all model but should adapt to the specific needs of the organization.
How does Ryan suggest designers bridge the gap between creative thinking and business strategy?
Ryan recommends using design skills to understand business basics, such as the Business Model Innovation (BMI) magic triangle, and observing business actions rather than just words. He also suggests reframing conversations to validate stakeholders' concerns before presenting solutions.
What advice does Ryan give for designers struggling to articulate the strategic value of their work?
Ryan advises designers to focus on making things happen rather than insisting on others believing in design as they do. He suggests reframing solutions to align with stakeholders' concerns and validating their priorities before proposing actions.
How does Ryan suggest designers position themselves in the evolving job market, especially with AI advancements?
Ryan encourages designers to position themselves uniquely, such as by specializing in AI or redesigning supply chains. He emphasizes the importance of competitive analysis to identify gaps and offer different choices in the job market.
What emotional signals should designers look for to know if they are in a good place to learn or make decisions?
Ryan suggests checking for feelings of calm, curiosity, creativity, and connection. If these are present, it indicates a good emotional state for learning and decision-making. If not, it's better to delay and reassess.
How does Ryan view leadership in relation to the emotional states of team members?
Ryan sees leadership as situational, adapting to the emotional state of team members. Leaders should provide different types of support based on whether team members are feeling hopeful, curious, or in need of direct guidance.
What resources does Ryan recommend for designers to future-proof themselves?
Ryan suggests exploring internet searches without predefined answers, joining communities outside of design, and engaging with colleagues from other disciplines to learn from their perspectives and tools.