Designing with Empathy: Oen Michael Hammonds on Leadership, Mentorship & Growth

New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:/ @artschoolgraduate_podcastOen Michael Hammonds is a distinguished design executive, educator, and creative mentor who has helped shape the culture of design at IBM. In this thought-provoking conversation, Oen reflects on his journey from traditional graphic designer to leading design enablement at a global tech company—all while championing inclusivity, mentorship, and problem-solving through empathy. We explore his transition from print to digital, his thoughts on cultivating future-ready creatives, and what it means to lead with heart in the design world.This is your deep dive into leadership, transformation, and staying human in a tech-driven space.This episode is for you if:You’re transitioning from traditional to digital designYou want to become a more intentional and empathetic designerYou’re building a career in UX, product, or service designYou’re passionate about mentorship and design educationYou want to lead with inclusion, curiosity, and purposeConnect with Oen Hammonds:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oenhammonds/Links to Oen: https://linktr.ee/oenhammondsMore Podcast Episodes:https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcastResources Mentioned:– IBM Enterprise Design Thinking– The Designer’s Dilemma (Medium Article)– Mentorship Models in Creative Industries– Service Design Toolkit#OenHammonds #IBMDesign #DesignLeadership #MentorshipMatters #CreativeGrowth #EmpathyInDesign #DigitalDesign #DesignThinking #DesignPodcast #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #BlackDesigners #CreativeCareers #PortfolioTips #UXDesign #AIandDesign