Design directors each share the most important lessons they've learned during their careers.

What DO Design Directors Know? That is a BIG question. Simply put, Design Directors know A LOT. They have to. They are strategic problem solvers, expert tastemakers and skilled communicators. Great Design Directors inspire teams to do brilliant work, while instilling clients with confidence in the design process. Design Directors care about the sketched details and the final execution. Design Directors are also always excited to share stories and insights into what they do and what they know. Join us for this discussion with experienced professionals who will each provide an insider's understanding of the joys and challenges of this integral role within any creative agency and what you need to know to achieve this position in your own creative career.

Presentations:

Hot Mess, Cool Work, presented by Holly Gallacher RGD, Design Director at Daughter Creative
Embracing Chaos and Designing through it. Emotions, Instinct & Creativity

Emotions: The part no one prepared me for, turns out directing also means directing people, real life human beings and with that, comes emotion.
Instinct: Making decisions, and making them fast. Relying on past experience, whether it be good or bad to make the right call.
Creativity: Keeping curious and rejecting complacency. Feeding off the surrounding team to keep things interesting, and embracing experimentation.

Presenting Is a Design Skill, presented by Tyler Dias RGD, Founder and Design Director at Pixels&
A practical look at how understanding your client, speaking in your own voice, and knowing your sh*t can turn presenting from something you dread into something you’re genuinely good at.

Designing with Nerve, presented by Zoe Kim, Design Director at Anomaly
How designers can distinguish themselves at senior levels by building the capacity to challenge and expanding the scope of what design can influence. While craft becomes an expected baseline as your career progresses, true differentiation will come from strategic thinking, a willingness to question the status quo, and the ability to drive innovation that shapes more meaningful outcomes. Designers with a bit of nerve can be a catalyst, influencing bigger decisions and inspiring teams to imagine and build the future we actually want to live in.