Chris Johnson on his time at Speedo, FactoryDesign and writing his book "Design, Lead, Succeed"

Episode 4 of the Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!On this episode we're joined by Chris Johnson.SummaryChris Johnson discusses his journey from studying transportation design at Coventry University to working at design consultancies, Bombardier, and eventually joining Speedo. He shares his experiences and highlights, including working on the iconic Concord project and designing the Fasken Elite Goggles for the Olympics. Chris emphasizes the importance of perseverance and combining passion with design skills to succeed in the industry. In this conversation, Chris Johnson discusses his experience designing racing goggles and leading design teams. He shares insights on the evolution of the product and the challenges of balancing ambition with rules in sports design. Chris also highlights the importance of research and innovation in creating step changes. He talks about his book, 'Design, Lead, Succeed,' and emphasizes the value of setting shared principles in design teams. Chris reflects on his career and the learning opportunities he encountered, including the challenges of transitioning into design leadership. He provides advice for candidates looking to stand out in the job market and shares his favorite book and podcast.TakeawaysPerseverance is key in job searching, especially when applying to big brands.Combining passion with design skills can open up new opportunities.Having access to a factory or workshop can enhance the design process and allow for hands-on problem-solving.Designing products involves not only creating physical designs but also setting the brand strategy and visual identity. Research and innovation are critical in creating step changes in product design.Setting shared principles in design teams helps to align values and improve collaboration.Transitioning into design leadership can be challenging, but taking sideways moves and pursuing further education can help in career progression.Hobbies and interests on a CV can make a candidate stand out and demonstrate relevant skills and attributes.Chris's recommended books and podcasts:Total Competition by Ross Braun and Adam Parr https://amzn.eu/d/ctu55NAThe Business of Fashion Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6Y1STt6SGDnPc8AdDzGMznMonocle Podcast https://monocle.com/radio/shows/Buy "Design, Lead, Succeed" by Chris Johnson here: https://amzn.eu/d/glLIENdConnect with Chris Johnson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnson-design/Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/⁠⁠Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: ⁠⁠https://teamkodu.com/