Org Design for Design Orgs: Building and Managing In-House Design Teams

Condensed version of rich professional experience. Surprisingly books on this topic are rare.

Loved this book. I've worked at small-medium startups for the past 6 years, and found this book very relevant as a solo (or small team) wannabe design leader. Book has tons of practical examples, visuals, and diagrams. Even a levelling framework that you can use to gauge where you are as a designer. Really, really enjoyed this one.

The minute I started reading Org Design for Design Orgs, I couldn't tear my eyes from it. It was almost 2am when I found myself in the middle of chapter 7, and had to talk myself into getting some sleep. This book was so rich with personable, practical advice on how build design culture that I felt like I was in a cozy fireside chat with a design mentor. It was like listening to stories from someone who has lived through it all. Someone who could relate and empathize deeply with the issues I'm facing with my design organization, and give smart, actionable advice on how to proceed forward. I’m a designer and researcher at a startup that has been through many ups and downs in the past 2 years. Our design team has struggled with getting design recognition and getting research to be valued and integrated. We've had designers hit career ruts and stunted growth, and have had friction with aligning with leadership. This book covered all these issues in well organized manner, supported by clear diagrams and real world stories. If you work on or with an in-house design team, this book is an ABSOLUTE must-read. This truly is the book I wish I had since the beginning of my design journey. It’s the book I would reference with, write proposals and plans with, wallow in sorrow with, get uplifted with hope with. It confronts the reality of being an in-house designer straight on. I always have it with me at work, showing highlighted sections to my design manager, to product managers and engineers. It’s not only a book that I know will be useful throughout my career in design, it’s the greatest design mentor I could ever ask for, always in my back pocket.

Reading this book for the second time, because there are so many helpful nuggets of wisdom. Like a great cookbook, this book is a valuable reference to help you develop your design organization. There are actionable insights to guide design leaders in refining their design organization, team structure and operations. It breaks down core areas and you can hop around to different chapters and dive into topics that are most relevant to you. Glad that we are elevating this discussion as the value of design organizations, to design deeper human connection to products and services, will be the great differentiator in the competitive marketplace. Thank you Kristin and Peter for writing this book. This is a keeper!

Although I’m sure the book is going to be fantastic the item I received was bound upside down and back to front with pages falling out. It’s an expensive book for such poor quality control