Design has the power to ignite commercial success whether it’s in a physical, service or digital setting. According to McKinsey, businesses that invest in design witness a 32% revenue surge and a whopping 56% rise in returns, leaving no doubt about the power of design.
However, achieving greatness through perfect design is no easy feat and it’s only getting tougher!
With the advent of consumer giants like Amazon and the easy availability of global information and reviews, meeting customer expectations is harder than ever. That said, the only way to stand out and stay ahead is through exceptional design capabilities.
Design teams are the heart and soul of great design that drive profits. But what exactly is a design team, and how can they benefit your project? What type of product team structure is best for your organization?
This article has got you covered! We’ll define what a design team does, share the perks of having one, discuss different structures to consider, outline team members’ duties, and as a bonus, we’ll even share tips to help you make the most of this specialized unit.
Sounds interesting? Keep reading!
What is a Design Team?
A design team is made up of individuals, each with their own unique skills and perspectives, all united in their goal to create a digital product design that not only works great but dazzles the user.
Picture it like a skilled crew onboard a ship, with each team member being an essential part of the rigging and sails.
A design team’s primary goal is to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics to impress the end-users.
Indeed, a product may be functional, but if it appears like a rusty bike, it won’t get a second look. Conversely, a shiny product may attract your attention, but if it isn’t purposeful, it won’t retain its users.
So, aim for the sweet spot between the two, and create appealing and practical products that stand the test of time!
How to Hire Right People to Build a Strong Design Team?
Building a dream design team requires the right players on board. By hiring the perfect team, you set out on the right foot; hiring the wrong group sets you down the wrong path and may lead to having to start all over again afresh.
Though the journey to discovering the design leaders for your project may be tough sailing, but it’s far from impossible!
When embarking on your search for the perfect design team, it’s crucial to know exactly what you require. Do you require some specialist to work for a short time or a three to four person team to become an essential part of your startup? Identifying the right type of team for you at this stage will play a massive role in determining who and where to look for!
Throughout our journey, we’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with diverse companies. From early-stage technical teams to budding startups with existing cross-functional teams and revenue, we’ve been there. Whether it’s tackling the toughest mobile design challenges, or delivering exceptional iOS and Android app experiences, Revival Pixel has been hired to help with design.
A great design team can make or break your project’s success. Here’s how to build your design team that’ll deliver and be a pleasure to work with:
1. Check their portfolios, but don’t stop there.
2. Speak to their past employers or clients to confirm their reliability and teamwork.
By following these steps, you’re on track to find a design team that’s a perfect match for your project.
Now let’s take a closer look at all the roles that make up an exceptional design team.
Key Roles and Responsibilities of Product Design Team
1. UX/Product Designers
UX or product designers craft products that are not just good-looking, but also user friendly. From the overall usability, design layout to the smooth user journey, they streamline the process and iron out any wrinkles along the way.
And their effort sure can pay off big time – studies show that a good UX design can boost the customer conversion rate up to 4X. Now that’s some serious incentive, don’t you agree?
2. UI Designers
UI Designers are not just visual masters of the design team, they are the guardians of your digital product’s looks. Their job is to create an engaging and aesthetically pleasing user interface, from the color palette to the typography.
These tech artists add flavor to the mix, ensuring that your digital product not only works well but also has a personality of its own.
3. Graphic Designers
Graphic designers are the true artists in the team, lending visually stunning components like logos, illustrations, and marketing materials that make your product shine. They work hand-in-hand with UI designers to ensure a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing user interface.
Think of them as the cherry on top of the UI designer’s cake – they make your product not only function beautifully but also irresistible to use!
4. UX Researchers
UX Researchers are basically the Sherlock Holmes of the design world, always on the lookout for insights on user behavior and needs. Their goal is to identify design objectives, come up with strategies to achieve them, and conduct thorough research using a variety of methods, such as user interviews, usability testing, and A/B testing.
These genius minds offer invaluable insights that help to create a product that truly meets, and even exceeds, users’ requirements.
5. UX Copywriters
UX Copywriters are the ultimate wordsmiths of the team, skillfully crafting texts that guide users seamlessly through the product. Their role is pivotal in ensuring users can find speedy solutions to any issue they might face and navigate the app with ease.
The right words, strategically placed, can transform a horrible experience into a delightful one, and that’s where UX copywriters truly shine.
6. Web Developers
Web Developers are the ones who bring creative designs to life, engineering a seamless product through coding. They’re like architects, but for digital platforms! Their technical expertise ensures the final product not only looks clean and beautiful, but works flawlessly as well.
7. Product Managers
Now, let’s talk about the unsung heroes of successful project delivery – product managers. They’re the captains of the ship, making sure the vessel stays on course and reaches its destination on time.
From goal-setting to resource management and seamless communication, they oversee it all. Their constant oversight and meticulous attention to detail keep the design process on track and ensure the final product aligns with the project’s objectives. In short, they are the glue that holds everything together.
Think of all the roles involved in bringing a digital product to life as the Avengers of the design world. Each one has unique skills and perspectives, and when they come together, they generate products that not only work but absolutely blow users away. In short, every role is a critical part of the design machine.
How to Build a Design Team – An Ideal Blueprint
Creating a team of design maestros takes time, requiring a plenty of patience and a solid blueprint.
But we’ve got you covered – let’s lay the foundation for your very own all-star design team. Are you ready to dive in?
1. Assess Your Project Needs
Firstly, it’s important to take a realistic look at what your project requires. Before putting together a design team, have a deep understanding of what you want to visualize. This will give you a much better starting point and allow you to be creative in your endeavors.
As you begin a project, it’s important to gain an understanding of its scope, timeline, and specific needs by answering these questions:
– What services do you require
– website redesign or developing a new mobile app?
– How complex is the project and what’s the deadline?
– Are you tight-pressed for time or have a little more room to breathe?
By answering these questions, you’ll be in a better position to identify the optimal team structure for your project.
2. Identify Key Roles for Design Team
The next step involves assembling your ultimate design team. Think of it like putting together a dream cricket team – you need to make the right calls for each position based on your strategy. Just like every project is unique, your future team should be too.
If you’re planning a digital project, you probably have a whole team of experts in mind – UX Designer, UI Designer, Graphic Designer, UX Researcher, UX Copywriter, Web Developer, Project Manager – or even something else entirely. In any case, it’s crucial to find the right combination of roles and skills that fit your specific project’s requirements.
3. Hire the Right People
After identifying the roles you need, it’s time to embark on the exciting mission of filling them!
But hold on, you wouldn’t want to just settle for any random candidate. You’ll want to search for enthusiastic individuals with the required skills and experience, while also ensuring a cultural match.
When it comes to your design team, remember – they’re in it for the long haul. Think about it like a road trip; no one wants to be stuck in a car with someone who only listens to rock music! The same goes for your team. If everyone doesn’t get along, the journey is going to be tough.
So, make sure you’re building a effective design team that consist of people who share the same vision, have clear communication, and most importantly, enjoy working together. It’s the recipe for success!
To find someone who can provide top-notch product design services, you’ll want to search for candidates with both the right skills and a compatible mindset. Look for a solid track record of experience and a willingness to align with your company’s unique values and work ethic.
4. Define Business Workflow and Processes
Establishing your dream team is just the beginning. And yet, having an efficient workflow can be a game-changer. To achieve this, streamline your communication channels, assign responsibilities to the right people, and establish a tracking system that keeps everyone on target to progress towards your goals.
Think of a team like a well-oiled machine – the smoother the parts move together, the better the job gets done.
To achieve that, it’s important that everyone knows their role and when they need to fulfill it. And, in the event of any concerns or doubts, who they can reach out to for help.
5. Encourage Creativity
If you want a successful design team, creativity should be at the core of your company culture. Encourage experimentation, provide constructive feedback, and promote ongoing learning to cultivate a thriving atmosphere. Make it a place where people can take risks and push boundaries. With the right environment, the entire team could achieve anything.
Encouraging an environment that fosters creativity and welcomes ideas can ignite engagement and productivity among team members. This can motivate them to put in their best efforts, leading to designs that surpass expectations, not just meet them.
6. Evaluate, Adapt and Review
Once you’ve got your team up and running, the work has only just begun. Keeping tabs on their performance with regular check-ins is key to nip any issues in the bud. With this approach, you can tweak things as you go and stay on top of any potential problems.
It’s important to note that what may have worked well on a project at one point might not be viable in the future. So being flexible and adaptable will always play a crucial role.
7. Promote Team Collaboration and Communication
Developing a successful team is a lot like a jazz band: every instrument collaborates, listens, and plays to create a magical performance. To foster this same kind of harmony in a team environment, try encouraging your members to share their ideas and communicate effectively.
By creating a comfortable atmosphere where everyone feels heard, you set the stage for a spectacular performance every time.
8. Invest in Best Tools and Resources
Good design demands good tools.
To name a few: Adobe Creative Cloud or Sketch for design software, Slack or Jira for smooth collaboration, and User testing or Lookback for user research insights.
These modern tools will keep your team creative and on the cutting edge in a rapidly changing world.
Need a Design Team to Help you Achieve Your Goals?
Building the perfect design team can be both exciting and challenging.
At Revival Pixel, we make this task easy and effortless for you. Instead of struggling with assembling an in-house team, why not tap into our extensive pool of design specialists? Our experienced designers bring a fresh design vision to every project, delivering high-quality work at cost-effective rates.
Let us help you turn your design ideas into a reality! We’ll take your business to soaring heights by crafting the ultimate user experience together.
