Explore every episode of the podcast Isometric View

Design is entering an exciting period of change. Technology is creating new opportunities, organizations are evolving, and we as designers are having more influence than ever in shaping what comes next. 

In this episode, we are joined by Pip Tompkin and Sean Hughes to talk about the changing role of design leadership and the organizations they lead.

Pip Tompkin hails from Nottingham, England. Pip's illustrious career spans Europe, Asia, and the US, collaborating with industry leaders including Microsoft, Dell, HP, Vizio, Polycom, Twitter, and Nokia. In 2008 he founded Pip Tompkin Design Studio in Los Angeles, renowned for groundbreaking products and brands. Pip's commitment to sustainable design is exemplified by partnerships like Lettuce Grow, which are revolutionizing food production. After graduating with top honors in Industrial Design from Northumbria University, he earned a Master's from The Royal College of Art. In 2018, both his studio and startup, Mr Pip, were acquired by ThreeSixty Group, propelling Pip's vision for a transformative future, where he held the position of Chief Design Officer from 2018 to 2024.

Sean Hughes With over 25 years of experience across three continents, Sean has led multidisciplinary, award-winning teams that have delivered significant business results whileemphasizing design as a key component of sustainable competitive advantage. During his time at Philips, he held numerous roles including Chief Design Officer for Philips Healthcare, Head of Design for Philips Design Consulting practice. Recently joining CGI, a global IT and Management Consulting practice, he serves as Vice President of Design for CGI Federal.

He focused on creating a wide array of solutions for healthcare providers, combining products, software, and digital services with architectural concepts to transform healthcare delivery. His work aims to provide intuitive digital services that meet the needs of citizens and employees, enhancing user-friendly and efficient government solutions. Sean holds a Master's degree in Industrial Design from the Royal College of Art and a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design/Engineering from the University of Teesside in the United Kingdom

We live in a world shaped by Design, but the people, decisions, and systems behind it are often invisible.

In each episode, we take a closer look at how design actually happens - from the first spark of an idea to the realities of engineering, manufacturing, human factors, branding, and business. 

We explore the challenges of designing for high-stakes environments, the evolution of creative workflows, and the constant tension between ambition, impact, and commercial reality. 

We talk with the people who make things, designers, engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and technologists, to understand not just what they created, but how and why they created it.

Launching a brand is challenging, and too many startups struggle because their innovative ideas don't capture the attention of the right people.

It's key for startup founders to prioritize their brand message as much as their product roadmap. Understanding the target audience - who they are, how they perceive their problems, and their current solutions is crucial. The better the grasp on their mindset, the more likely they will engage with your brand.

Developing a successful brand eventually a unique blend of elements tailored to resonate deeply with its intended audience.

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About the Panelists:

Fabian Geyrhalter is a brand strategist and creative director who was born in Vienna, Austria, and has been living in Los Angeles for over half his life. He understands that any venture can turn into an admired brand if developed in an intrinsic, holistic, and methodological manner.
Fabian has deep expertise in guiding companies through their brand transformations and has been sought out by companies such as Marriott International, Warner Brothers, Match Group, Honeywell, Kaplan, and Randstad. His thoughts on branding have appeared in publications like Inc., Forbes, Entrepreneur, and The Washington Post.
All three of his books became international Amazon best-sellers and turned into go-to resources for entrepreneurs and marketers alike. From his Resonaid brand strategy workshops to the Hitting the Mark podcast, Fabian is in a constant stimulation cycle, which is clearly visible when he advises clients or shares his insights with his followers.

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Kevin Gallagher
An award-winning design leader specializing in innovative, user-centric brand and product strategies for leading technology and fashion brands such as Bergdorf Goodman, Coach, Dell, IBM, Thule. Holder of multiple design patents and frequent guest lecturer at educational institutions including RISD, MIT, Yale, Harvard, Brown, Parsons, and SCAD.

Kevin views design insight and design thinking as substantial competitive advantages, ensuring that only the most refined, market-ready ideas are brought to life. Driven by a mission to make design a strategic asset, he excels at helping designers develop their craft while collaborating on product development efforts that strengthen underlying brands. Throughout his career, Kevin has focused on delivering precisely targeted, human-centered brand and product solutions for global organizations such as Dell, Lenovo, HP, IBM, and Coach.

Gregor Mittersinker

Austrian-born Gregor is in his element while dissecting most complex business & technology challenges and creating their next level business outcomes. Prior to starting Loft, Gregor led a Strategy & Design team at Accenture Interactive, where he helped launch new multi-billion dollar businesses for global fortune 500 companies. He also led creative teams at Rollerblade, InMusic & Cross. He has worked in the US, Europe & Asia over the past 30 years has earned numerous design awards as well as holds well over 100 patents for product innovations around the globe.

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About Isometric View.

We live in a world shaped by Design, but the people, decisions, and systems behind it are often invisible.

In each episode, we take a closer look at how design actually happens - from the first spark of an idea to the realities of engineering, manufacturing, human factors, branding, and business. 

We explore the challenges of designing for high-stakes environments, the evolution of creative workflows, and the constant tension between ambition, impact, and commercial reality. 

We talk with the people who make things, designers, engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and technologists, to understand not just what they created, but how and why they created it.