Fractional design leadership
Because your design department is not a team, but a group of individuals.
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 in order to deliver the best possible results.
It is very rare to see a team form spontaneously, it usually takes some effort in the form of just the right dose of leadership. And make no mistake, a design leader is not a manager, but a person with an abundance of experience and the capacity to define and drive the value of design within an organization.
If you can’t allocate a leader among your designers, I will act as a fractional design leader for your staff.
This role will have me working with your staff part time, in order to create a best possible environment for them to thrive in, and with you in order to make that happen within your boundaries, and requirements.
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 your designers on the greater impact of design in the right environment.
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.
It's important to know your strengths, as well as your weaknesses. I advise designers on the direction they should develop in depending on their current skills, and their ambitions within their current environment.
In creative professions you never stop developing yourself. As a design generalist I can provide guidance on both soft and hard skills your team can acquire in order to better serve your organization.
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.
Not all creative work is executive, and task oriented. At least it shouldn't be. I will make sure to create a safe space for your creative team to innovate freely, but within the interest of your company.
