Designer Paths
Challenge
How might we enable the next generation of designers to forge intentional growth paths?
Opportunity
The rise of design roles have sparked the need for a deliberate and intentional career growth framework. To date, organizations such as Medium.com have been proponents of such a pathway for their own internal hires, namely, Engineers. This brings about the question of a model that casts designers forthward into their careers. Imagine HR teams that are enabled with a framework that acknowledges and supports the possible career pathways within a company and even more holistically, a model that a designer can carry with them beyond the walls of their most immediate employer.
Orb Design Framework
Persistent Practice
Sphere 1
Behavioral Temperament
Drives continuous growth in the field of design through applied experiential knowledge
Attributes
- Applies a persistent growth mindset to design challenges
- Sees design as continual practice (beginners mind)
- Charts a design-led growth plan for advancing into industry
Systems Mindset
Sphere 2
Behavioral Temperament
Processes design decisions through the lens of a systems-based, problem-solving framework
Attributes
- Frames the world through (both/and) thinking
- Connects dots at micro/macro scales
- Views human design challenges as complex
Creative Influencer
Sphere 3
Behavioral Temperament
Builds unrelenting alliances across the organization to positively inform the value of design-driven practices
Attributes
- Confronts challenges by embracing ambiguity
- Embodies a human-centric design ethos
- Beholds thinking from a collective mindset
Team Togetherness
Sphere 4
Behavioral Temperament
Evangelizes continual advancements of team process, policy, and procedure
Attributes
- Builds alliances across teams in the organization
- Considers communication workflows as ever-evolving
- Perpetually experiments with advancing team dynamics
Future Forward
Sphere 5
Behavioral Temperament
Views the world as perpetually regenerative through the advancement of “other”-centered design practices
Attributes
- Orients thinking towards a future yet seen
- Sees design as a continually advancing practice
- Proactively engages in the future of design
Circular Impact
Sphere 6
Behavioral Temperament
Promotes impactful design work that is mission-driven both personal and at an organizational level
Attributes
- Self propelled to lead through impact
- Interweaves the org mission and personal impact
- Creates circular networks to galvanize design
Design Champion
Sphere 7
Behavioral Temperament
Forges connections that are deep-seated in strategic design-led leadership
Attributes
- Seeks/offers design mentorship
- Evangelist of design methodology
- Engages as a design industry thought leader