Mentorship Enhances Design Efficiency
Building the Foundation
When I joined the company, there was no documented design process, style guide, or any references to rely on. Recognizing the need for structure, I took the initiative to build a comprehensive design framework from scratch. This included establishing a style guide and convincing the management of the importance of the design department, which ultimately led to the hiring of additional designers.
Identifying the Need for Delegation
Despite the expanded team, our capacity was stretched thin. I needed a plan to delegate effectively and streamline the workload. The task I identified for delegation was content design—specifically, improving and controlling the wording in our user interfaces (UI).
Finding and Training a Motivated Coworker
I reached out within the company and found a motivated coworker from a different department who was eager to support the design process. Although she had no prior experience in content design, we embarked on a training journey alongside our daily responsibilities. We developed training materials that helped her understand and adhere to content design rules, and I was always available to answer her questions.
Effective Delegation and Trust
My goal was to delegate effectively, reducing the need for constant oversight and revisions. We reviewed initial results together, and I was able to delegate with full confidence—much to her surprise. This trust greatly motivated her, and she became a permanent and valuable part of the design process, despite it not being her primary role.
Key Values in the Delegation Process
This approach saved me time and made the design process more efficient. Key values in this delegation process included:
Competence: I chose a person whose main job involved working with words, making content design a manageable and beneficial skill enhancement for her.
Structure: I organized the design pipeline so that all team members supported her, ensuring she didn’t have to chase after anyone, thus preventing additional work for her.
Autonomy: She had the freedom to decide how to implement her tasks and which learning materials to use. I provided support based on her preferences.
Safety: She worked in areas where mistakes could occur without major repercussions. Her development environment was secure, preventing any unintentional, irreversible changes to the product. This created a safe space for her to grow confidently.
Hire Me for Your Design Leadership Needs
Do you need someone in your company to lead your design team, train your designers, and help you create a great product?
Hire me. (recommended)
Cheers. Your future design team lead,
Franzi 🥂