Without InVision, I wouldn’t have the friendships and bonds with other design leaders that I’m so fortunate to have now. In 2017, Aarron Walter invited me to a new type of event InVision was sponsoring called Design Leadership Camp. Hosted by the Bureau of Digital, this was the first of what would be the Design Leadership events that InVision became well known for. At this event, I realized for the first time that I wasn’t alone and that I was doing a pretty decent job as a leader. At these events, I found the camaraderie that had been looking for in my professional life. These friendships continue today with people like Brandy Porter, Heidi Munc, Danijela Filip, Chris Wilksberger, Jehad Affoneh, and so many more.
Without InVision, I wouldn’t have met my friend and collaborator Greg Storey. We met on the plane to that first DLC. Greg helped me realize that the “not-design” skills and techniques I used were all strengths. It was Greg who let me know that those things made me a great designer and a better leader. If there was a single person who nudged me to go out on my own, it was Greg.
Without InVision, I wouldn’t have published Business Thinking for Designers. When I was sending out proposals, I was looking for a team who could effectively edit, market, and distribute a book. More importantly, a team who was willing to provide the book for free to anyone who wanted it. After a few conversations, it was clear that working with Aarron, Elijah Woolery, and the Design Better team was a great fit. As of 2022, I was told the book has been downloaded over 40k times, which is just mind-boggling
Without InVision, I wouldn’t have at the courage to start my own company. At these events, I realized many of my peers wanted to know more about how financial literacy, statistical analysis, tracking and measuring design decisions, becoming politically savvy, etc., helped me position my teams to do their best work. The notes I took during these conversations were the foundations of a lot of the things I teach now.
Without InVision, I couldn’t have worked with and learned from the 1000s of Design Leaders who have joined my courses and cohorts at Chief Design Officer School. I can't understate the privilege it's been to do so.
Running a successful business and building successful products and services are really, really hard. I benefitted greatly from InVision's product, events, and marketing. InVision showed that you can raise the perceived value of a product through effective marketing, sales, and events, but those things alone will not translate to actual value.
Eventually, the market shifted, and customers found other products that better suited their needs. Perhaps the greatest legacy InVision will give us is the former employees who lead fantastic teams at other companies or have started their own groovy companies.
Thanks InVision.
