The Future of Design is Business | Mindaugas Petrutis | Drop 01. Ep. 04

Mindaugas Petrutis, founder of Coho, joins us to discuss the future of design and its crucial intersection with business. He shares his unconventional journey from hospitality to community building and entrepreneurship, emphasising the importance of authentic relationships and understanding the challenges designers face in aligning their work with business objectives.

We explore the evolution of Coho, from a fellowship to a platform focused on peer learning and unlocking hidden knowledge within organizations. Mindaugas also shares his insights on the evolving nature of work, the power of curated peer groups, and why more designers should consider the founder path.

The conversation delves into the impact of AI on the design landscape, the need for designers to develop broader skills like communication and critical thinking, and practical advice for aspiring design founders.


Key Topics Discussed:
The future of work and the increasing importance of peer groups. The benefits and challenges of designers becoming founders.

Bridging the gap between design and business objectivesThe impact of AI on the role of designers and the need for new skills. Practical advice for building relationships within organisations.

Takeaways:
Building authentic relationships is crucial for career growth and understanding the business context. Designers can gain valuable business insights by proactively engaging with other departments. Peer groups offer a powerful way to navigate the changing work landscape and share knowledge.

Designers should consider the founder's path and experiment with side projects. The future of design requires strong communication, critical thinking, and adaptability. Don't outsource your thinking to AI; focus on developing core skills.

Referenced Resources:
Business Thinking for Designers by Ryan Rumsey


Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:58 From Hospitality to Community Building
08:16 Understanding the Challenges of Designers
12:30 Transition from InVision to Coho
22:22 The Importance of Curated Peer Groups
29:16 The Future of Work and the Role of Coho
35:05 Designers as Founders
38:20 Challenges Faced by Growth Designers
48:23 The Impact of AI on Design
49:26 Developing Skills Beyond Design
59:47 Building Relationships and Collaboration
01:10:06 Advice for Designers Who Want to Be Founders
01:12:18 The Importance of Side Projects and Experimentation
01:14:38 The Role of Sales and Marketing in Entrepreneurship
01:18:03 Founder vs CEO: Understanding the Difference
01:26:34 If Not a Founder, Then a Restaurant Owner
01:27:44 The Books, Movies, and Profession That Inspire Mindaugas


Where to find Mindaugas:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindaugaspetrutis/
- Website: https://www.joincoho.com/


Co-hosts:
Emmanuel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/
IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun/

Production by ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0/
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