
Design Different
For independent thinkers in design and business.
Design Different is a podcast for experienced designers ready to build something of their own, and for founders who understand that design isn’t just decoration: it’s how your business works.
With decades of global experience across agencies, corporates, and independent studios, Jake Burdess breaks down what makes creative work not just look good, but actually work.
Expect thoughtful takes on systems, strategy, and the realities of modern design - all without the hype. Whether you’re building your own practice or your own company, this show will help you think more clearly and design more deliberately.
Clarity. Systems. Design that works.
Design Different
DD0021 - Why Great Design Leadership Starts with Systems, Not Just Taste
In this episode, I explore a big shift in how I think about design leadership. It's not just about having great taste or a strong creative vision. Those things matter, but they don't scale. What does? Building systems. Systems that help your team make great decisions, move with clarity, and carry your standards forward without you having to be involved in every detail. This is about the mindset shift that helps good design leaders become great.
Read more: https://www.jakeburdess.com/articles/design-leadership-systems-thinking/