How to earn influence with the company stakeholders as a designer in tech

Building influence is a valuable skill that can propel junior and senior designers toward success and recognition in the dynamic and ever-evolving design world. Gone are the days when design was confined to visuals; today, they play a pivotal role in shaping user experiences, solving complex problems, and driving innovation. Whether you’re beginning your design journey or have already reached a senior position, the capacity to influence others, advocate for your ideas, and lead collaborative efforts can significantly impact your career trajectory. In this write-up, we will explore practical strategies and insights on how junior and senior designers can cultivate influence, nurture their creative vision, and navigate the intricate landscape of design to become influential forces in their respective fields.

L1: Improves incorrect documentation

In product design, documentation is crucial in conveying vital information about a product's design process, specifications, and functionality. Documentation for designers can either exist in the form of Confluence Docs, Google Slides, Google Docs, or Figma Specifications. However, these documents may sometimes contain inaccuracies, inconsistencies, or outdated information, leading to misunderstandings and errors and hindering the overall design process. As a product designer, addressing and improving such incorrect documentation is essential to ensure clarity, accuracy, and collaboration.

L2: Proactively raises issues they spot in retrospective

Retrospectives are invaluable opportunities for teams to reflect on their work, identify areas for improvement, and foster a culture of continuous learning. As a designer, it is crucial to actively participate in retrospectives and proactively raise any issues or concerns you have spotted during the project lifecycle. By doing so, you can contribute to the growth and effectiveness of the team while advocating for design-related improvements that can enhance future projects.

Here are some common issues that designers can address:

1. Design-Development Collaboration…