Design teams that have moved online are facing a number of challenges. This deck identifies some of those challenges and needs. These were compiled initially for online workshops and were also used as part of a Master Challenge with the Institute of Design at IIT under the guidance of design leader, John Payne.
4. Designers Now Only Wear Skinny Jeans
During Client Calls
Designers have many physical tasks
which are traditionally conducted in
studios. All these tasks are being moved
into the online space.
● Visible idea sharing
● High fidelity prototyping
● Concept building etc.
THE USER
5. A Cuppa Teamwork
Team collaboration process is the key
moment for Design.
● Collective knowledge
● Diverse perspective
● Reframing a concept
THE USER
7. Stuck in the Digital Mud
Remote online working has caused
many problems.
● Less effective team collaboration
● Feelings of isolation
● Unplugged after work
THE PROBLEM
8. Little things can make a BIG difference
The lack of spontaneous
communication has caused a series
of problems.
● Not having timely shared ideas
● More scheduled meeting hours
● Too many accumulated tasks on
to-do lists
● Weak team engagement
● Poor work/life balance
THE PROBLEM
9. Don’t Know What You Got til It’s Gone
Teams need moments of spontaneous
communication critical to smooth process
flow and relationship building
● Not having to schedule every interaction
● A way to casually share new ideas
● Building relationships with colleagues
THE NEED
10. Design Leaders Miss Your Face!
Lotus Lindez
Experience Designer
“No one wants to do virtual
brainstorming. The internal
teams get worn out. ”
Jeff Blanchard
Design Director
“We’re trying to make sense of
collaborative challenges... There
are no drive-by check-ups. I have
to set and reinforce expectations
that it doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Jennifer Lemerand
Creative Director
“Managers need to figure out
culture for working from remote -
collaboration and not seeing
each other is hard. I am missing
the drive-by chats…”
THE NEED
11. These are some of the challenges for your
teams to consider
Contact us for more information
Robert Grossman Yoichi Kanayama
@robertgrossman7 @yoichi-kanayama-
a82854191
These challenges and needs were identified during a Master Challenge course at the Institute of
Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology the summer of 2020 under the guidance of John Payne
Editor's Notes
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future…
The Struggle is Real
I miss Your stink
At least Ican’t smell you
The Team Dynamic is panic
The Team Dynamic is Manic
Stuck in the Digital Mud
Sludge Effect
All By myself
Alone and on Your Digital Own
Lost Your Edge
We’ve learned lots of offices don’t need to be physical
And it’s a risk to still be together
The situation (narrative based on your future scenario)
we are in a future where...
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future…
The Struggle is Real
I miss Your stink
At least Ican’t smell you
The Team Dynamic is panic
The Team Dynamic is Manic
Stuck in the Digital Mud
Sludge Effect
All By myself
Alone and on Your Digital Own
Lost Your Edge
DEsigners DEsign
D-E-S-I-G-N-E-R-S!! What’s it spell? DESIGNERS!!
Design Studio Blues
Binary Code Design Studios
Designer Work From Home
The Great Design Pivot
The Great Migration
Hey, WHere’d Everyone Go?
Smile in your Heart
This COuld Have Happened YEars Ago
Who’s Space? Our Space!
Wanted: Designers made of bits and bytes
DEsigners Get with the Times
Do You Even Design, Bruh?
Is it a Flock of Designers or a Herd?
Designer Now Only Where Fancy Glasses on Zoom Calls
DEsigners Now Only Wear Skinny Jeans During Client Calls
Designers Now Have to Make Their Own Coffee
Designers
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future…
The Struggle is Real
I miss Your stink
At least Ican’t smell you
The Team Dynamic is panic
The Team Dynamic is Manic
Stuck in the Digital Mud
Sludge Effect
All By myself
Alone and on Your Digital Own
Lost Your Edge
Team Collaboration is Vital for Creativity
Team Are Go!
Lone Wolf FReezes
The Life Blood of Design
Unite4d We Stand
The More the Merrier
Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork
It’s Like a Kettle Building Up Steam
Team Perculator
A Cup Full of Teamwork
A Cuppa Teamwork
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future…
The Struggle is Real
I miss Your stink
At least Ican’t smell you
The Team Dynamic is panic
The Team Dynamic is Manic
Stuck in the Digital Mud
Sludge Effect
All By myself
Alone and on Your Digital Own
Lost Your Edge
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future…
The Struggle is Real
I miss Your stink
At least Ican’t smell you
The Team Dynamic is panic
The Team Dynamic is Manic
Stuck in the Digital Mud
Sludge Effect
All By myself
Alone and on Your Digital Own
Lost Your Edge
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future…
The Struggle is Real
I miss Your stink
At least Ican’t smell you
The Team Dynamic is panic
The Team Dynamic is Manic
Stuck in the Digital Mud
Sludge Effect
All By myself
Alone and on Your Digital Own
Lost Your Edge
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future…
The Struggle is Real
I miss Your stink
At least Ican’t smell you
The Team Dynamic is panic
The Team Dynamic is Manic
Stuck in the Digital Mud
Sludge Effect
All By myself
Alone and on Your Digital Own
Lost Your Edge
TEams Need casual downtime communication. The power of simply hanging out together.
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future...
Design Leaders miss your face!! This is a sampling of design leaders across the midwest that were interviewed on what they are struggling with.
DE
Design Leaders miss working in person
DEsign leadership need to build relationship with their teams
Lack of Relationship Sucks
I miss your face
We Miss you face
Designers Feeling Stuck
Lets Get it Smoother
Design Leaders Miss Your Face
The need (what is missing or could be enhanced for your audience)
we have identified the following need brought about by this future…
The Struggle is Real
I miss Your stink
At least Ican’t smell you
The Team Dynamic is panic
The Team Dynamic is Manic
Stuck in the Digital Mud
Sludge Effect
All By myself
Alone and on Your Digital Own
Lost Your Edge