The Art of Design Strategy: Tracing the Future of Design Innovation

by Garkay Wong

Overview

Although business leaders and designers may appear to have different objectives, they actually share a common goal: ensuring the long-term success and profitability of their organization. This book highlights the shared objective, examining the progression of Design Strategy to bridge the gap between design practice and executive decision-making. Featuring the TRACES framework, it aligns design initiatives with overarching business goals, enhancing design-led strategies.

The topic is a timely one. A recent article published by FastCompany has touched a nerve among design leaders, highlighting the urgent challenges and anxieties they face about the future of design. It’s sparked a conversation on the need for a new direction within the industry. As we stand on the precipice of the next design shift and design leaders ponder their next steps, The Art of Design Strategy offers a much-needed perspective, providing insights on how to elevate design to a strategic level and secure its place at the heart of business innovation.

What You’ll Learn

• Understand the key principles of design strategy and management.
• Build a design-led work culture within your organization.
• Examine the TRACES framework to align design initiatives with your business goals.
• Gain deeper insights of the future landscape of the design industry.

Who This book Is For

Designers who are interested in design management and its implications, transitioning from design craft to management roles, and managers and design leaders who are looking to understand the strategic value of design in various business areas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798868805516
Publisher:	Apress
Publication date:	03/03/2025
Series:	Design Thinking
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	241
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Garkay Wong is a leading strategist and designer with extensive experience in the design services field. She currently works for one of the world’s leading financial services companies as part of their design and strategy team.

Before her current role, she worked as an independent consultant guiding high-impact projects across diverse sectors – from Fortune 500 firms to public agencies and tech startups. She has a strong track record of merging strategy with practical innovation and has contributed articles on design and decision-making on platforms like Medium and the World Economic Forum.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Rise of Design Strategy.- Part I: Do Things Better.- Chapter 2: Laying the Groundwork.- Chapter 3: Introducing the TRACES Framework.- Chapter 4: Strategic Adaptation and Risk Management in Design.- Part II: Do Things At Scale.- Chapter 5: Enhancing Team Capabilities with Advanced Tools.- Chapter 6: Design Investment Prioritization and (Re)-allocation.- Chapter 7: Building and Retaining Design Talent.- Part III: Do Things Collaboratively.- Chapter 8: Adaptive Team Structures for Design Innovation and Creativity.- Chapter 9: Advocating for Design Across the Organization.- Chapter 10: Influencing Senior Leadership and Decision-Makers.- Part IV: Do Things Differently.- Chapter 11: Design-Led Transformation for Sustainable Futures.- Chapter 12: Looking Ahead: Design as a Force for Good.

Editorial Reviews

"This book hits that rare sweet spot—clear, practical, and genuinely inspiring. I especially appreciated the chapter on building internal alignment; it nails the real-world challenges of doing strategic work inside complex organizations. Garkay has written something that designers, strategists, and team leaders will keep returning to." (Kevin Denney Professor of Practice in Social Design and Founding Director, Li Ka Shing Design Innovation Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

“The Art of Design Strategy eloquently bridges the gap between business and design. With wit and sharp insight, Wong offers practical frameworks for building a thriving design organisation—whatever your context. A thought-provoking read for user experience leaders of all stripes.” (Kate Towsey, Strategic advisor, author of Research That Scales)

“For designers who have paved most of their career in the craft of creating experiences but are now interested in understanding what "strategy" means, how to advocate for it, manage it and execute it effectively, this is a must-have resource. Garkay beautifully walks you through a journey of how and why strategy has evolved in design and some excellent new frameworks and perspectives for how to integrate it effectively into your toolkit”. (Phil Balagtas, Design Leader, Strategic Consultant and Professor of Futures Thinking HABITAT, Elisava University)

“What resonates most in The Art of Design Strategy is Wong’s emphasis on collaboration - designers, marketers, and executives alike will find actionable insights here. The writing is clear and accessible, making complex concepts feel approachable for non-experts”. (Daniel Tan -Financial Services Veteran, Adjunct Lecturer)

"There’s real substance here, from aligning with company strategy to making smarter tech adoption decisions. You don’t need to be a designer to get value out of this. If you're a product lead, strategist, founder, or anyone who’s felt that design deserves a seat at the strategy table, this book lays out the why and the how. I’d definitely recommend reading it!" (Kevin Boezennec, Co-founder, SC Ventures)

From the Publisher