Design Observer

Last week I had a high energy conversation with Ellen McGirt that could have lasted a long time. It was amazing and fortunately we cut it off in time for her to write about it! From #DEI to #AI and even #Tariffs (!) we covered the bases of what it takes to make change (and opportunity) irresistible. I loved this discussion and, yes, I’d be happy for a follow up. My book’s available now so here’s my suggestion for today: read Ellen’s work. Then buy my book. It will make for your best Tuesday in at least a week. #IrresistibleChange #Leadership #AgencyNotMandates

In a moment defined by automation and “instant everything,” the real competitive edge for brands may be the one thing technology can’t replicate: humanity. In her new essay for Design Observer, Kim Devall, Creative Director at Bindery, argues that craft, taste, and the small, imperfect decisions made by real people are what give creative work its power. It’s a reminder that while tools can accelerate output, they can’t manufacture meaning, and meaning is what makes audiences stay. A smart, resonant read for anyone working in branding, design, or creative leadership. Read the full essay on Design Observer. Link in comments.

What if we treated change the way we treat great products: designed with intention, tested with users, and built for real adoption? Our very own Ellen McGirt talks with Phil Gilbert on how IBM reinvented itself through design, and what it means for leaders navigating change, creativity, and the AI future. Read more on Design Observer. Link in comments. 👇

Looking to grow your design career or your team? The Design Observer Job Board connects designers with opportunities at every level. Explore open roles or post one of your own at DesignObserver.com/jobs

Worth your time!

The global souvenir industry is valued at more than $90 billion. Yet beyond its commercial scale lies a deeper story: for artisans across developing regions, souvenirs can represent livelihood, continuity, and cultural identity. In a new essay on Design Observer, Louisa Eunice examines how objects often dismissed as “kitsch” function as acts of cultural survival, adaptation, and global exchange. Read the full story. Link in comments!

In his latest essay for Design Observer, Lee Moreau draws a surprising parallel between The Wizard of Oz and today’s AI era; and how power, isolation, and illusion shape our creative and moral choices as designers. As Lee writes, “AI doesn’t collaborate with our colleagues in the studio… Without much fanfare, it has us all working independently, separately, and siloed.” Lee reminds us: our greatest work happens not through illusion or control, but through collaboration, empathy, and hope. 👉 Read the full essay now on Design Observer

“Design is a practice of reckoning with the past as much as it is of designing for the future.” In the DB|BD season finale, Lee Moreau joins host Ellen McGirt for a reflective conversation about how designers navigate uncertainty, rebuild systems, and stay hopeful about what comes next. 🎧 Listen now on Design Observer or your favorite podcast player. https://lnkd.in/e3_gpv8Z

A nurse brings cake… and people die. Then things get really weird. Inside District Nurse, the lo-fi indie horror you need to see. Full conversation with the filmmakers.

Production designer Grace Yun has shaped the visual language of some of today’s most unforgettable films, from the domestic terror of Hereditary to the quiet longing of Past Lives. In this new Design Observer interview by Alexis Haut, she reflects on collaboration, storytelling, and how design becomes an emotional language all its own.