Is Design Really That Important? Rethinking Leadership in Challenging Times Ahead
Talk
Is Design Really That Important? Rethinking Leadership in Challenging Times Ahead
19 May, 09:50 - 10:15 (Europe/Berlin) - Main Stage
19 May, 07:50 - 08:15 (UTC)
Continuous Design
UXDX EMEA 2025
Design has gone from savior to suspect in many organisations, and now AI is accelerating the shift again. This talk will reflect on how the story of design needs to evolve, what practices are still relevant, and how to lead when the old narratives no longer apply.
- Identify which parts of design’s traditional playbook are still useful, and which to leave behind
- Learn how to lead design teams through time, uncertainty and shifting expectations
- Understand the impact of AI on product and design roles beyond the buzz
- Gain strategies for staying relevant when stakeholders think they’ve “seen it all before”

Pamela Mead, Global VP of Design,SumUp