Challenge

Splendid Unlimited (now known as TMWx Unlimited) provide digital design services for brands across all industry sectors, with teams made up of specialists in UX, UI, Tech and Project Management. The agency also run an academy for junior staff to develop their skills while taking part in live client projects.

Known for human-centred digital innovations, the agency prides itself on delivering forward-thinking solutions. Designops management is a key component to ensure everyone keeps pushing forward, together.

Approach

As part of the day-to-day management of the design team, my role was responsible for all designops, including processes, tooling and training. This involved advising on process and production methods, managing all design software, developing core delivery standards and training staff across the agency and academy,

To keep the teams up to date on design capabilities, I reported from conferences such as Config, held regular calls with software reps and conducted research into new process and tooling opportunities.

The agency transitioned to Figma Enterprise in 2022, and I led the rollout across the teams. This required careful planning to define project structures and roles, introduce the capabilities to teams and transfer teams into new workspaces.

To maintain delivery standards, I ran remote training sessions and produced design libraries, templates, guides and reference materials on an ongoing basis.

Finally, I led efforts to develop a training roadmap for the Academy. The initiative is based on a flexible structure of modules and tiers which allows recruits to develop their hard and soft skills in accordance with their chosen learning objectives.