Author Archives: David Holston

About David Holston

With over 25 years experience, Dave Holston has worked in the fields of design management, advertising, marketing and public affairs for organizations including General Electric, Lockheed Martin and The University of Texas at Austin—helping them take a strategic design approach that integrates planning, research, implementation and evaluation. Dave is the author of the book The Strategic Designer: Tools and techniques for managing the design process. Based on over 100 interviews with designers, researchers and educators, The Strategic Designer provides an overview of design process best practices. When he’s not thinking about design he’s playing slide guitar in a blues band, or crooning songs on the ukulele to his wife and two daughters in Austin, TX.

Collaboration: It’s What Separates Smart Designers from the Apes

Posted on September 14, 2011 by David Holston

For designers, collaboration provides a creative boost through the shared brain power and experiences of clients and audiences. Check out these 3 tips. More

Categories: Design Business & The Industry of Design, Design Business Clients: Communication & Management, Design Business: Industry Issues & Advice, Design Careers: Industry Advice & Job Search Tips, Featured | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

2 Ways to Link Strategy and Creativity

Posted on July 15, 2011 by David Holston

There are ways designers can use creativity and strategy to develop more meaningful design solutions for their clients. Use creative thinking to help drive better branding strategy. More

Categories: Design Business & The Industry of Design, Design Business: Industry Issues & Advice, Design Exercises for Inspired Designers, Design Inspiration: Creative Ideas for Designers, Design Inspiration: Ideas & How-to Advice for Designers, Featured | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

The Empathic Designer: 5 Tips for Better Collaborative Relationships

Posted on July 13, 2011 by David Holston

Design success is as often as much the result of the quality of the relationships formed with clients, as it is the quality of the design. David Holston, author of “The Strategic Designer,” offers 5 tips for better collaborative design relationships with clients. More

Categories: Design Business & The Industry of Design, Design Business Clients: Communication & Management, Design Business: Industry Issues & Advice, Featured, On the Job: Advice & Tips for Designers | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

5 Questions Every Designer Should Ask Their Clients

Posted on May 2, 2011 by David Holston

Boost a design project’s success rate from the start by determining solutions to problems. To do so, read these 5 questions every designer should ask their clients. More

Categories: Design Business & The Industry of Design, Design Business Clients: Communication & Management, Design Business: Industry Issues & Advice, HOW Books: Exclusive Excerpts & Design Book Reviews | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments