The be a better designer, don't focus on technology or business. Focus on people.
The Crouch family at their annual Thanksgiving dinner in Ledyard, Connecticut 1940.
Lomax collection. Photographer, Jack Delano. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, Reproduction Number LC-USF34–042716-D.
“As we work our way to the heart (and minds) of today’s problems, more is needed. Designers also need to define, understand, and improve the complex relationships among all people — not just users, but also among the stakeholders ”behind the glass". This complex and sometimes contradictory group includes product owners, business stakeholders technical and engineering teams, even other design teams. They all have their ow priorities agendas, unique abilities - and limitations. It often feels like one large, dysfunctional family. And as a designer, I always feel like I'm showing up for Thanksgiving dinner.
“Design Thinking methods and activities are an established, and usually prudent approach to improving the user’s needs. But it is often not enough. To achieve real progress we need to first reconcile the competing agendas, fix broken communication styles, and find common ground with the stakeholders whose trust and understanding are required for the designers needs. Without that, we cannot fully do our work on behalf of the aforementioned users.
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