Design Better
Ryan Rumsey: Designers need to understand the language of business
Apr 21, 2020
Ryan Rumsey, a former designer at Apple and Nestlé, discusses the vital intersection of design and business. He emphasizes the need for designers to adopt an analytical approach to storytelling, enhancing negotiation skills after pitches. Rumsey introduces concepts like 'unconsulting' to empower teams and advocates for mid-career designers transitioning to leadership. He highlights the importance of understanding business metrics and offers insights from his new book, providing essential strategies for designers to effectively communicate and forge valuable partnerships.
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Quick takeaways
- Designers must cultivate business acumen alongside their creative skills to effectively communicate and align with organizational goals.
- Analytical storytelling, which combines narrative techniques with data-driven insights, is essential for designers to influence decision-making processes.
Deep dives
Bridging Design and Business
The discussion emphasizes the necessity for designers to develop business acumen alongside their design skills. Ryan Rumsey, the author, introduces strategies for designers to better communicate with business partners, which involves learning the language of business. He highlights the importance of empathy, not just towards users but towards colleagues’ daily challenges and pressures, which fosters trust and collaboration. Rumsey illustrates this concept through real-world examples, demonstrating how designers can transition from craft-focused roles to influential positions where they contribute meaningfully to business strategies.
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