40: The Cross-Trained Design Leader (ft. Rajat Shail)
Jan 19, 2024
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Rajat Shail, who oversees hardware, software, package, and experience design for Vivint, discusses managing design as a holistic function, using design thinking training to engage executives, and navigating a broader mandate than their boss's.
Managing design as a holistic function is crucial for creating cohesive and delightful end-to-end experiences.
Transitioning from hardware design to digital design brings a valuable perspective, enhancing interaction design and user experience.
Forcing collaboration among cross-functional teams and utilizing design thinking frameworks leads to innovative solutions and a better understanding of customer needs.
Deep dives
Managing Design as a Holistic Function
Rajat Shale shares his experience leading design, user experience, and industrial design teams at Vivint, a home automation company. He discusses the importance of managing design as a holistic function and the benefits and challenges of using design thinking training to engage executives.
Transitioning from Hardware to Digital Design
Rajat shares his journey transitioning from hardware design to focusing more on digital design. He highlights the shift in mindset and the valuable perspective he gained as an industrial designer, bringing a holistic lens to interaction design and user experience.
Navigating the Intersection of Hardware and Software Design
Rajat discusses the challenges and benefits of leading teams in both hardware and software design. He emphasizes the need to integrate the two and collaborate effectively to create cohesive and delightful end-to-end experiences.
Forcing Collaboration and Design Thinking
Rajat explains the importance of forcing collaboration among cross-functional teams and utilizing design thinking frameworks. He highlights the value of creating a culture where diverse perspectives are encouraged, leading to innovative solutions and a better understanding of customer needs.
Design Leadership and Measuring Success
Rajat shares insights into design leadership and the difficulties in measuring success as a design function. He emphasizes the need for leadership buy-in and training, as well as the importance of focusing on customer experiences and creating winning definitions that align with business goals.
Hardware design, software design, package design, experience design. Rajat Shail oversees all of it for home automation company Vivint. Rajat joins us to share what he's learned about managing design as a holistic function, the benefits and pitfalls of using design thinking training to engage executives, and what to do when your mandate is broader than your boss's.
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