Get Tability: OKRs that don't suck | Learn more →

10 strategies and tactics for Design

What is Design strategy?

Every great achievement starts with a well-thought-out plan. It can be the launch of a new product, expanding into new markets, or just trying to increase efficiency. You'll need a delicate combination of strategies and tactics to ensure that the journey is smooth and effective.

Crafting the perfect Design strategy can feel overwhelming, particularly when you're juggling daily responsibilities. That's why we've put together a collection of examples to spark your inspiration.

Copy these examples into your preferred app, or you can also use Tability to keep yourself accountable.

How to write your own Design strategy with AI

While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. You can use our free AI generator below or our more complete goal-setting system to generate your own strategies.

Design strategy examples

You'll find below a list of Design tactics. We also included action items for each template to make it more practical and useful.

Strategies and tactics for improving User-Centric Design and Branding Consistency

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Implement User-Centric Design Testing Processes

    • Conduct usability testing sessions with 200 users across Edubanc, EdPay, PayFlex, and Tuition Invoicing
    • Collaborate with operations, marketing, and product teams to identify and prioritise the top 5 design issues
    • Organise 2 focus group testing sessions for Edubanc and PayFlex to gather initial usability feedback
    • Design and integrate a systematic feedback collection process into Edubanc and EdPay product workflows
    • Establish a timeline for regular usability testing to ensure ongoing user feedback integration
    • Analyse usability testing data to highlight recurring themes and areas needing improvement
    • Schedule bi-weekly cross-functional meetings to address feedback findings with relevant stakeholders
    • Deploy changes based on identified design issues and re-test to confirm resolution
    • Create follow-up surveys post-testing to gauge user satisfaction and experience
    • Document all findings and improvements as case studies to inform future design processes

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Develop and Enforce Unified Branding Guidelines

    • Create a comprehensive branding guide that covers all visual and messaging aspects for all products
    • Apply the branding guide to five key product interfaces by conducting iterative design updates
    • Conduct training sessions for the entire design team to familiarise them with the new branding guidelines
    • Develop a checklist for designers to ensure adherence to branding guidelines in every project
    • Set up a review board tasked with overseeing branding consistency across ongoing projects
    • Create template assets that comply with the branding guide for easy reuse
    • Involve the marketing team in the branding guide creation to align brand messaging with design
    • Track the impact of updated interfaces on user experience and brand perception through feedback channels
    • Host quarterly workshops to revise and update the branding guidelines as necessary
    • Gather cross-team feedback to ensure the branding guide remains practical and user-focused

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Optimise Design Processes for Improved Efficiency

    • Map current design processes to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies
    • Set specific time reduction goals for design turnaround, such as reducing feature design completion from 20 to 17 days
    • Establish a shared asset library for design components to boost reuse and efficiency
    • Organise monthly cross-functional reviews to ensure operations, marketing, and growth feedback are integrated
    • Implement A/B testing protocols on onboarding flow designs to validate potential efficiency gains
    • Incorporate design tools and analytics for tracking asset utilisation and workflow progress
    • Run training sessions on advanced design tools and processes to enhance team capabilities
    • Measure and report on efficiency metrics, presenting these findings in team meetings
    • Iterate and refine processes continually based on feedback and performance data
    • Create a culture of continuous improvement through regular feedback sessions and design retrospectives
user-centric-designbranding-consistencydesignerbranding-manageroperationsmarketing
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for enhancing mentoring skills to help grow junior designers

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Develop a structured mentoring plan

    • Identify the key skills and knowledge areas junior designers need to develop
    • Create a timeline for mentoring activities and check-ins
    • Design a mix of formal and informal mentoring interactions
    • Set clear and achievable goals for the mentees
    • Develop relevant learning resources and materials
    • Schedule regular feedback sessions to discuss progress
    • Incorporate real-world projects to provide hands-on experience
    • Organise group mentoring sessions and peer learning opportunities
    • Adjust the mentoring plan based on feedback and progress
    • Monitor the long-term career growth of mentees

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Foster an open and supportive environment

    • Promote open communication and active listening
    • Encourage mentees to share their challenges and successes
    • Build a culture of trust and mutual respect
    • Provide constructive and actionable feedback
    • Offer encouragement and celebrate achievements
    • Share personal experiences and lessons learned
    • Be approachable and show empathy
    • Encourage mentees to take on new responsibilities
    • Create opportunities for mentees to ask questions and seek advice
    • Organise team-building activities to strengthen relationships

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Stay updated with industry trends and best practices

    • Regularly attend industry conferences and workshops
    • Subscribe to relevant design blogs, podcasts, and newsletters
    • Join professional design communities and forums
    • Participate in online courses and webinars
    • Read books on design and mentoring best practices
    • Network with other experienced mentors for insights and advice
    • Encourage mentees to share new trends they discover
    • Implement and adapt new techniques in mentoring sessions
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of new strategies and adjust accordingly
    • Share industry updates and insights with mentees
mentoringjunior-designersmentormenteedesign-teamlearning-&-development-team
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for developing a Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Marketing and Communications

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Strengthen brand recognition and awareness

    • Conduct a brand audit to identify strengths and areas for improvement
    • Create a unified branding guideline to be distributed across all departments
    • Organise a series of brand-focused workshops for FNU staff
    • Develop a consistent messaging strategy highlighting FNU's dual roles
    • Engage professional designers to update FNU's visual identity
    • Leverage successful alumni stories in marketing materials and campaigns
    • Launch a digital campaign featuring student testimonials and experiences
    • Collaborate with influencers and media for broader reach
    • Use targeted social media ads to reach potential students
    • Monitor brand perception through regular surveys and social listening

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Enhance stakeholder engagement and partnerships

    • Map out key stakeholders and create a targeted engagement plan
    • Develop an alumni relations strategy that includes networking events
    • Launch a newsletter for staff, students, and alumni to foster connection
    • Establish partnerships with local and international businesses
    • Organise industry panels and talks at FNU to increase visibility
    • Promote collaborative research initiatives with partner institutions
    • Host bi-annual stakeholder forums to discuss university progress
    • Develop student ambassador programs to engage current and prospective students
    • Launch campaigns highlighting student achievements in local communities
    • Implement stakeholder feedback mechanisms to improve relationships

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Drive a digital transformation and innovation in marketing

    • Adopt advanced digital marketing tools and platforms
    • Create a dedicated content team for social media management
    • Introduce monthly podcasts focusing on trends and experiences at FNU
    • Enhance the FNU website with a user-friendly experience
    • Run SEO and content marketing campaigns to increase organic reach
    • Engage in targeted email marketing for different audience segments
    • Invest in analytics tools to assess digital campaign performance
    • Produce engaging video content showcasing the university's offerings
    • Use virtual reality for interactive virtual tours of campus facilities
    • Launch digital education initiatives to support online learning goals
brand-recognitiondigital-transformationmarketing-managercommunications-specialistpublic-relationsdigital-marketing
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for defining Key Performance Indicators and Key Risk Indicators

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Identify and define relevant KPIs

    • Research industry standards for CAD design performance metrics
    • Consult with senior designers to understand company-specific KPIs
    • Define time-based KPIs such as average design completion time
    • Include accuracy metrics by measuring error rates in designs
    • Track the number of design iterations needed before approval
    • Assess customer satisfaction with completed designs
    • Measure personal development through completed training sessions
    • Include innovation metrics such as the number of suggestions for design improvements
    • Use software tools to automate tracking and reporting of KPIs
    • Regularly review and adjust KPIs to align with evolving project goals

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Identify and define relevant KRIs

    • Identify potential risks in the design process of press brake machines
    • Rank risks by likelihood and impact to prioritise focus
    • Define a threshold for acceptable design error rates
    • Monitor compliance with industry safety standards in designs
    • Track external factors such as supply chain disruptions affecting design timelines
    • Set up alerts for deviations from the design specifications
    • Evaluate the dependency on specific software tools or technologies
    • Include team collaboration and communication metrics
    • Use a risk management tool to automatically monitor and report KRIs
    • Regularly review and update KRIs based on recent risk assessments

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Implement and monitor KPIs and KRIs

    • Develop a dashboard to visualise KPIs and KRIs
    • Schedule regular team meetings to discuss KPI and KRI metrics
    • Provide training to ensure understanding of KPIs and KRIs
    • Use real-time data for continuous monitoring and adjustments
    • Compare performance against benchmarks and standards
    • Identify trends and patterns in KPI and KRI data
    • Assign accountability for maintaining specific KPIs and KRIs
    • Incorporate feedback loops for constant improvement
    • Invest in technology to enhance data accuracy and reporting
    • Conduct regular reviews to refine indicator effectiveness
performanceriskcad-designerproject-managerdesign-teamrisk-management-team
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for focusing on freelance graphic design work

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Build a strong portfolio

    • Curate a portfolio with diverse projects that showcase design skills
    • Include personal projects and hypothetical brand identities
    • Use portfolio platforms like Behance or Adobe Portfolio for online display
    • Regularly update portfolio with new and relevant work
    • Seek feedback from peers and mentors to refine portfolio
    • Create a dedicated personal website for portfolio and contact information
    • Design a unique personal brand for consistency
    • Include case studies to demonstrate design process and problem solving
    • Incorporate client testimonials if available
    • Make portfolio accessible through a downloadable PDF format

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Expand your professional network

    • Join design-related online communities and forums
    • Attend industry events, workshops, and webinars
    • Engage with fellow designers and industry experts on social media
    • Contact alumni from your institution who are in the design field
    • Collaborate on projects with other creatives
    • Seek mentorship opportunities with established designers
    • Utilise LinkedIn to connect with potential clients and collaborators
    • Participate in design challenges and contests
    • Engage in local design meetups and networking events
    • Offer free consultations to build initial client relationships

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Develop a marketing strategy

    • Define target audience for your freelance services
    • Create a social media presence showcasing work and projects
    • Implement a content plan focusing on visual storytelling
    • Engage with potential clients through targeted advertising
    • Create informative blog posts related to graphic design and branding
    • Offer a newsletter with design tips and updates on new projects
    • Collaborate with influencers for wider reach
    • Utilise SEO strategies for increased visibility
    • Develop clear pricing models and service packages
    • Solicit referrals and reviews from satisfied clients
freelance-designnetworkinggraphic-designerbranding-specialistmarketing-teamdesign-team
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for launching the Training Academy

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Develop a comprehensive profile

    • Compile a detailed professional bio
    • List credentials, certifications, and awards
    • Document training expertise areas
    • Collect and include testimonials and case studies
    • Design a professional logo and brand identity
    • Arrange a professional photoshoot
    • Publish the portfolio on the training institute's website
    • Create printed materials with the portfolio
    • Update the portfolio on social media profiles
    • Maintain the portfolio by regularly adding new testimonials and achievements

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Enhance online presence and engagement

    • Develop a dedicated webpage on the training institute’s website
    • Publish content regularly including articles, blog posts, and case studies
    • Optimize the website for SEO
    • Enhance LinkedIn profile and engage regularly
    • Create and manage Instagram and Facebook accounts
    • Launch a YouTube channel with training videos and webinars
    • Use targeted ads on social media
    • Implement Google Ads for increased reach
    • Gather and publish customer reviews online
    • Monitor and engage with audience feedback on social media

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Expand networking and build strategic partnerships

    • Schedule speaking engagements at industry events and conferences
    • Organize workshops and webinars
    • Collaborate with brands and organisations in Saudi Arabia
    • Join relevant industry associations
    • Reach out to HR professionals for potential collaborations
    • Attend industry seminars and networking events
    • Develop joint ventures with complementary training providers
    • Establish partnerships with universities and colleges
    • Engage in community events to increase visibility
    • Form alliances with international training institutes
marketingengagementtrainerhr-professionalsmarketing-teamcontent-creation-team
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for creating a comprehensive OKR and KPI framework for a design team

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Enhance team creativity

    • Organise weekly brainstorming sessions to generate new design ideas
    • Set up monthly workshops with external creative specialists for inspiration
    • Implement a 'design of the month' award to recognise standout creativity
    • Schedule quarterly team outings to creative exhibitions or events
    • Introduce a half-day each month dedicated to exploring new design tools and techniques
    • Encourage team members to allocate 20% of their weekly schedule towards personal creative projects
    • Conduct an annual team retreat focused on creativity enhancement exercises
    • Maintain a shared digital board for ongoing idea sharing and feedback
    • Incorporate a variety of design challenges into weekly team meetings
    • Conduct bi-annual surveys to measure perceived creativity improvement within the team

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Improve collaboration with other departments

    • Establish bi-weekly cross-departmental meetings to improve communication
    • Assign design liaisons to each department to streamline design feedback
    • Develop a shared project management tool for transparent design progress tracking
    • Set up regular feedback sessions with key stakeholders from other departments
    • Host quarterly design showcases for all departments to review current projects
    • Create a design resource library accessible to all departments
    • Implement an inter-departmental mentoring programme to foster understanding
    • Launch a collaborative design sprint with marketing and product teams bi-annually
    • Track inter-departmental project timeline adherence as a KPI
    • Evaluate collaboration effectiveness through bi-annual stakeholder satisfaction surveys

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Deliver high-quality designs on time

    • Develop a standardised checklist for design review and quality assurance
    • Set clear deadlines and project milestones at the start of each project
    • Implement a digital tool for real-time progress tracking and deadline alerts
    • Introduce peer review sessions prior to final design submissions
    • Schedule regular project debriefs to reflect and improve on delivery times
    • Establish weekly targeted design skill training sessions
    • Create a feedback loop with clients to refine quality standards
    • Measure the average project timeline and work to reduce it by 10% each quarter
    • Track the number of design revisions requested post-delivery to evaluate quality
    • Determine monthly success rates of on-time project deliveries and aim to improve
creativitycollaborationdesign-liaisoncreative-specialistmarketing-teamproduct-team
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for learning how to make lounge wear

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Take online courses

    • Research reputable online courses on fashion design and sewing
    • Read reviews and compare courses
    • Enroll in a course that covers lounge wear specifically
    • Set aside regular time each week to complete lessons and assignments
    • Take notes and summarise key concepts learned
    • Practice sewing techniques as taught in the course
    • Share your progress with the course community or forums
    • Request feedback from instructors or peers
    • Complete any projects or final assessments
    • Apply learned techniques to your own lounge wear designs

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Learn from tutorials and books

    • Find well-reviewed books on sewing and fashion design
    • Follow YouTube channels that specialise in sewing lounge wear
    • Subscribe to fashion design magazines that focus on lounge wear
    • Create a list of tutorials and projects to complete
    • Dedicate specific time blocks to read and watch tutorials
    • Work on small projects to practice newly learned skills
    • Join online forums or social media groups for sewing enthusiasts
    • Share your projects and ask for tips and feedback
    • Keep a journal of your progress and learning curve
    • Gradually increase the complexity of your projects

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Gain practical experience

    • Purchase sewing equipment and materials
    • Start with simple lounge wear patterns and gradually increase complexity
    • Use inexpensive fabrics for initial projects to minimise cost
    • Join a local sewing or fashion club to network and gain insights
    • Offer to assist or intern with a local tailor or designer
    • Track your time and progress on each project to identify areas for improvement
    • Attend local workshops or seminars on sewing and fashion design
    • Share your completed projects on social media for feedback
    • Experiment with different fabric types and styles
    • Organise a small collection or mini fashion show to showcase your work
fashion-designsewingstudentdesignersewing-clubfashion-designer-group
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for designing Metrics for KPI Application

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Establish functionality metrics

    • Create a detailed list of all functionalities provided by the application
    • Define measurement criteria for each functionality (e.g., availability of report creation, performance reviews, notifications)
    • Conduct user surveys to assess adequacy of existing functionalities to user needs
    • Compile a report on the number and type of functions offered versus user requirements
    • Develop a scoring system to rate the application's functionalities
    • Organise focus groups to gain qualitative insights on functionality adequacy
    • Implement a feedback mechanism within the application for users to suggest additional functionalities
    • Regularly update the functionality list based on evolving user needs
    • Benchmark functionality against similar applications in the market
    • Schedule periodic reviews to reassess the functionality metrics

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Implement usability metrics

    • Develop training sessions and materials for new users to measure initial learning time
    • Conduct user surveys to evaluate ease of use and gather qualitative feedback
    • Implement analytics to track the number of clicks required to complete common tasks
    • Create usability test scripts to perform regular usability testing
    • Analyse survey data to identify usability pain points
    • Iterate on application design based on usability testing and user feedback
    • Conduct A/B testing to compare usability improvements
    • Set up a user feedback loop to continually gather usability insights
    • Benchmark usability metrics against industry standards
    • Implement continuous monitoring to track usability metric changes over time

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Measure performance metrics

    • Implement monitoring tools to track application response times under different loads
    • Set up performance benchmarks based on desired throughput levels
    • Track resource utilisation, including CPU and memory usage, during different operations
    • Conduct stress testing to determine application limits
    • Analyse performance data to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement
    • Regularly review throughput metrics to ensure they meet performance targets
    • Optimise the application's code to improve performance based on monitoring data
    • Set up alerts for unusual spikes in resource utilisation
    • Schedule performance reviews and optimise based on collected data
    • Compare application's performance metrics with industry standards
usabilityperformanceproject-managerux-designerdevelopment-teamqa-team
Implement these strategies

Strategies and tactics for becoming a freelancer in graphic designing and digital marketing

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Build a strong portfolio

    • Create a collection of your best graphic design and digital marketing work
    • Include a variety of projects to showcase different skills and styles
    • Design a user-friendly website to display your portfolio
    • Write detailed descriptions for each project explaining your role and the techniques used
    • Include client testimonials to build credibility
    • Keep your portfolio updated with the latest projects
    • Promote your portfolio on social media platforms
    • Seek feedback from peers and make improvements accordingly
    • Use portfolio platforms like Behance and Dribble to reach a wider audience
    • Prepare a PDF version of your portfolio for sharing in emails

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Network and market yourself

    • Create professional profiles on freelancing platforms like UpWork, Fiverr, and Freelancer
    • Join online communities and forums related to graphic design and digital marketing
    • Attend industry events, webinars, and workshops to meet potential clients
    • Use social media to showcase your work and engage with followers
    • Offer to do a few projects for free or at a reduced rate to build relationships
    • Ask satisfied clients for referrals and recommendations
    • Create a monthly newsletter to keep your contacts updated on your work
    • Collaborate with other freelancers to expand your network
    • Participate in online challenges and contests to gain visibility
    • Create and share valuable content such as tutorials and articles on graphic design and digital marketing

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Enhance your skills and knowledge

    • Enroll in online courses and certifications for graphic design and digital marketing
    • Follow industry blogs and podcasts to stay updated with trends
    • Practice new techniques and tools regularly to improve your skillset
    • Subscribe to design and marketing magazines
    • Join professional organisations such as AIGA or the Chartered Institute of Marketing
    • Seek feedback from clients and peers to identify areas for improvement
    • Read books on graphic design, digital marketing, and freelancing
    • Experiment with different software and tools
    • Take on challenging projects to push your boundaries
    • Set aside time weekly for personal development and learning
portfolionetworkinggraphic-designerdigital-marketerfreelancersmarketing-agencies
Implement these strategies

How to track your Design strategies and tactics

Having a plan is one thing, sticking to it is another.

Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to keep your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.

A tool like Tability can also help you by combining AI and goal-setting to keep you on track.

More strategies recently published

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

Planning resources

OKRs are a great way to translate strategies into measurable goals. Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the OKR framework:

Table of contents
Copyright © 2024 Tability