Design is no longer the exclusive domain of creative professionals. Thanks to a new wave of democratized design tools and concepts, people are discovering that anyone can be a designer. The concept of co-generating design is taking this concept to a whole new level with its inclusive approach to design and its positive implications for ROI.

Designing products and services for humans often requires a deep understanding of cultures and societies that interact with those products and services. But few designers initiate the kind of research that is required to uncover what motivates users and what environments lead to successful design outcomes. That’s why human-centric design must integrate design with anthropology.

When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, connecting the dots between due diligence and design can be tricky. Aesthetic considerations play a crucial role in the process, informing the corporate strategies of involved stakeholders and how they communicate outcomes to their potential investors. With the right insights, your team can use design to craft a unique, engaging experience for all involved in M&A activities.

When it comes to design, staying on top of the latest things means the difference between success and failure. As technology and trends rapidly evolve, designers must evolve with them or risk being left behind. In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at the risks and costs associated with avoiding obsolescence and not taking advantage of the latest innovations in the industry.

The shift to remote learning, hastened by recent global events, has posed significant challenges and opportunities for design education. As design educators, the transition from traditional, in-person teaching to online platforms is not just a change of medium, but a complete rethinking of how design is taught and learned. The question arises: how can we ensure that design students receive a comprehensive education, embracing both the physical and digital realms, even when they are confined to their homes?

When businesses set out to develop new strategies and solve complex problems, they often come up against a wall of sameness. Managers, executives and employees can all bring the same perspective to the table, leading to mundane and often uninspired conversations. By introducing a designer to the mix, fresh ideas and valuable insights can help a business move forward from the same old strategies, jumpstarting new conversations and inspiring innovative solutions.

In the innovation race, agility is key. By comparing the adaptability of big and small design firms, and drawing conclusions on who leads the pack, The Collective have created a list of 7 ways in which studios of different sizes are dealing with issues of scale and scope while fighting to find relevance in today’s market.

For decades, industry giants, or more aptly known as Goliaths, have dominated the innovation arena. But thanks to the digital revolution, creative disruption, and the emergence of innovative startups, a seismic shift has occurred as more and more Davids are taking over. Here are 7 examples of how David is getting the upper hand on traditional giants and how the design industry is changing in exciting ways:

It’s easy to recognize the potential of novel, innovative design solutions. Unfortunately, many large design firms appear to continually operate within the same safe, traditional corridors of thought–which can mean a lack of creative design, problem solving, and risk-taking. In effect, they’re “reinventing the wheel”.

The concept of managing design teams can be a daunting proposition for even the most seasoned leader. With ever-evolving software and tools, design teams and creative management require a specialized set of skills and knowledge to succeed. Fractional leaders, those with the expertise and stature to lead a team for a limited amount of time, have become increasingly popular in addressing design challenges due to their expertise in the field. Whether you find yourself managing the design team of a large scale product or leading a small creative team, here are some tips from fractional leaders to help you manage effectively.

Design leadership may look different on the surface for each individual. But the core skill that drives success in any design leader is empathy.

The ability to think about the needs of team members and clients and respond to them makes for more effective communication, stronger team dynamics, and better design outcomes.

The challenge now is to leverage data-driven insights to craft visual designs that resonate more deeply with consumers. That’s where data-informed design comes in.

Data-informed design is the practice of using data gleaned from analytics platforms to drive design decisions that customers will appreciate more. This includes everything from color schemes and typography to layout and brand identity. All these tactics factor into your customers' experience.

It's ok to leverage ChatGPT in your design process, but doing so at the wrong time leads to confusion. Sometimes, the right flavor of auto-generated "greek" is still the right tool for the job.

In the world of technology-driven design, the challenge of transitioning from design to development has been one of the trickiest and heavily discussed conundrums of the digital age. But within the past few years, digital design systems have emerged and are revolutionizing the process.

Workplace double-secret probation is an awful thing. We owe ourselves and each other better. I address what a PIP is, why they exist, and what to do when placed on one.

You've been tasked with launching your own product, and your timeline for success depends on your ability to move quickly and efficiently through the design phase. You want to avoid unnecessary revisions and delays at every turn. So, what's the key to streamline the product development process?

Creative problem-solving is the bread and butter of modern business, and design thinking is a valuable tool for fostering innovation. But how can companies create a corporate culture of innovation using design thinking?

When it comes to creating truly innovative user experiences (UX), augmented reality (AR) has become a compelling option for designers. We’ve all seen the headlines about the explosive growth of AR uses in gaming and retail shopping, but how is this technology revolutionizing the way that we design user interfaces?