Design Better

Cassie McDaniel, Head of Design at Medium, shares insights from her journey through agencies and tech giants like Mozilla. She discusses the bold choice to eliminate product managers at Medium, resulting in faster workflows and empowered teams. Cassie emphasizes the importance of a craft-driven approach and experimentation in design. She also highlights the role of critique in developing thoughtful design and offers advice on navigating feedback and mentoring. Learn how mastering business basics can help designers make a bigger impact.

Aaron Draplin, a dynamic graphic designer and co-founder of Field Notes, shares his journey from the skate parks of Michigan to becoming a leading figure in design. He discusses the influence of skate culture on community and collaboration, emphasizing that design is about experimentation rather than perfection. Draplin reflects on his Midwest roots and how they shape his work ethic and creativity. With humor and insights, he highlights the importance of showing up daily and staying true to oneself in the creative process.

Jessica Hische, a renowned lettering artist and author, and Chris Shiflett, an engineer and community builder, delve into their journey of creating Studioworks. They reflect on the vibrant energy of co-working spaces and early web creativity. The duo discusses their decision to focus on essential tools for creatives, such as invoicing and project management, while emphasizing sustainability over venture capital. Their passion for community and resource-building shines through as they share insights on how to elevate the freelance experience and foster collaboration among independent studios.

Get ready for a delightful gift guide that sparks creativity! From Jordan Mechner's graphic memoir to quality cooking spices from Burlap & Barrel, there's something for everyone. Discover Eames-inspired playing cards, minimalist wallets, and even a pocket synth for the musically inclined. Adventure seekers can gift iFly indoor skydiving or a vacation with an artist. Embrace sustainability with repair ideas and explore Native American artifacts. Perfect picks for the curious and creative on your list this holiday season!

Phil Gilbert, a leader in IBM's groundbreaking design transformation, discusses his journey of reshaping a 400,000-employee company into a design-centric organization. He shares how treating change like a product fueled adoption and the unique challenges he faced in changing entrenched mindsets. With insights from his new book, Irresistible Change, he outlines the effective immersive bootcamps, innovative design spaces, and the critical role of culture in sustaining design efforts. Phil's engaging strategies are applicable for anyone eager to spark meaningful transformation.

Cecilia Brenner, Managing Director of Design for Good and former leader at Philips, discusses her journey from corporate innovation to impactful nonprofit design. She shares how 1,600 designers can engage with the UN Sustainable Development Goals while retaining their jobs. Cecilia highlights the importance of measuring real impact, focusing projects on specific goals, and practicing life-centered design that includes all life forms. Her insights provide a practical framework for designers seeking meaningful work and community engagement.

Join game designer Jordan Mechner, the mastermind behind iconic titles like Karateka and Prince of Persia. He shares fascinating insights into how he taught himself programming by cloning classic games and how storytelling became integral to his designs. Discover how the game Choplifter influenced the cinematic approach of Karateka, and hear about his collaboration with his father on music and sound for his games. Plus, learn why keeping detailed journals became a pivotal part of his creative process.

In this engaging discussion, Ben Swire, an award-winning designer and former Design Lead at IDEO, shares insights from his book, *Safe Danger*. He explores the delicate balance between safety and risk in team dynamics, emphasizing the necessity of psychological safety for fostering creativity and trust. Ben reveals how playful activities can rebuild team culture, why vulnerability leads to stronger relationships, and offers strategies for effective collaboration. His unique approach transforms fear into growth, helping teams embrace both success and failure.

Jeremy Faludi, an assistant professor of Design for Sustainability at TU Delft, shares insights on the intersection of design and environmental impact. He discusses the need for life-cycle thinking and critiques misguided sustainability efforts, like the hairdryer company’s plastic reduction misstep. Jeremy emphasizes using systems thinking to prioritize environmental impacts and highlights the role of software in promoting sustainable practices. He also reveals surprising truths about AI's energy consumption in the context of sustainability.

Alison Rand, a design operations leader and author of "Sentido," explores the importance of understanding colleagues as humans to enhance workplace relationships. She introduces her concept of 'radical humanity,' challenging the limits of radical candor and emphasizing trust and compassion in feedback. Alison shares insights from her career, highlights the interdependence of organizational ecosystems likening them to El Yunque rainforest, and advocates for valuing lived experiences alongside academic credentials in leadership.