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What does it take to be a lead designer?

almost 6 years ago from Cale Dooper, Product Designer

  • Eliot SlevinEliot Slevin, almost 6 years ago

    In my mind a lead designer is about having a clear direction. Their job is to co-ordinate all these creative individual to make a final product which hits the end goal.

    Don't tell people what to do - tell people what the end goal is, what qualities it should have, what the challenge is. Describe it as a problem, and put responsibility with people.

    E.g. "Here's the typographic style we're going to use - as lead designer we're using these ones" = bad

    "Team we need cohesive typography - I've started a moodboard and a few concepts - would love it if everybody gave it a shot". = good

    7 points
    • Cristian MoiseiCristian Moisei, almost 6 years ago

      I second Eliot's point, a leader's job is not to be the person with the best skills, it's to have a clear understanding of the bigger picture and help everyone understand it too, stay on track and make a success of the project.

      I asked my ex-employer in what ways I could improve and got a similar point: 'your technical skills are great, stop worrying about that, but if you ever want to be in a lead position, you need to work on your people skills'

      3 points