James Hall
Director,PARK
Talk
The value of design for design leaders
Proving the value of design — for business, people and planet — has never been more critical. Today’s design leaders are under increasing pressure to clearly articulate, measure and defend the impact of design within their organisations. This urgency is driven by several converging forces:
- Economic and organisational pressure, demanding clearer returns on investment.
- Growing maturity and accountability of design, requiring evidence beyond intuition.
- Increased complexity and scale, across systems, products and services.
- AI and the commoditisation of creativity, reshaping how value is created.
- Rising societal expectations and purpose, placing responsibility on design outcomes.
- Design as a strategic advantage, when embedded at the core of the organisation.
Through real-world case studies, this session will explore how leading companies and their design leaders have established robust frameworks to prove the value of design — and, crucially, to sustain design as a core organisational capability rather than a discretionary function.
Workshops
Value of design (7h)
- February 17, 2026 at 10:00
- Estonian Design Centre, Telliskivi Creative City, Telliskivi 60a/7, 2nd floor, Tallinn, on top of the restaurant "Kivi Paber Käärid"
Proving the value of design — for business, people and planet — has never been more critical. Today’s design leaders are under increasing pressure to clearly articulate, measure and defend the impact of design within their organisations. This urgency is driven by several converging forces:
- Economic and organisational pressure, demanding clearer returns on investment.
- Growing maturity and accountability of design, requiring evidence beyond intuition.
- Increased complexity and scale, across systems, products and services.
- AI and the commoditisation of creativity, reshaping how value is created.
- Rising societal expectations and purpose, placing responsibility on design outcomes.
- Design as a strategic advantage, when embedded at the core of the organisation.
In the morning, the workshop will bring rigor and theory into the discussion of design value, showcasing examples from international organizations and design leaders who have successfully earned a seat at the table in financial discussions and decision-making.
In the afternoon, participants will be introduced to the Design Value Canvas, which they will use to work on their individual case studies — justifying design investments in resources, budgets, and other aspects. The workshop will conclude with the creation of a personal action plan to further develop design as a driver of different types of value.
- Duration: Full day (7 hours with breaks)
- Maximum participants: 10–15
- Workshop format: Flexible table setup throughout the day
- Presentation slides shared: Yes
- Attendance format: On-site
- Category: Case study, new technique, and trend for advanced practitioners
- Intended for: Senior designers, design managers, and design leaders
340€
421.6€ with VAT
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