Key Insights

• •

  The design community needs to engage high school students to address the shortage of designers entering the field.

• •

  Diversity in design involves not only demographic differences but cognitive variety; many valuable designers come from non-traditional backgrounds.

• •

  Attracting talent goes beyond traditional hiring practices; forming connections with Gen Z can inspire new interest in design.

• •

  Design operations play a crucial role in scaling teams, providing necessary structure and processes for designers to thrive.

• •

  Effective hiring processes should include portfolio reviews that focus on how designers think about products, not just their previous work.

• •

  Designers should be freed from non-creative tasks to focus on innovation and problem-solving.

• •

  Remote work and inclusive hiring practices can broaden access to talent and create more diverse design teams.

• •

  Creating a solid design culture involves establishing rituals that help teams collaborate effectively and focus on creativity.

• •

  Understanding information architecture is critical for designers; it shapes how users interact with products.

• •

  The success of a design team relies on a clear value proposition for different roles within the team, catering to varying levels of experience and expertise.

Notable Quotes