designer logbook | DOPAMINO

2024 RETROSPECTIVE

Retrospective sessions are often gruelling—an honest, sometimes uncomfortable look back at what worked, what didn’t, and why.

For me, they’re a bit more challenging because I tend to break many of the conventional rules surrounding agility and scope. In fact, I’ve turned this process into something far more personal: a chance for self-reflection.

At the start of 2024, I set out with a clear focus on three areas: mastering design quality, improving delegation, and honing my strategic planning skills. As the year unfolds, I’ve realized how much these areas are intertwined with delivering a design that truly unlocks business value. In the next few paragraphs, I’ll take you through my journey, the lessons I’ve learned, and the challenges that have shaped my understanding of what it takes to create impactful, value-driven design.

FIGMACONFIG2024

The FigmaConfig2024 was filled with numerous interactions, learnings, and reflections on the evolving design practice. A lot of discussions particularly in light of AI taking more maturity in the digital industry. Indeed, the whole AI thing was a big deal at the event. Some panels focused on how generative AI will help designers make digital products and manage design systems. My key takeaway was that “prompt engineering is the art of getting the right answers by knowing how to ask the right questions“.

MASTERING STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

A (un)comprehensive guide

Effective stakeholder management is a pivotal aspect of any design project. In today’s fast-paced environment, designers must communicate effectively with decision-makers. Stakeholder management ensures that all stakeholders are involved throughout the design process and that their feedback is considered.

THINGS I NEED TO IMPROVE IN 2024

TLDR – Transform my career in 2024: Three things I need to improve

This post is about things I need to improve during 2024. I want to work on delegating, planning, and ensuring the experience design team delivers a design that unlocks business value.

A few weeks ago, I posted about my design career and my first year as Global Head of Experience Design at Vorwerk International.

When I shared my post on LinkedIn, I received questions about what could have gone better. It made me realise there’s no rose without thorns and invited me to reflect on the bumps in the road of my first year in this new role.

Here are three things that didn’t work out for me during my first 365 days as Global Head of Experience at Vorwerk International.

MY FIRST YEAR AS THE GLOBAL HEAD OF EXPERIENCE DESIGN

As my design career stepped into the Global Head of Experience Design role, I realised the incredible impact this type of position can have on a designer. Through my reflections, I identified three key highlights that showcase the transformative power of this role: achieving a harmonious balance between work and personal life, elevating the visibility of design practices in corporate environments, and boldly confronting issues related to toxic positivity. These highlights remind me of the endless potential for growth and positive change that comes with taking on new challenges.