Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Design Leadership Summit in Toronto. This gathering brought together some of the most innovative minds in design and leadership from across the globe. Set against Toronto’s vibrant skyline, the summit was a whirlwind of learning, sharing, and networking.
The event started with hands-on workshops on metrics for impact, highlighting the crucial role of design in the business landscape. As we delved into the fundamentals of design leadership. The attendees’ energy and passion were palpable.
The first day began with a thought-provoking session by Preet Singh, who set the tone for the summit. Peter Merholz‘s talk, “Design Leadership Is Not Leading Design,” challenged my perspectives and inspired me to rethink how we approach leadership within our organization at Aequilibrium.
One of my highlights was the panel on “Scaling Design Teams,” featuring insights from industry leaders including Stephen Boak and Aniruddha Kadam. The presenters shared diverse strategies and perspectives and provided a rich tapestry of ideas on nurturing and growing design teams effectively.
Levon Sharrow‘s session on “Values-Driven Design” resonated deeply with me. It reinforced the importance of embedding our core values into every aspect of our design process.
Katrina Alcorn‘s session on “Humanizing Technology: Ethics and Design in the Age of AI” was another standout moment of the summit. As the former GM of UX at IBM, Alcorn brought a wealth of knowledge and a personal touch to the discussion, starting with a story about designing for empathy with AI. She outlined the ethical considerations designers must navigate in today’s tech landscape and emphasized the role of empathy in creating technology that serves humanity. Her insights on the balance between innovation and ethics in designing AI systems were inspiring and thought-provoking.
The following fireside chats and roundtable discussions offered a unique opportunity to engage in deep, meaningful conversations with peers and mentors alike.
- The “AI Meets Design: A Dialogue” panel was a forward-thinking session that delved into the intersection of AI and design. It was a fascinating exploration of how AI can enhance the design process, improve user experiences and drive innovation. The panelists, including Matthew Richmond, Karan Walia, Kris Woyzbun, and Emily Krause, shared their insights and experiences, sparking a lively debate on the ethical considerations and the future role of designers in an AI-driven world. This session underscored the importance of embracing new technologies while remaining mindful of their impact on society.
- In the fireside chat on Design Leadership, Daniela Jorge and Kaaren Hanson shared profound insights into leading, focusing on outcomes rather than ownership. They emphasized the joy and fulfillment of seeing their teams excel and make significant impacts. Their leadership philosophy centers on being customer-centric and employee-focused, believing that doing right by these groups naturally leads to business success. This approach fosters an environment where team members thrive, innovate, and enjoy their work and its challenges. Their conversation was a testament to the power of leadership that prioritizes growth, customer satisfaction and employee achievement as the ultimate measures of success.
The summit wasn’t just about the sessions but also about the community. The evening social events provided a relaxed setting to forge new connections and strengthen existing ones. These invaluable interactions offered insights and perspectives I’ve brought back to our team at Aequilibrium.
As I reflect on the summit, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to learn from and connect with so many talented individuals. The Design Leadership Summit was not just an event; it was a catalyst for growth, inspiration and change. I return to Aequilibrium invigorated and equipped with new ideas and approaches to lead our design team into the future.
To all the organizers, speakers and attendees, thank you for an unforgettable experience. I’m already looking forward to next year’s summit!
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