What does it mean to be a design leader in 2026, and what can the experiences of today’s leaders tell us about where the profession is headed next?
In this episode, I’m joined by six students from my Design Leadership seminar at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis: Matt Grossman, Andrew Pandji, Ashley Xiang, Jude Licea, Tejas Garg, and Jillian Jackson.
During the spring 2026 semester, our class conducted a research study examining the emerging persona of the designer as leader. Nearly 120 design leaders from around the world participated in our survey, and the students conducted 11 in-depth interviews. The result is a new report, Emerging Patterns: Design Leadership in 2026.
In our conversation, the students reflect on what surprised them and what they’re carrying forward from the research. We explore the many paths into design leadership; gaps in leadership training and mentorship; the emergence of more fluid, portfolio-based careers; and the growing importance of cross-functional fluency.
We also look ahead to how AI and emerging technologies may reshape design roles, teams, tools, and career paths. Through it all, our conversation returns to the enduring human qualities of leadership: adaptability, resilience, empathy, curiosity, and continuous learning.
Doug Powell is an award-winning designer and executive design leader with more than 30 years of experience in a wide range of design disciplines. Learn more about Doug's practice as a consultant, educator, and coach at his website dougpowell.design.
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