As designers, we were used to being the source of creativity when solving problems, ideating, and road mapping. Those were the days of agencies where designers designed in isolation. It was fun, for sure.
Yet, understanding complex systems and solving problems is becoming more and more a multidisciplinary team sport. This month’s selection of articles is an invitation to look outside design — to challenge the ways we do design by looking at our role within teams, organizations, and even at a societal level.
Meet our curator of the month
Daniel is a Helsinki-based product designer passionate about solving problems with his extraordinary and inspiring team members. Daniel believes in design as the bridge to enable collaboration across disciplines.
Over the years, he has orbited around different fields such as product design, architecture, city design, animation, cinematography, industrial design, photography, and sustainable design.
This book is a must-read for any designer who wants to make a real impact in the world of digital product design. It discusses how to structure and staff an empowered and effective product organization, where design is an important part of the equation but not the centre. A book for us designers to zoom out and look at our role in product teams and organisations.
How might we collaborate better and solve problems together? This series of posts around product development is very thought-provoking for anyone building digital products. The link takes you to the Developer and designer collaboration post that challenges the ever-common scenario where designers design in isolation and developers code on their own. Worth reading the whole blog.
Rebecca hits hard on design consultancy work. She describes a reality where consultants hand over a well-thought solution, for others to (struggle to) implement. At Futurice, we like to think that building those visions and working together with clients on their company culture are ways to overcome many of the challenges Rebecca describes in her eye-opening article. A great piece for critical reflection on the work we do.
In a world of constant change and disruption, it's easy to get lost. But what if there was a way to turn the page and design a better tomorrow? Join us in Munich as we explore how to design a sustainable future that benefits people, the planet, and businesses. Let's shape a brighter future together!
On May 16th, Futurice Berlin welcomes you to an event about the future of digital accessibility! Our experts Suvi Helén and Marion Couesnon share their predictions - ranging from topics like legislation to emerging technologies - and recommendations on how to realize a more accessible vision of the future. Use this opportunity to leverage your business and learn how to nail upcoming accessibility challenges with confidence, offer better products and services, and expand your target audience.
You would be leading cross-functional product teams end-to-end, from discovery to delivery of digital products by putting the needs of real users at the center of your thought process and using insights and data to guide your decision-making.