Reflections from Two Years Leading a Design Team

I’ve been designing my whole life, with my experience spanning through architectural design, urban design, graphic design, visual illustrations and product design. I even hope to design cars one day! Design began as a passion that evolved into a career, and in a few days, I’ll celebrate two years as a Lead UX Designer at one of Nigeria’s largest software development companies. Over the past 24 months, I’ve worked on over 17 products (web and mobile): 42% are live, 39% are in development, and 19% are pending reevaluation.

Leadership isn’t new to me. Before this role, I co-founded a design agency and I've led several initiatives. However, leading a team as talented and diverse as mine has taught me valuable lessons. Designers have strong preferences and opinions, making coordination complex. The design process can easily collapse as it involves cross-functional collaboration, feedback loops, and constant iteration. Yet, design is essential — users expect visually appealing and user-friendly solutions, making design a critical factor to success of a business.

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned as a leader and professional:

Embrace Growth & Learning

Creating a culture of continuous learning is essential for personal and team growth. I encourage my team members to explore ideas, explore new tools, and stay updated on industry trends. Feedbacks can also be a learning opportunity that fosters a mindset of improvement rather than criticism. For instance, my team holds design reel sessions where we showcase and openly discuss what we are designing. This practice helps our perspectives by pushing our boundaries and encouraging innovation & collaboration.

Clear & Concise Communication is Important

Communication can make or break interaction, projection or relationship. It’s not just about saying the right things but doing so at the right time and in the right way. Set clear expectations, empathise and ask questions to foster deeper mutual understanding and clarity on the subject matter. This encourages open communication, allow for better insights into diverse perspectives, and can help uncover critical details that might otherwise be overlooked. Clear communication fosters trust, ensures alignment, and prevents misunderstandings that could derail progress.

Prioritize Your Mental Health

Design is a demanding field, and burnout is a real risk. I’ve seen brilliant designers lose their spark because they didn’t prioritize their well-being. I have also been a victim of this. To combat this, I encourage my team to take regular breaks, engage in activities they enjoy, and create boundaries between work and personal life. When someone hits a creative block, I remind them to step away, reset, and return with fresh eyes. A healthy designer is a productive designer, and maintaining mental health is as important as hitting deadlines. The ultimate goal should be a team that’s not only skilled but also motivated and happy.

Design is everywhere; it shapes how we think, work, and connect with others.

Stay Ahead

In the fast-paced world of design, proactivity is your best asset. Always anticipate what’s next and prepare for it. For example, my team starts initial research and mood-boarding while waiting for final requirement documents or brief. This approach has allowed us to maintain momentum and often surpass stakeholder expectations. Staying ahead also means being adaptable; whether by streamlining workflows, adopting new tools, or refining processes based on feedback. When you’re one step ahead, you’re not just meeting expectations; you’re setting the standard and you're happy.

Designing with Business Goals in Mind

A designer’s primary goal should align with the client’s objectives, ensuring the project delivers value beyond aesthetics. When the brief or requirement document is unclear or incomplete, take the initiative to suggest ideas that can better address the client’s needs. This proactive approach elevates your role from a task executor to a strategic partner. By sharing insights and aligning your vision with the client’s, you enhance the project’s chances of success.

Prioritise Your Personal Activities

This might sound counterintuitive, but investing in yourself benefits the business as much as it benefits you. Take time to learn new skills, connect, and maintain a work-life balance that keeps you sharp. The richer your mind, connection and resources, the more valuable you are. And when you consistently bring value, you become indispensable to the business.

Design, at its core, is about crafting experiences; whether they’re products, spaces, conversations, or solutions. It’s about understanding human needs, balancing creativity with strategy, and creating value in every form. Over the years, I’ve come to see that the most impactful designs aren’t just visually compelling; they are grounded in empathy, collaboration, and purpose.

In the end, design isn’t just about what we create. It’s about the experiences we influence and actions we inspire — in ourselves and in others. That’s the real essence of being a designer.