There is a world of difference between a bunch of individuals working on tasks, and a team working collaboratively, effectively communicating with stakeholders, and working across teams and departments, driving design in a direction where it serves the business in order to deliver the best possible results.
It is very rare to see a this kind of work start to happen spontaneously, it usually takes some effort in the form of just the right dose of leadership. A design leader is not a manager, but a person with an abundance of experience, and the capacity to define and drive the conversations forward about the value of design within an organization.
As a fractional design leader I usually assume the title of ”head of design”, “chief design officer”, or just a “lead designer” whatever is most relevant to your organization.
As the “voice of design” I work in with two groups within the organization:
This type of work has me being in conversations where design work happens, so a lot of meetings, and a lot of observing. In these situations I will be gathering information about how your teams work, and advising on how the work can be more effective. This advisory is in the realm of culture, collaboration, and team structure.
I will also keep in contact with other leaders in the organization learning how they view design, and figuring out how it can serve their departments, or at least get out of their way!
In terms of capacity, expect a 10–20 hours per week of involvement from my part with a one year minimum commitment.
This setup is ideal for organizations who are looking to use design as an asset, instead of treating it as a cost center. Whether you are growing your organization, or looking to transform it, i can help.
What you often hear is “design wants a seat at the table”. What they actually mean is “designers feel like tools, rather than contributors”. I will champion design within your organization, and educate both designers and stakeholders on the impact of design in the right environments so your business uses it as an asset instead of viewing it as a cost center.
Everyone needs help, or at least someone to talk to about things they don't have a chance to talk about. I will support your designers on their professional journey in every way I can, and work with your management to understand design and designers as best as possible.
People have different expectations out of their jobs, and not every designer wants to eventually become a manager. I will make sure that your organization is set to support the right people in the right ways for them, so they can be of best use to your company.