Wondering if the Professional Diploma in Design Leadership and Management is for you? Settle in for a Q&A with Aga (Agnieszka) Matula, Senior Designer and Design Team Lead at Global Creative, the in-house creative department for Johnson Controls and 2022 graduate of the Professional Diploma in Design Leadership and Management (formerly DMPD).
Discover what led Agnieszka to a career in Design, her day-to-day role at Johnson Controls, the challenges and excitement of working in-house, her experience on the programme and how it has cemented her current role and enhanced her strategic thinking.
- What led you to your current role as a Senior Designer and Design Team Lead at Global Creative?
From an early age, I loved drawing and painting – as early as the age of six as far as I remember! This passion led me to an art high school and then to the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, where I earned a diploma in Graphic Design and Photography. My career began as an intern at a daily newspaper, where I quickly learned the meaning of deadlines!
Over the next few years, I worked with several brand studios, an in-house agency and on various freelance projects. This experience gave me the chance to work with diverse clients, which eventually led me to Ireland. After moving from Poland, leaving my beloved Gdańsk behind to first land in Waterford, I settled in Cork for the next chapter, where I interviewed with Kevin O’Shea, Creative Director of Global Creative at Johnson Controls, for a graphic designer role. I’m now proud to be in my sixth year with the team.
- Where does Design sit in Johnson Controls?
Johnson Controls is a global company that has been operating for over 140 years, providing sustainable building products and technology, such as sustainable building automation and controls, HVAC equipment, industrial refrigeration, fire, security and retail solutions. Our global headquarters are in One Albert Quay, Cork.
In the Global Creative team, our ethos revolves around collaboration with clients to unlock creative ideas that align with our company’s strategic goals. Design plays a vital role by enhancing user experiences, boosting customer satisfaction, strengthening our brand position and solving complex problems.
- What is your role within the Design team?
The Global Creative team is made up of over 40 talented and skilled professionals from around the world dispatched around 10 different countries – Ireland, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Poland, Spain, UK and USA, including designers, videographers, 3D designers, copywriters, Client Service personnel, operations and heads of departments such as our Creative Director, Kevin O’Shea.
As a Senior Designer and Design Team Lead, I support our Head of Design/Deputy Creative Director, John Duggan and provide guidance and feedback to the team on various projects.
- What does the day-to-day flow look like in a global company like Johnson Controls?
Hard to describe it! While Johnson Controls has over 100,000 employees worldwide, carrying out a wide range of different roles to manage, the Global Creative team is more focused. We’re organised into smaller teams that handle different business units and regions. We all start and end each week with team meetings to discuss updates, news, current focus and challenges. Every morning, we have a ‘Traffic’ call to assign new briefs to teams and then collaborate with clients throughout each project.
- What was your experience in design management prior to the Professional Diploma in Design Leadership and Management and what solutions were you seeking?
Previously, my approach to design management was driven by a strong intuitive sense of adapting strategies dynamically. The Professional Diploma in Design Leadership and Management provided me with a more structured understanding of design’s strategic role in business.
- What were your key takeaways from the Professional Diploma in Design Leadership and Management programme?
A major takeaway was becoming more fluent in business and marketing terminology. The course assignments helped me refine my strategic thinking and improve my understanding of design’s impact on business, growing my confidence in articulating it with conviction from one module to the next.
- How did the programme impact your career progression?
The programme has been transformative, it has impacted me intrinsically so far, particularly in terms of how I can grow as a designer. Broadening my skill set in management and strategic thinking has helped me become a more versatile professional.
- Which modules had the most impact?
It’s hard to choose, but I found Design Strategy, Design Value and Service Design to be particularly impactful and they would be high up on the list.
The final assignment on Design Briefing – which I focussed on a ‘GC Process’ – was also crucial, as while the core quality process stays the same, it reinforced the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement in an environment which necessitates constant change and realignment with the company’s needs.
- What is most challenging about working as an in-house designer in a multinational company like Johnson Controls?
Working with specific templates and coordinating with diverse, multicultural teams makes communication and collaboration challenging at times, but these are also opportunities to learn and grow.
- How can you ensure Design keeps driving innovation, especially when the organisation’s core function isn’t design?
Here are my three nuggets of wisdom…
Education is key. It’s important to demonstrate the value of design to executives and cross-functional teams while reminding yourself that authenticity creates trust and a more positive working environment.
Always aim to produce high-quality work and appreciate the importance of the finer details.
Never stop asking yourself how and why things can be better. I would be very purpose-driven in that I always strive to find better ways to produce better work. Challenge yourself and your team to continually improve to ensure the end product is as effective as possible for your team and ultimately, your clients.
- Would you recommend the Professional Diploma in Design Leadership and Management?
Absolutely, without any hesitation.
This course deepened my understanding of our organisation’s business and marketing dynamics and enhanced my role.
James Hall was a fantastic tutor and Niamh O’Shaughnessy offered great support throughout the 10 months.
I am already wondering which course I might do next!
You can get in touch with Aga Matula via Linkedin.
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