Design Leadership: Taking the reins

The possibilities that Design affords in diverse sectors are increasing exponentially and today it is seen as an essential discipline in most professional domains. Designers are creative, eclectic, empathetic, reflective, technologically aware, skilled, holistic, adaptable and agile. These qualities though highly desirable in the professional world, seldom take designers to the one place where they could contribute the most, at the inception of any project – the board room. Designers need to be part of the genesis of the idea, together with management, technology and marketing teams. Designers however come later in the decision-making process and fulfill the role of executors rather than as contributors of original thought, or leaders driving the entire world of possibilities.

It is of critical importance to understand whether this is because of the nature of creative individuals, lacunae in the educational system or the understanding of what Design is in the corporate world and governance at large.

A vision for ‘Design Leadership’ in Governance, in Corporates, in Policy, in Industry; that leads to new directions in education for the coming years that will see Designers as drivers of change, needs articulation if Designers are to realize their true calling.

Author:
G. A. Vikram, HoD, School of Industrial Design, Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID)

Disclaimer: The opinions / views expressed in this article are solely of the author in his / her individual capacity. They do not purport to reflect the opinions and/or views of the College and/or University or its members.