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Darren Smith

Digital Product Leader and Manager, with over 20 years of experience in eCommerce and SaaS, working for some of the largest brands in Europe, North America, and APAC. Darren has helped companies manage the risk of product development with an iterative and value innovation (“build-measure-learn”) approach to product development. He collaborates with his partners and stakeholders to set and then operationalize strategy and vision. As a leader, Darren has built and led multi-disciplined creative and product teams, set practices and rituals to grow and maintain a high-quality bar, and developed the careers of those in my charge.

How Venture Capital Firms Are Shaping the Future of Product Design, & Why Design Leaders Need to Be Part of the Solution

  • Design Leadership, Design Thinking, Future of Design, Innovation, Product Design, Talent Acquisition, UX Strategy, Venture Capital

Discover how venture capital firms are shaping the future of product design — and why experienced design leaders need to be consulted to ensure creativity and strategy aren’t left behind. This article delves into the power VCs hold in talent acquisition and team dynamics, highlighting the need for a collaborative approach to foster true innovation.

Article by Darren Smith
IDEAS IN BRIEF
How Venture Capital Firms Are Shaping the Future of Product Design, & Why Design Leaders Need to Be Part of the Solution
  • The article explores how venture capital (VC) firms shape product design by providing startups with critical resources like funding, strategic advice, and network access, but often lack an understanding of design’s strategic value.
  • It discusses the impact of VC-led hiring practices in design, which can lead to misaligned job roles, undervalued design leadership, and teams focused more on output than innovation.
  • The piece calls for a collaborative approach where design leaders work alongside VCs in talent acquisition and strategic planning, establishing design as a key partner to drive product innovation and long-term brand success.
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8 min read

Head of Design is Dead, Long Live the Head of Design!

  • Design Leadership, Design Management, Design Systems, Design Trends, Future of Design, Industry Trends, Influence, Product design, UX Design, UX Strategy

The role of the Head of Design is transforming. Dive into how modern design leaders amplify impact, foster innovation, and shape strategic culture, redefining what it means to lead design today.

Article by Darren Smith
IDEAS IN BRIEF
Head of Design is Dead, Long Live the Head of Design!
  • The article examines the evolving role of the Head of Design, highlighting shifts in expectations, responsibilities, and leadership impact within design teams.
  • It discusses how design leaders amplify team performance, foster innovation, and align design initiatives with broader business goals, especially under changing demands in leadership roles.
  • The piece emphasizes the critical value of design leadership as a multiplier for organizational success, offering insights into the unique contributions that design leaders bring to strategy, culture, and team cohesion.
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Share:Head of Design is Dead, Long Live the Head of Design!
9 min read
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