Getting in the Game

Kicking off a newsletter about design collaboration

Hi, I'm Mark, and I help teams create impactful experiences and solve tough challenges through human-centered design.

Over my 20+ years leading digital product design projects, I've learned that the best solutions emerge when diverse teams come together, roll up their sleeves, and tackle problems collaboratively. While our ways of collaborating have dramatically shifted since 2020 (remember those first awkward Zoom workshops?) and AI is completely reshaping how we work, design collaboration is more relevant than ever.

As our tools (from whiteboards to Miro) and team structures (from in-person to global) continue to evolve, the fundamental power of human-centered design remains constant. When teams listen deeply to the people they serve, experiment boldly, and iterate based on honest feedback, they create solutions that truly matter. And it’s not a new idea, but I firmly believe that design is a team sport. Like any great team, when you bring together driven, talented players with diverse expertise and equip them with the right playbook, they can do amazing things.

Starting next week, I'll be sharing practical insights and lessons learned about:

• Understanding: Finding the human centers of tough business problems
• Collaborating: Facilitating effective design collaboration (in person, remote, or hybrid)
• Executing: Applying human-centered design methods to achieve impactful outcomes
• Growing: Building team confidence and capability through hands-on learning

I hope you’ll subscribe to get new posts every other week. Meanwhile, check out my talk, "The Once and Future of Workshops," about the evolution and future of design collaboration on YouTube.

I'm excited to share what I've learned and to hear your perspectives on improving design collaboration for everyone.

Mark Buccella, Head Trainer and Founder, Level-Up! Design

Coming Next Week: Principles for Design Collaboration: An Evolving Framework for Better Workshops