Douglas Davis is a designer, author, filmmaker, digital marketer and an educator. His book, “Creative Strategy and the Business of Design” helps readers truly understand design’s place in business. And it goes even further to illustrate how to marry the magic of creativity with the logic and language of strategy and finance. Douglas also shares the back story of his new film, “Imported from Brooklyn.” And the professor offers up his unique approach to teaching design born from his remarkable journey to NYC from Lexington, South Carolina. Only on the Disruptor Series Podcast. Listen Here >
Douglas Davis On Creative Strategy and The Business Of Design
Douglas Davis, author of the book "Creative Strategy and the Business of Design" talks about how to empower a designer to grow into a business. As well as shares how a strategic creative can put together the ideal creative brief. Read the full interview >
Emerging Leaders
This week, we are kicking off a new series that will be complimentary to our Emerging Voices series. Titled Emerging Leaders, this interview series will feature educators, mentors and industry leaders who are investing their time and resources into guiding the next generation of designers. Read the Interview Here >
Let’s Cut the Bullshit—Here’s What it Really Means to Diversify Your Workplace. Surface-level tactics won’t cut it.
“To Douglas Davis, co-chair of AIGA’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, the idea of inclusivity is rooted in “belonging.” “There’s a designer who might need a wheelchair, or someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, and that designer is coming to this profession and asking ‘Do I belong?’” says Davis. People in leadership positions should ask their team if they feel like they belong, and if they do, then the organization can conclude that it’s a relevant company (time and time again, it’s been proven that diverse organizations are better equipped to serve customers and minimize bias, thus making them relevant). “Employees have to be sober enough to look at the truth,” says Davis. “If people are leaving an organization in droves, it’s because it’s tone deaf at some level.” Assessing itself through the lenses of “belonging” and “relevance” helps organizations stay accountable to those they’re hiring; a sense of “belonging” naturally builds trust and productiveness. But of course, belonging can be relative.” Read the article >
Creative Strategy and the Business of Design
“Am I a designer, or am I a strategist, is like asking what’s more important air or food?” - Douglas
So many designers feel like they are at a crossroads in the conversation between strategy and creativity. My take on this is that some choices are not a choice. In this conversation with Stef, we dive into the designer as a translator who has no choice but to speak and understand strategy. Listen here >