Design teams that have moved online are facing a number of challenges. This deck identifies some of those challenges and needs. These were compiled initially for online workshops and were also used as part of a Master Challenge with the Institute of Design at IIT under the guidance of design leader, John Payne.

1. Collaboration Platforms Take Note

2. Work from home is the new
normal
Since a cure for COVID-19 hasn’t been found
THE SCENARIO

3. THE USERS

4. Designers Now Only Wear Skinny Jeans
During Client Calls
Designers have many physical tasks
which are traditionally conducted in
studios. All these tasks are being moved
into the online space.
● Visible idea sharing
● High fidelity prototyping
● Concept building etc.
THE USER

5. A Cuppa Teamwork
Team collaboration process is the key
moment for Design.
● Collective knowledge
● Diverse perspective
● Reframing a concept
THE USER

6. THE PROBLEM AND NEED

7. Stuck in the Digital Mud
Remote online working has caused
many problems.
● Less effective team collaboration
● Feelings of isolation
● Unplugged after work
THE PROBLEM

8. Little things can make a BIG difference
The lack of spontaneous
communication has caused a series
of problems.
● Not having timely shared ideas
● More scheduled meeting hours
● Too many accumulated tasks on
to-do lists
● Weak team engagement
● Poor work/life balance
THE PROBLEM

9. Don’t Know What You Got til It’s Gone
Teams need moments of spontaneous
communication critical to smooth process
flow and relationship building
● Not having to schedule every interaction
● A way to casually share new ideas
● Building relationships with colleagues
THE NEED

10. Design Leaders Miss Your Face!
Lotus Lindez
Experience Designer
“No one wants to do virtual
brainstorming. The internal
teams get worn out. ”
Jeff Blanchard
Design Director
“We’re trying to make sense of
collaborative challenges... There
are no drive-by check-ups. I have
to set and reinforce expectations
that it doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Jennifer Lemerand
Creative Director
“Managers need to figure out
culture for working from remote -
collaboration and not seeing
each other is hard. I am missing
the drive-by chats…”
THE NEED

11. These are some of the challenges for your
teams to consider
Contact us for more information
Robert Grossman Yoichi Kanayama
@robertgrossman7 @yoichi-kanayama-
a82854191
These challenges and needs were identified during a Master Challenge course at the Institute of
Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology the summer of 2020 under the guidance of John Payne