A “design dictator” is someone who has the authority to make design decisions and does so constantly and without fear, never ever works in a design-by-committee situation, and who’s wrong decisions may only ever be measured after a product’s release. A dictator asserts that he knows best and that the rest of the company should listen.

This sounds like it could be a horrible idea. And yes, it certainly can be. That said:

A good dictator is one who is actually right. One who makes good decisions and consistently puts out good work and produces positive results.

A design dictator can work extremely well without the so-called benefits of user research, and can succeed in an environment where User-Centered Design methods simply don’t work, due to a lack of time, resources, etc. He can run purely on instinct most of the time, and be right most of the time.

This is true, though, only when a system of support is in place. No, dictators don’t normally have systems of support - usually they’re systems of sheer control - but in the commercial software world, they definitely must. As long as a dictator is supported by people who question his decisions and make sure everything has been thought out, the company is fairly well safe-guarded against absolute failure while still enabling risks to be taken in the effort to become great. If the designer is made to justify his decisions, his designs improve. It makes him think things out more thoroughly in the first place.

Is this what Apple does with its team of top-notch “iDesigners” (my term, not theirs)? Is the how the iPhone came to be? Is this why Apple can so frequently put out innovative products that send fans into a frenzy? I have no idea.

But I know that this system can work in any company, anywhere in the world. All you need is to take one good, level-headed and smart designer, surround her with people who can competently question her decisions, and give her the power she needs to make them.

Do not ever force him to design by committee. Don’t ever ask a good designer to come to a consensus with a group of people less qualified than him to make design decisions. When this happens, people get dumber, and designs suffer.

If you’re the boss, let someone step up. People are well known to step up and kick ass when you give them ownership of something. A designer with ownership will surprise you. She’ll put out great stuff because she has to. She may not realize great design has been inside of her until this happens, but she’ll realize it.

At Apple, the team can question every decision Jonathan Ives makes, and financial failure is the ultimate risk. In most other companies, a dictator can be questioned by other team members as well, and the ultimate risk is simply being fired. No, being fired isn’t fun. But if you’re given the role of design dictator, odds are you won’t ever get fired unless you abuse your position.

If you’re the dictator, Be intelligent. Question your own decisions. Let others question you. Justify everything you do. You’ll do great.

Posted by Robert on January 12th, 2007