DesignedUp

DesignedUp is a practical, inspiring guide for modern designers working at the intersection of technology, consultancy, and agency life. It’s written for practitioners who choose to plot their own path across complex organisations, balancing competing priorities while striving to make meaningful impact. Praised by John Maeda, VP of Design and Artificial Intelligence at Microsoft, as a refreshing antidote to career stagnation, and by Jeff Gotthelf, author of Lean UX and Sense & Respond, as a roadmap to redesigning how organisations work, DesignedUp tackles a challenge many designers know well: being undervalued, misunderstood or sidelined in tech-led environments. When design is treated as a “nice extra” rather than a strategic driver, influence is lost. DesignedUp shows you how to change that. Drawing on frameworks, methods, and real-world stories from global technology and design leaders, including Rebecca Parsons at Thoughtworks, Andreas Markdalen at frog, Lauren Pleydell-Pearce at PwC UK, and Andy Polaine, formerly of Fjord, this book shows you how to: Harness your strengths Speak the language of business and technology Influence engineers, stakeholders, and executives Make compelling design arguments that resonate Turn leaders into design champions DesignedUp helps you move from the margins to the centre, so design doesn’t just get a seat at the table, it reshapes it!