Leonardo De La Rocha

Using compelling visuals is table stakes in storytelling. When presenting to non-design executive leadership, it's helpful to use your visuals to ground your ideas in strong business rationale. Consider using data visualizations to clearly illustrate the impact of your design decisions on key metrics like user engagement, conversion rates, or customer satisfaction. Use graphs, charts, and infographics to make complex data easy to understand and visualize the potential ROI of your proposed design solutions. Additionally, customer journey maps can illustrate the user's experience, pinpointing areas for improvement and demonstrating the value your design brings to the overall customer experience.

While simplifying your language can be helpful, avoiding jargon altogether might not be the most effective approach when communicating with executives. Instead, frame your design concepts to highlight their business value. Ground ideas in the context of your company's Total Addressable Market (TAM), Serviceable Available Market (SAM), and Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM), demonstrating how your design solution fits into the bigger picture. Then, tie your design goals directly to the company's OKRs or strategic priorities, highlighting the specific levers your design aims to impact. This approach clarifies the business value of your work and strengthens your ability to tell a compelling story that resonates with executive stakeholders.

Building a strong network is essential for staying informed and inspired. I've found it useful to search Substack, Medium, and LinkedIn for designers who write about AI and subscribe to their posts. And rather than attending every event, focus on quality over quantity -- Figma's Config is a great one. Select conferences and workshops that align with your interests and offer opportunities to connect with industry leaders and potential collaborators. When networking, be genuine and enthusiastic: "Hi, I'm [...]. I'm a designer who has worked in [your industry], and I'm passionate about solving customer challenges at the intersection of creativity and AI. I'm also excited to explore how AI can enhance our design processes."

While mastering AI tools is essential, don't neglect the human element of design. Strengthen your skills in areas that AI can't easily replicate. Nurture your creativity, problem-solving abilities, and emotional intelligence. These uniquely human skills will set you apart in an AI-driven world, allowing you to craft designs that resonate with users on a deeper level.

For me, it goes beyond simply embracing change and embracing a continuous, lifelong learning mindset. Designers are innately curious, always seeking new ways to express creativity. This natural curiosity is our superpower in the age of AI. By leveraging our ability to grasp new tools and technologies quickly, we can integrate AI-powered assistants into our workflow, not as replacements but as collaborators that enhance our creative potential.

It's not just about who you know but who knows you and your work. Actively participate in the design community: attend conferences and workshops to learn from industry leaders, share your insights, and exchange ideas with peers. Engage in online forums and discussions to showcase your expertise and build relationships with potential clients or collaborators. Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with other professionals and share your portfolio. Networking is a two-way street: offer support and mentorship to others, and they'll likely reciprocate. You'll gain access to new opportunities, valuable feedback, and a broader perspective on the ever-evolving design world by nurturing a strong network.