Futurice’s Post

Here's something to keep in mind if you're planning to build your first design system; The complexity of the system must be proportionate to the size of the team. If that's piqued your interest, then read on...

Design thinking enhances empathy. Even if you are not working in a product oriented field, these constructions may be used across various functions, e.g., when drafting a contract template fit for purpose. 

Design isn’t just copying someone else’s interface or flow and slapping your company’s Design System on it It’s a key part of world-class strategy execution Many organizations see design as a Cost Center and try to make it as efficient and optimized as possible But Design isn’t an “Operational” capability at all – It’s a key Strategic capability and differentiator that collaborates with Product and Tech to work backward from client unmet needs To create moments of client achievement and delight

One of the strengths of designing and a design mindset is the ability to design the design process. There are no design methods, only methodologies, approaches, tools, and techniques, which designers assemble differently in every design process. Distrust any design methods as misleading evangelization, including the popular 5-step design thinking and the 4-step double diamond methods.

How Well Do You Understand the Five Fundamental Steps of Design Thinking? https://buff.ly/3IiuWai

90% of design teams face difficulties because they lack systems. They’re always overwhelmed with design requests. Yep, it’s true, and it’s not their fault. What you need is a design system that: - Allows you to reuse design components across multiple projects - Streamlines workflows for faster turnarounds - Maintains consistency across your brand Don’t overload your team with one-off designs. Build a system that can grow with you. P.S. Does your design team have a system in place?

Ever wondered how to objectively evaluate your design process? Or how to quantify the impact of design decisions on your product's success? We've spent months developing a comprehensive framework that does just that. Key highlights: — 13 categories of assessment, — Risk analysis model, — 4 levels of design process maturity, — Practical recommendations for improvement (if you pass the assessment). 👉 Whether you're a design leader, product manager, or passionate about optimizing your team's workflow, this article offers valuable insights. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Have you used similar frameworks in your organization? What challenges do you face in assessing design processes? #DesignProcess #UXDesign #ProductDevelopment #DesignThinking #Innovation

Design concepts a bit unrealistic? As a leader of your companies’ new product portfolio you are always looking to innovate and break into new markets, however the journey through the new product design maze has been fraught with challenges. Time and again, you've been presented with visually striking design concepts that, unfortunately, failed to transition into practical viable new products. It's disheartening to see an exciting vision dissolve in the face of engineering realities, pushing timelines further out of reach and watching development cost skyrocket with no tangible outcome in sight. In the rapidly evolving world of product development, companies are often promised fantastical designs that rarely manifest into market ready new products. Design Department Incorporated (DDI) calls this the "Bigfoot Riding a Unicorn" phenomenon. DDI stands out by blending top-notch creativity with unparalleled engineering expertise to deliver not only innovative but also technically sound product designs, avoiding the detour into fantasy land. Our commitment goes beyond mere aesthetics.  Founded in 2004 DDI has carved a niche by combining the imaginative approach of world class product designers with highly experienced engineering talent. This synergy ensures that every design is not only visually appealing but also robust, functional, and ready to meet your market challenges. DDI understands that time is of the essence in product development. Our team is equipped to deliver high-quality designs swiftly, ensuring that clients not only meet their go-to-market strategies but do so with products that are engineered to succeed from the start. Potential customers rightly find themselves wary of investing in designs that appear too good to be true. DDI addresses this concern head-on by grounding our creative solutions in solid engineering principles. We ensure that every product design is realistic, manufacturable, and aligned with client goals. Choosing to work with DDI means partnering with a team that understands and values practical innovation. We are committed to turning visionary ideas into real-world products that are not just imaginative but are also market ready. Say goodbye to the elusive Bigfoot mounted on a Unicorn and ride ahead with new product designs that actually come to existence—courtesy of DDI's expert blend of product design and engineering talent. #newproductdesign #productdesign #conceptdevelopment Brian Leadingham Alex Gruber Luke Westhoff Alec Devlin

The more companies I speak to, and hear how executives overlook design, I'm starting to understand why they do. The problem some designers have is they cannot articulate what exactly their value is. When challenged to provide strategic guidance, they fall back on the comfortable tactical aspects of design or process vagueness. Some designers can hardly justify the existence of a proper design practice beyond the idea that engineering needs design support to build the right products. In 2024, it's still common for companies to see design less as a strategic function but more an afterthought. Maybe we just need to call it something non-design executives will understand.

The more companies I speak to, and hear how C-Suites overlook design, I'm starting to understand why they do. The problem some designers have is they cannot articulate what exactly their value is. When challenged to provide strategic guidance, they fall back on the comfortable tactical aspects of design or process vagueness. Most design leaders can hardly justify the existence of a proper design practice beyond the idea that engineering needs design support to build the right products. More and more in 2024, we are seeing design less as a strategic function, and more as "styling". Just a thought, but spending time thinking and writing about how to solve problems will help structure thoughts on how to talk to non-design peers, to continuously get the elusive "buy-in".