Design Like You Mean It — A Day to Rethink How We Design
Last week, all our designers and product managers came together for Design Like You Mean It, a workshop led by the amazing Heidi Brown. It turned into so much more than a design session: it was a reminder of why thoughtful collaboration and shared curiosity are at the heart of great products.
The morning focused on the foundations: what we actually mean when we talk about design, how we can connect it to business outcomes, and how to build stronger partnerships between designers and product managers. Later, we teamed up for an exercise: starting writing our mock press releases for upcoming product ideas. Each group presented their “launch,” explaining what it was, why it mattered, and how they’d measure success. It was a fun and insightful way to shift perspective and to see design not just as craft, but as communication and storytelling.
The afternoon was just for designers and honestly, it was something we hadn’t done in a while. We sat down and had an open conversation about what we stand for as designers: what makes us unique, how we can stay authentic, and what truly matters to us. Somewhere along the way, between deadlines, handoffs, and feature discussions, we’d forgotten to reflect on that.
Heidi introduced us to her Compass Framework, built around four directions: Notice (north), Empathize (east), Synthesize (south), and Weigh (west). Together, we explored what each direction means to us and how these principles show up in our daily work.
As a designer, it was a meaningful reminder of why we do what we do — to create with intention, empathy, and clarity.
Later on, we mind-mapped our own soul maps using the Compass Framework. It wasn’t about where our careers are going or the companies we work for. It was about finding our own North Star and the way to get there. Sitting together with a single sheet of paper and a few markers, I had the chance to reflect on my own evolution as a designer over the past four years at Starttech Ventures. When this journey started, I was an excited young designer who had just joined a team, trying to find her way through the world of startups and its hectic rhythm. Today, still working with the same excitement (which makes me extremely happy), I’m someone who knows what she’s talking about, who isn’t afraid to speak her mind or ask too many questions. Along the way, I’ve grown calmer, more focused, and more clear-sighted — realizing this was a nice reminder of who I am.
When we were finished, we all talked about our own soul maps, explaining our experiences and thoughts from the time we spent working on them. Many of us shared that it had been a while since we’d thought about our own missions as designers, instead of just the products we’re working on.
The workshop left us more connected, inspired, and aligned on how design can truly shape not just experiences, but the future of our products.
Special thanks to Heidi and all the designers who joined, especially the Epignosis team who organized this workshop.
