On building respect for designers in an organization, with our guest Scott Zimmer.

In part 2 of this guest episode, Juli and Scott continued their hike on the Buda Hills, discussing hiring designers, giving them a seat at the table, and building a culture that respects design.

The path we took:

• Treating designers as a partner, not a resource;
• The risks of hiring external design help;
• Explaining and selling the idea of iteration;
• Why the first impression is important, and how a bad experience with a designer can feed bad stereotypes;
• The dangers of the agency model, and a better alternative for dedicated persistent internal design teams;
• Pleasing versus challenging the client;
• Hiring for aptitude and interest, and filling the rest with mentorship;
• And finding upsides for AI, supercharging human connections.

Further reading:

• https://www.tmpt.me/
• https://medium.com/user-experience-design-1/this-is-why-i-dont-call-myself-a-service-designer-any-more-5dcf639bebe0
• https://www.amazon.com/Elements-User-Experience-User-Centered-Design-dp-0321683684/dp/0321683684/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Grab your headphones, and come walk with us!

Ps. If you want to chime in, DM us, comment on our Instagram, or find us on Threads - we're @paths.puddles.products and would love your feedback!