Design isn't just about making things look good-it’s about solving real business problems. In this episode of All Things Design, host Joe Woodham sits down with Jac Ding, strategic design course creator at Maven, to uncover how designers can boost their confidence, communicate better with stakeholders, and align their work with business goal.
Jacalin shares her journey from quitting design to building a six-figure business and explains how understanding business fundamentals transformed her career. She also breaks down how designers can measure their impact, get buy-in from stakeholders, and take control of their career growth.
🚀 Want to bridge the gap between design and business? This episode is for you!
💡 What You’ll Learn:
✅ How to measure the real impact of design beyond aesthetics
✅ The biggest mistakes designers make when presenting their work
✅ How to gain stakeholder buy-in and speak the language of business
✅ The key skills that make designers more valuable in any company
✅ Why confidence is crucial-and how to build it
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Meet Jac Ding
02:15 - Jacalin’s journey: From quitting design to building a six-figure business
06:45 - How the iPhone changed the design industry forever
09:30 - Why linking design to business outcomes is crucial
12:50 - The common struggles designers face in getting stakeholder buy-in
15:30 - How to choose the right metrics to measure design success
18:40 - Why designers need to collaborate with other departments
22:20 - The importance of business acumen for designers
25:15 - How to communicate design impact to non-design stakeholders
28:00 - Jacalin’s framework for tracking business impact in design
30:45 - Building confidence as a designer: Where to start
34:20 - How AI is shifting the role of designers in business
37:10 - Key takeaways for design leaders and mid-level designers
40:00 - About Jacalin’s course: How to level up your design career
42:30 - Final thoughts and where to find Jacalin’s course
Links to Jacalin's channels:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jacalinding/
UA-cam:ua-cam.com/channels/VUPHxnuMXrkgPobAA5wHKg.html
Substack: substack.com/@jacalinding?
4 weeks Maven Course: "Strategic Design Career Accelerator" - Next Cohort starting on FEB 28th
10% OFF Course Code: AllThingsDesign
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#Design #ProductDesign #UXDesign #BusinessStrategy #DesignThinking