DBA Roundup
A roundup of industry expertise, exclusive resources, business support and tools for your design business.
Main Content
Is more of the same good enough?
You’ve delivered some great work in 2023, but don’t rest on past glories. An early reveal from the ‘2024 What Clients Think’ report* shows 59% of clients want something different from their agency next year, related to particular challenges they’re facing. Never sit back – keep asking questions.
How will AI impact our creative industries?
In 2024, how can the creative industries remain resilient in the face of AI’s rise? And how can regulation keep pace with the transformative nature of the tools and capabilities? Will it change your business for the better or threaten it? How will you respond?
What’s your company’s story going to be?
Your company’s story matters. It’s what you tell clients when selling to them, what you talk to talent about when recruiting them, what you tell investors when getting investment or exiting. Decisions you make now impact on your story later. Make it count!
How will we design a better world?
Believe. Be Bold. Aim High. Transform More. Tinker Less. Find Purpose. Follow Passion. Do What Matters. Say No More. Challenge Things. Break Things. Create Better Things. Have Principles. Pay For Them. Inspire People. Support Communities. Learn More. Fear Less. Grow Your Own Way. Commit. A Better World Beckons.
Am I part of the solution…?
For decades design was a driver of economic growth and over-consumption, hence an instrumental contributor to climate change and depletion of natural resources, but just like design can be part of the problem, it can be an equally powerful part of the solution. Your choice.
How consistent was your marketing in 2023?
Stopping and starting marketing and new business activity is why pipelines falter. If this was you, try rethinking your objectives and strategy then plan your activity. If your strategy is right, you’ll have the confidence to implement it, if the plan is right, you’ll have the resource to stick to it.
Are you ready for AI’s reality?
This isn’t the time to throw in the towel on your agency’s human-led creativity. Embrace AI tools to achieve results, drive ideation and then allow your human creativity to shine alongside. This is the holy grail which will distinguish businesses of the past from those of the future.
How well do you delegate?
Delegation is essential to business and professional growth, developing skills and assets, and building team engagement, motivation, shared purpose, trust and accountability. It frees you to work on the business not just in it, supporting future-proofing and helping to get stuff done quicker. How well do you delegate?
Is there still room for craft?
Having caught a glimpse of Ridley Scott’s beautiful hand drawn storyboards for Napoleon, it really inspired me! In these days of ever more dominant tech – and the new reality of AI – how and where does human brain/hand craft fit and perform relevantly (and efficiently) in the current design agency world?
How would you play this (political) party-game?
A general election will be called in 2024 – how would you rebrand the major parties to improve their chances, or perhaps reflect the reality of their policies?
Have you seen those you serve?
Today, business prioritises speed over quality, efficiency over effectiveness, “the now” over longer-term impact – amplified by a preference for flexible/WFH. It is easy to shortcut proper insights and inspiration and this can also be true of connection with colleagues. Get out there! See people face-to-face. Advocate for those you serve.
How do we drive right to repair?
How are you designing products to be repaired, rather than thrown away for a minor fault? In 2024, let’s embrace design practices which support ease of disassembly and accessible, affordable repairs.
Does your audience always get your message?
Success in communication involves precise tailoring, and that means really understanding each audience. Example? Take a look at this video ad from The Beefy Boys, Hereford’s artisanal burger entrepreneurs-with-attitude. Make sure you watch right to the end. Merry Christmas!
How persuasive will you be in 2024?
The way to get somebody to do something well is to make them want to do it. As Henry Ford said: “If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to see the other person’s point of view as well as your own”.
Who’s looking forward to January?
We all know the importance of an engaged and motivated team so make sure you find some time to reset after the festive break to gather their feedback and make your agency even better. As a leader you don’t always have to be the one with all the answers…
DBA Experts are accredited expert consultants who have sustained and relevant experience in supporting the design industry. Browse the Register of Experts and get in touch >
* A new statistic from Up to the Light’s 2024 ‘What Clients Think’ report which will be published in March.
A roundup of industry expertise, exclusive resources, business support and tools for your design business.
DBA member discount to dmi: Design Management Conference Amsterdam
DBA members can benefit from 10% off the registration fee for the dmi: Design Management conference in Amsterdam in April 2025.
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Main Content
- One contributor is hopeful and excited to be championing doing good, for people, places and planet, and is relishing working with designers. We were referred to this resource, the RSA’s the 10 c’s for further reading.
- Another speaker reflected on their involvement with the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards and is looking forward to seeing the future impact design will have on society and people’s lives.
- Yet another participant is looking forward to getting comfortable being uncomfortable – there’s change in the air and that brings opportunities for design. Others contributed similar thoughts and an excitement for the opportunities ahead and the ability of design to emerge stronger.
- One specific opportunity for design was raised by one member, namely the ability for design to solve some policy challenges, but we need to better articulate what design can do if we’re to see designers deployed in this way.
- Another member is excited about the explosion of creativity that will come when the design industry fully embraces DE&I.
- AI was mentioned by a few contributors, from those who were excited about how it can impact the work we do, to another member who said “there’s nothing scarier than the unknown,” and went on to share how they’re embracing AI in a positive way in their studio. Another participant mentioned they’re looking forward to some things remaining the same, human traits for example.
- Another speaker feels hugely hopeful about where we’re heading in designing for a better future, and another was excited as they work with designers making sustainable design a reality.
- Another member is feeling lots of positivity in the retail sector and is excited for the future.
- And finally, a song to see us through the festive period. Personally speaking I’ll be relying on this!
There was much, much more covered in the hour – you really had to be there. Do make sure you join us in our next DBA Members’ Forum on Monday 15 January at 4pm GMT, look out for an email from me in a few weeks with more details. If you would like to attend, get in touch here.
We’ve captured the conversation highlights from the all the Members’ Forums which have taken place in 2023 and they can all be found here.
Members’ Forums are monthly online meetings for senior leaders at DBA member businesses.
Not yet a member? Join the DBA community to share, inspire and learn from your peers in the design industry. Be part of your representative body, owned by the members and working for the members, as we support you in the running of your business. Find out more about DBA membership here.
DBA Roundup
A roundup of industry expertise, exclusive resources, business support and tools for your design business.
DBA member discount to dmi: Design Management Conference Amsterdam
DBA members can benefit from 10% off the registration fee for the dmi: Design Management conference in Amsterdam in April 2025.
DBA Members’ Forum | January Summary
In our first DBA Members' Forum of 2025, we were joined by Blair Enns as we focused on how to sell expertise in creative businesses.
2025: what’s in store for DBA members?
A look ahead for DBA members, including what's in store this January and the many ways the DBA can support you and your team this year.
Business ‘elf: unwrap success in 2025
As the year draws to an end, we bring you festive offerings from the Wise Men and Women of the DBA Experts Register to improve your business 'elf in 2025.
“It’s design leaders, not Gen Z, who need to change”
The DBA's CEO, Deborah Dawton spoke to Design Week about the changes design leaders can make to keep up with employees' new expectations.
DBA Members’ Forum | December Summary
In our December DBA Members' Forum, we asked an eclectic array of people to answer the question: what would you like to see designers achieve by this time next year?
Twenty/Twenty: time to make the leap
If you're considering applying for Twenty/Twenty mentoring this article's for you: 2LK's ECD Andy Sexton, Brandon's CEO Richard Taylor & Point 6's MD Sally Forsyth Spark discuss the continued impact of the mentoring programme two, five and ten years on.
A look beyond the headlines in the 2024 DBA Annual Survey Report
DBA Experts take a closer look at findings from the 2024 DBA Annual Survey Report and what they mean for your business.
DBA Members’ Forum | November Summary
In our November DBA Members' Forum, we delved into the key findings from the 2024 DBA Annual Survey Report, exploring how the data will impact members and the way they run their businesses.