Join founders and business leaders committed to strategic digital growth. The fwd design co newsletter provides monthly insights into our studio's approach to solving complex design challenges. Follow along as we share case studies, project developments, and industry perspectives from our work as a strategic design consultancy. Whether you're scaling a digital product or transforming your brand experience, you'll get an inside look at how intentional design drives business outcomes. Stay connected with our studio's evolution as we partner with forward-thinking organizations.
Design & Grow π± | From Corporate to Independent
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Hi Reader π, Last week we explored how business thinking shapes design decisions. But there's another layer to my perspective on business and design β one that comes from an unexpected place. Before becoming a product designer and founding fwd design co, I worked as a systems analyst. I spent my days implementing HR systems, analyzing workflows, and ensuring data consistency. Yet that experience is the foundation of my approach to design. Today, I'm sharing how a "non-design" background can actually be an advantage in building a strategic design practice. The Unexpected Advantage of a Business BackgroundHere's what most career-change stories don't tell you: "non-design" corporate experience isn't a detour β it's an asset that enriches your design career. Working with complex systems, analyzing user needs, and understanding business operations gives you a perspective that's increasingly valuable in product design. Three ways your business background becomes your design superpower:
The trick isn't unlearning your business experience β it's leveraging it in your design practice. From the Studiobehind-the-scenes look at current projects or case studies Here's a video sharing how business thinking elevates design work. You'll learn:
β Design Librarycurated resources for continuous learning These resources provide diverse perspectives on the intersection of business and design. π The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the next Competitive Advantage by Roger L. Martin - A compelling roadmap for professionals seeking to blend analytical thinking with creative design strategies. π§ 'How I Built This with Guy Raz' - the episode Airbnb: Joe Gebbia - How creative problem-solving and unexpected career paths can lead to groundbreaking design innovations. πΊ TED Talk by Tim Brown titled "Designers - Think Big!" - how designers can think beyond aesthetics and use their skills to solve complex challenges. β Weekly Resourcefeatured resource from fwd design co Ready to build a stronger foundation for your design business? Try fwd foundations: design + business, a free 5-day email course that breaks down essential business concepts every designer needs to know. You'll learn:
Join the founding cohort and get exclusive access to our Discord community where we'll tackle challenges together.
How has your non-design experience (whether from a previous career or other interests) shaped your approach to strategic design? Reply and share your perspective β I love learning how different backgrounds enrich our design community. Until next week, |
fwd design co
Join founders and business leaders committed to strategic digital growth. The fwd design co newsletter provides monthly insights into our studio's approach to solving complex design challenges. Follow along as we share case studies, project developments, and industry perspectives from our work as a strategic design consultancy. Whether you're scaling a digital product or transforming your brand experience, you'll get an inside look at how intentional design drives business outcomes. Stay connected with our studio's evolution as we partner with forward-thinking organizations.
Hi Reader π, You may notice things look a little different. As fwd design co continues to evolve, I'm eager to share some important changes to how we'll be communicating with you going forward. Introducing Our New Newsletter Structure fwd design co newsletter (what youβre reading now) is evolving into a monthly studio update focused on our work as a strategic design consultancy. Youβll get insights into our approach, client projects, industry perspectives, and company newsβall centered on how...
Hi Reader π, Last week, I built a website that intentionally breaks fundamental design principles. The result? A deliberately chaotic interface that rejects hierarchy, proximity, contrast, and structure. This experiment specifically challenged Gestalt principles β the fundamental laws that describe how our brains organize visual information. These principles (like proximity, similarity, and continuity) have shaped design for decades because they reflect how we naturally process information....
Hi Reader π, This week's newsletter is a break from typical content. Instead of writing a "thought piece" or "design insights", I'm plugging my services. :) I'm opening a limited number of project partnerships for March 2025, and I wanted my newsletter community to hear about it first. What You Get: A strategic design partner who combines MBA-level analysis with hands-on UX expertise Digital experiences that work seamlessly across every screen Results-driven success focused on measurable...