Starting with We
Often we start meetings, presentations with agenda, to dos, outlines, goals or when we start a design project we start with why, the brief, the OKRs, the ask, the things we need to do.
My recent trip to New Zealand was such an eye opening and inspiring view on how we should start design. I was fortunate to present at the Designers Institute of New Zealand Digital Forum 2024 series organized by Cathy Veninga FDINZ to share my perspective on design leadership during time of change.
Before starting into the talk, we took time to have Te Ari Prendergast share a Karakia, a Maori spiritual guidance and then Terry Williams-Willcock graciously introduced the Designers Institute of New Zealand Mihi Whakatau that speaks to the groups four Pous (guiding principles):
Mihi Whakatau
Tōia te mauri whakapiki,
(Pull together the rising essence)
Tōia te mauri whakakake,
(Pull together the collective belief)
Hei whakamana te toi,
(So we can ascend our crafts)
Whakamana te Tiriti,
(To strengthen our friendships)
Whakamana te Ao,
(To bring prosperity to our worlds)
领英推荐
Whakamana te Tangata,
(To lift our people)
Uhi, whano, whano,
(Remove the murk, let us find clarity)
Haramai Te Toki Poutangata,
(Hand me our Toki Poutangata)
Tīhei Mauri Ora
(We extend the breath of life)
The principle of starting with the collective pulling together, with a shared purpose that strengthens our bonds, to lift people, to extend the breath of life was such an inspiring way to help us get in the mindset that we are here in this moment to achieve something greater than as individuals.
This principle of togetherness, is also reflected in Designers Institute of New Zealand representation for all disciplines of design - industrial design, architecture, digital design, interior design, graphic designs -? creating a community that fosters individual and collective growth for all designers.
At the companies and design studios I had the fortune to visit like RUSH , Air New Zealand , Gladeye , Fisher & Paykel Appliances , ThoughtFull , WARREN AND MAHONEY and designers I talked with, all shared the principle of starting with We. All willingly investing time to connect as humans to strive to create better outcomes.
It is such an inspiring model, and perhaps it's unique to New Zealand, but I can't help reflect on how "design" is often fragmented into different disciplines that focus on its own areas of expertise and growth.
As you start your next design project, before you jump into the work, take a moment to reflect on "we", generate your own collective principles, pull together the team to bring prosperity to our worlds and lift our people.
Design Strategist & Leadership Consultant | Professor of Practice, Graphic Design | Public Speaker & Workshop Facilitator
5 个月Thanks for the translation. It’s always powerful to watch. It’s even more powerful now that know what it means.
Chief Customer Officer @ Rush Digital | HCD and Technology practitioner | FDINz board member
6 个月It was an honour to introduce you Albert Shum. I am so pleased you were inspired by your trip to New Zealand and how the design community embraces the values and practices of Maori culture! Not being from New Zealand myself, I have witnessed firsthand the unique approach. It is so powerful and I believe delivers a better design for whoever it might be serving
Ngai Tahu, Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngati Porou // Kaupapa Maori Design Specialist in Health, Housing and Civic // Associate Principal at WARREN AND MAHONEY // TIKANGA LED // MATAURANGA INFORMED // AROHA DRIVEN
6 个月You have captured the essence of our cultural practice of karakia beautifully and agree it has relevance in all aspects of work and life, to reflect and set the intention of the day. Your talk very much resonated with a lot of what we as indigenous people try to bring to design in practice and the community!
Group Chair and Principal at WARREN AND MAHONEY
6 个月Great to meet you, Albert, and to read your reflections from the visit! Te Ari Prendergast, WARREN AND MAHONEY