The shifting media landscape has given designers an advantage
Kevin Budelmann started his career when desktop computing was new to design, directly experiencing design’s evolution from production to communication to strategy. At the same time, the industry has been impacted by rapid technology shifts that have challenged designers to stretch across mediums.
“There was a time when clients looked to designers for their aesthetic skills and understanding of typography, layout, and color. Then came the internet, smartphones, and apps that propelled us into UX and interaction design. Now, the promises of the Internet of Things, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence are pushing us to apply design thinking into what we create. The good news is designers have had a front-row seat amidst all of these changes, which gives us an advantage.”
Kevin finds exciting the mix of new and seasoned designers. Those coming into the field tend to have a better handle of what is immediate, and those with experience can inform a longer view and a perspective of what may be coming. Both can benefit from combining systems thinking with communication skills.
“Designers have skills that can be valuable in helping companies and teams adapt. Learn more about communication and design thinking concepts. Learn about business and reality. Most importantly, keep a sense of what design is really about — people.”
As president and co-founder of Peopledesign, Kevin has built a firm that connects strategy and design. He believes that the obstacle that impedes good design usually isn’t talent, but the environment in which good design can happen. That’s why the consultancy is a diverse group of strategists, researchers, designers, writers, developers and managers ready to solve problems for clients through design.
“Our goal is to help clients stay relevant to their customers by creating meaningful experiences. We call ourselves Peopledesign to reflect our belief in user-centeredness and collaborative design.”
When Kevin isn’t heading up Peopledesign, he’s speaking, writing, teaching and leading. He serves as the vice president of IxDA’s global Board of Directors, where he focuses on the organization’s strategic direction; is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University where he teaches about information strategy; and is co-author of Brand Identity Essentials. Follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
