Why clear briefs are key to design success

This is a good reminder that iteration is more than repetition within the solution space. True iteration should reframe the problem by enabling up-stream flows. Each design decision generates new knowledge that could reshape problem, process and product. #ProblemFraming #DesignLeadership #Iteration #PeopleFirst

📊 According to the What Clients Think 2025 report by Up to the Light in partnership with the Design Business Association (DBA): · 83% of clients say being under-resourced and time-poor is their biggest challenge · 55% admit their toughest barriers are internal, not external · And yet, 70% remain optimistic about the next two years This tells us something important: marketing leaders are expected to do more with less while navigating complexity and internal blockers. That’s where the right design partnership can make a real difference. We don’t just deliver creative outputs - we help lighten the load. 👉 By making communication clearer 👉 By creating visuals that win internal buy-in 👉 By bringing calm, pragmatic efficiency when the pressure is on Because design isn’t just about what it looks like - it’s about making life a bit easier and helping ideas land with the people who matter most. Less stress. More clarity. Greater impact. #DesignMatters #MarketingLeadership #LightTheLoad #GlobalMarketing

This one goes out to all the design leaders and business owners... When stepping into this role, we are often faced with a mirror. You think you'll spend your time researching, sketching, or creating, but the mirror that comes up reflects something very interesting... (hint-hint: our flaws) It often reflects: -Our insecurities -The yearning to cling to control, or -The perfectionist side of our early designer days -The fear of confrontation. Sometimes it shows up as micro-managing... Other times, as stress or avoidance. But the beautiful part is that this mirror shows exactly where we need to grow. And when we develop this "ugly" side of ourselves, we start to bear the fruit of growth... Not just in ourselves, but in our organizations. Below, Sara Fortier gives a perfect depiction of this process! Design leaders, what do you think about this? P.S I absolutely love discussing these subjects. If you also love design, join our little army of 3,000 like-minded people here: https://lnkd.in/eF6KjwGe #designleadership #servicedesign #uxdesign #businessowner #futureofwork

Most people see constraints as blockers. In design strategy, they’re the frame that makes the picture possible. Constraints help us maintain focus, prioritize better, and cut out the endless options. Constraints turn “what ifs” into “what matters”. They don’t stifle creativity, they focus it. And that focus amplifies the outcome. ✅ You get to align your team around what’s achievable ✅ You prevent scope creep and waste of resources ✅ You sharpen creativity into more original solutions You can’t ignore constraints, that’s a recipe for disaster. Wishful thinking is not a very effective design strategy. Leaning into the constraints, learning from them and building on top is what allows projects to take shape, with clarity and momentum. #WordOfTheWeek #DesignStrategy #Constraints

The older I get, the more I value constraints. It used to feel like they are blockers in the path of my creative freedom, when in reality they are just as valuable as every bit of the design brief. They are guidelines for focus, and excellent conversation starters when teams feel oddly silent. Yes, not every constraint is a "gift", but learning to embrace them has been a process I wasn't prepared for as a young designer. How things change once you step into #DesignStrategy.

The deeper I step into cross-regional projects, the more I realize: Design isn’t just about “what we build,” it’s about what we discover along the way. Every new market teaches me something unexpected — sometimes it’s a regulatory detail, sometimes it’s a cultural nuance, and often, it’s about people and how they choose to work together. What I’ve been discovering lately: -Processes aren’t static — they evolve when trust is built. -Quality isn’t universal — it’s defined by what each client values most. -Leadership in design isn’t about control — it’s about creating space for others to thrive. The exciting part? Each project is less a transaction, and more a chance to re-learn, to adjust, and to carry those insights forward. Maybe that’s what sustainable design leadership really is — not just delivering spaces, but continuously discovering better ways to work, across borders and cultures. #DesignLeadership #DiscoveryMindset #CrossRegionalDesign #CulturalIntelligence #SustainableLeadership #DesignThinking

Sometimes the real difference isn’t in the big ideas, but in the small details.✨ Whether it’s Documentation, Reporting, or Presentations – consistency is what makes the work stand out. When teams stick to: ✔️ Official company templates ✔️ Unified fonts & brand colors ✔️ Clear Table of Contents & agreed structure ✔️ Standardized formatting across everyone The output feels like one voice: professional, credible, and aligned with the company’s identity. It’s not just about design — it’s about: -Saving time ⏳ -Avoiding rework 🔄 -Building trust & professionalism 💡 👉 Do you agree that these “small details” can completely change how our work is perceived? #Professionalism #Consistency #Teamwork #BrandIdentity #Reporting #Presentations #Documentation #Leadership

In my role, I often shift between different kinds of challenges — from strategic discussions to creative projects. That’s where the way we think makes all the difference. • Critical thinking helps me analyze: question assumptions, evaluate options, and see things clearly. • Creative thinking helps me imagine: break patterns, explore new angles, and find fresh ideas. • Design thinking helps me apply: solve problems with empathy, structure, and iteration. Each approach brings its own value. But when combined, they turn challenges into solutions that are not only smart, but also meaningful. #CriticalThinking #CreativeThinking #DesignThinking #ProblemSolving #Innovation #Mindset

💡 Human-Centric Design Thinking isn’t just for designers. It’s about putting people at the center of every decision: ✅ Start with empathy ✅ Define the real challenge ✅ Ideate, prototype, and test with real users This approach belongs in every corner of the business—product, engineering, marketing, customer success, and leadership. When we solve problems through a human-first lens, we create outcomes that actually stick. 👉 How have you applied human-centric design thinking in your work? #CustomerExperience #DesignThinking #Leadership #Innovation #CustomerSuccess #CustomerExperience InGenius Jeff Walton Sue Woodard Greg Sayegh Stuart Jones

🎨 Break Barriers, Unlock Creativity! ✨ Great design isn’t just about tools — it’s about removing obstacles that block clarity, communication, and imagination. When barriers like clutter, confusion, or over-complication are broken down, design becomes clear, engaging, and impactful — unlocking true creative performance. 📦 Barriers → Clarity → Simplicity → Confidence → Creativity → Impact #HPISdnBhd #HighPerformance #LeadershipDevelopment #Teamwork #BreakBarriers #UnlockPotential #PeakPerformance #SuccessMindset #ProfessionalGrowth #ThursdayMotivation