Design Leadership Quotes

When I come to a design decision, people know that is that.

Great design is not democratic; it comes from great designers. If the standard is lousy, then develop another standard.

I'd want to start being a creative director of a specific line, like Adidas, for example. If they called me up to collaborate on something, I would do it.

Before I was 20, I was the leading architect of the Southwest.

We really want to be the leading designer and integrator of tailored solutions.

I spearhead interior design for all Trump projects.

Designers are by nature more inquisitive, more connected. They dig a little deeper in terms of insights. They turn those insights into innovation. That connection to the consumer is absolutely critical in driving innovation. It’s critical that design isn’t subjugated to the back room as a short order cook for marketing or for merchandising or sales. It has to be up front.

As a designer, design director or any creative person, you have to hire great people, support them and make them feel comfortable so they can contribute and give you their best.

If there is a well thought-out design standard, it should be followed. In practice, great design comes from great designers. That is empirically the case. If a great designer did a first-rate standard, that model should be followed. Great design is not democratic; it comes from great designers. If the standard is lousy, then develop another standard.

Design is too important to be left to designers.

A good design is not a democratic consensus.

I think the challenges that come with the responsibility of art directing something is something that appeals to me.

Design-wise, I look at everything. If I don't personally design it, I'll review it. I'm kind of creative director of the firm.

In design-led organizations, design permeates every initiative and expression. It's embedded in the culture.

I was the lead designer and the general manager of the triple 7 and, of course, the dynamite 787.

I like people with conviction, who are in control of themselves. I'm not interested in working with a designer who hires a creative director.

There are many design companies, but there are few designers who organize their own business and open it up to other designers.

There are only a handful of designers that influence other designers, and I have to keep one step ahead of the game.

The architect is very interesting because the architect is the commander, meaning the one who commands all the workers. The architect is also the music director and composer. He cannot play each instrument, but he needs to understand and embody the sense of each part.