Talking with Design Thinker: David Burney, Part I

Many of us are heartbroken.  We love artifacts of design: the photo, the logo, the brochure, the packaging.  As uncomfortable as change feels, our economy has moved away from industry or information and into ideas.  Design thinking will replace designing artifacts as the focus of our creative institutions.

Designers are moving upstream or risk being mistaken for floating fish.  It may be time to stop promoting objet d’art and rediscover our value to both emerging and evolving companies.

Fast competition makes you question who you’re going to be next.  Disruptive ideas with smart clear design thinking helps us with answers and understanding; it goes beyond the artifact but nonetheless tells a compelling story with real value to courageous forward leaning companies bent on survival.   - Bruce DeBoer

In part I of the interview for PermissionToSuck.com, David Burney begins to explain how he thinks design is changing.

Biography (via NEW KIND website)

David has nearly 30 years experience building and leading creative services organizations. Most recently, David served for 4 1/2 years as Vice President of Brand Communications and Design at Red Hat—one of the most disruptive technology brands in the world. David led the company’s overall brand communications strategy, including all creative communications functions.

Prior to Red Hat, David was the owner of Burney Design, partner and Chief Creative Officer at Capstrat, and Chief Designer at the NC Museum of Art.

In addition to serving as Red Hat’s brand executive, David also created an internal innovation program to drive the power of design thinking throughout the company. The program fast became an integral part of quarterly executive meetings. It was subsequently leveraged across the company worldwide to create departmental and individual goals that align with annual corporate business objectives.

David is an active and long-time member of AIGA, the professional association for design. He was a founding member of the Raleigh chapter where he has served as President. He has also served as the Chair of the National President’s Council.