Managing design

Companies that successfully use design make sure they manage the process.

Design management is important because:

  • It sets targets
  • It shows design is a process to be involved in rather than just an end product to order
  • It promotes design as a professional service that businesses employ. Just like business consultants, marketing agencies or legal advisers.

 

Eleven Lessons: managing design in eleven global brands

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How do leading companies manage design in their businesses? Our in-depth study of the design processes used in eleven global brands gives real insights into the way design operates in these firms, and delivers usable lessons for all designers and managers.

How design helps leading companies meet business challenges

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Find out how leading companies use sophisticated design management techniques to compete in crowded marketplaces, connect with their customers and capitalise on the power of their brands.

Managing for design excellence

Virgin Atlantic plane

Find out how some of the world's leading design teams are managed, how design teams work within global businesses, and why leadership matters.

The benefits of using external design consultancies

The case for having a strong in-house design function is made by the voices in the main article here, but there are of course many benefits to working with outside design consultancies.

Inside knowledge: In-house design teams

Being able to build an in-depth knowledge of a business’s design and brand thinking is the in-house team’s trump card.