Reimagining Design, Kevin G. Bethune
Reimagining Design, Kevin G. Bethune
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Reimagining Design
Unlocking Strategic Innovation

Author: Kevin G. Bethune, John Maeda

Narrator: Kevin Bethune

Unabridged: 4 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Ascent Audio

Published: 05/10/2022

Categories: Nonfiction, Art


Synopsis

Design offers so much more than an aesthetically pleasing logo or banner, a beautification add-on after the heavy lifting. In Reimagining Design, Kevin Bethune shows how design provides a unique angle on problem-solving—how it can be leveraged strategically to cultivate innovation and anchor multidisciplinary teamwork. As he does so, he describes his journey as a Black professional through corporate America, revealing the power of transformative design, multidisciplinary leaps, and diversity.

In Bethune's account, diversity, equity, and inclusion emerge as a recurring theme. He shows how, as we leverage design for innovation, we also need to consider the broader ecological implications of our decisions and acknowledge the threads of systemic injustice in order to realize positive change. His book is for anyone who has felt like the "other"—and also for allies who want to encourage anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-ageist behaviors in the workplace. Design transformation takes leadership—leaders who do not act as gatekeepers but, with agility and nimbleness, build teams that mirror the marketplace.

Design in harmony with other disciplines can be incredibly powerful; multidisciplinary team collaboration is the foundation of future innovation. With insight and compassion, Bethune provides a framework for bringing this about.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nathan on February 25, 2023

As a designer, I was very excited to learn from a multidisciplinary leader with such vast experiences… However, I think the title should be changed to target the operational leadership of VPs and C level executives. I still found it a worthwhile and great read, but I have no authority to implement m......more

Goodreads review by Roscoe on March 07, 2024

Kevin Bethune’s "Reimagining Design" is a must-read for those curious about how design intersects with business and innovation. With a rich background in engineering, business, and design, Bethune offers a unique look at design thinking. He suggests looking at design not just as making things look g......more

Goodreads review by Jonathan on November 17, 2023

PRINT Magazine's June 2023 Book Club book. I enjoyed the interview that took place around the book as part of the book club proceedings more so than the book which I found a little on the dry side. The bulk of the book read like a business book with specific ideas that felt like they would only possi......more

Goodreads review by Spencer on January 02, 2025

Diversity and inclusion in design is absolutely true and the responsibility of design leaders to improve. Heading the author’s experience as a black creative was interesting, even though I don’t relate to the engineering background. I appreciate the light this book sheds on an issue of a white domin......more