Summary

In this conversation, Amanda shares her extensive journey in the design and tech industry, discussing her experiences in contracting, transitioning to in-house roles, and her current position in the banking sector. She emphasizes the importance of a learning mindset, user testing, and stakeholder engagement in design processes. Amanda also talks about building an innovation hub and the future of design in the context of AI and evolving roles within the industry.

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cano-252bb03/

Takeaways

• Amanda has been in the tech industry since the early days of the web.
• Contracting offers a fast-paced learning environment compared to in-house roles.
• Transitioning to banking required Amanda to adapt quickly to a new industry.
• User testing is crucial for understanding customer needs and improving design.
• Involving stakeholders in the design process helps change perceptions of design.
• Building an innovation hub can significantly impact an organization's design capabilities.
• AI is set to change the design landscape, but the role of designers will remain essential.
• A T-shaped skill set is important for designers to be effective in their roles.
• Regular communication and team meetings help maintain a strong design culture.
• Quality in design is paramount, and leaders must balance detail with trust in their teams.

Chapters

00:00 Amanda's Journey in Design and Tech

09:57 Contracting vs. In-House: Insights and Experiences

18:37 Transitioning to Banking: Challenges and Learnings

26:58 The Importance of User Testing and Stakeholder Engagement

35:22 Building an Innovation Hub: Strategies and Impact

43:40 The Future of Design: AI and Evolving Roles

In this conversation, Nada shares her extensive journey in design, spanning over 15 years, highlighting her transition from consulting to in-house roles. She discusses the evolving landscape of design, the importance of building partnerships within organizations, and the need for designers to take on more strategic roles. Nada emphasizes the significance of community building in the design space, particularly in the Middle East, and the essential skills for leadership, including empathy and a growth mindset. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by product managers and the continuous cycle of maintaining high-performing teams.

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katral/

https://design.alraedahdigital.sa/

Takeaways

• Nada's career began as an information architect, showcasing the evolution of design roles.
• The importance of outcomes in defining a designer's role.
• Problem-solving is a key skill for designers.
• The shift towards in-house product teams is changing the consulting landscape.
• Building partnerships within organizations is crucial for design success.
• Designers must maintain their 'design soul' even in squad models.
• Community building is essential for the growth of the design field.
• Empathy and growth mindset are vital for effective leadership.
• High-performing teams require continuous effort to maintain.
• Not all designers need to transition into leadership roles; growth can occur in various forms.

Chapters

00:00 Journey into Design: A 15-Year Odyssey

05:01 Consulting vs. In-House: The Designer's Dilemma

09:58 Building Partnerships: The Key to Successful Design Teams

15:02 Squad Models: Balancing Integration and Design Soul

19:49 Design Thinking Workshops: Bridging Gaps Across Departments

24:56 Community Building: Elevating Design in the Region

30:12 The Future of Design: Strategy and Leadership

34:57 Navigating Relationships: The Role of Design Leaders

39:48 Empathy and Growth: Essential Skills for Leadership

44:47 The Continuous Cycle of High-Performing Teams

50:09 The Role of PMs: Redefining Responsibilities in Design

55:05 Personal Projects and Future Aspirations

Batsi shares his career journey, which started with founding a design studio in Zimbabwe and eventually led him to his current role as a design leader. He emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and leveraging cultural values in design. He discusses the concept of the Ubuntu Framework and how it can shape design and leadership. Batsi also shares his approach to hiring, focusing on mindset and authenticity. He highlights the need for a fair and value-driven recruitment process. In this conversation, Batsirai Madzonga discusses the importance of cultural diversity and representation in design, the challenges young designers face, and the power of social media in shaping the design industry. They also talk about Batsirai's personal projects, including creating children's books celebrating African culture and developing the Sankofa typeface in collaboration with Google. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of design and the potential impact of AI and human connection.

https://madzonga.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/batsi/

Ubuntu Framework: https://a.co/d/4wBZvN7

Sankofa font: https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Sankofa+Display

Batsi's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C1DMH223

Takeaways

• Building a personal brand and leveraging cultural values can enhance your career journey and bring a unique perspective to design.
• Ubuntu, a concept rooted in African culture, emphasizes humaneness and community, which can shape design and leadership practices.
• When hiring, focus on mindset and authenticity, and create a recruitment process that provides value to both the candidate and the organization.
• Exploitation in design recruitment can be a problem, and it's important to find a balance between assessing skills and respecting the candidate's time and effort.
• Diversity in teams, including different cultural backgrounds and perspectives, can spark creativity and innovation. Cultural diversity and representation are crucial in design to ensure a more inclusive and authentic creative industry.
• Young designers may be more vulnerable to exploitation due to their lack of industry experience, and it is important for design leaders to speak out against unethical practices.
• Personal projects can be a powerful way to address personal needs and make a positive impact in the world.
• Social media can be a valuable platform for sharing perspectives, building a personal brand, and inspiring others.
• The future of design is uncertain due to the exponential growth of AI, but the focus on human connection and leveraging cultural backgrounds can help designers navigate and adapt to the changing landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Batzy's Career Journey

08:12 Leveraging Cultural Values

15:28 The Ubuntu Framework

19:14 Mindset and Authenticity in Hiring

27:29 The Power of Diversity in Teams

43:09 Addressing Exploitation in Design Recruitment

54:33 Cultural Diversity and Representation in Design

55:00 Challenges Faced by Young Designers

57:30 The Power of Social Media in Shaping the Design Industry

59:21 Personal Projects: Celebrating African Culture and Making a Positive Impact

01:12:38 The Future of Design: AI and Human Connection