Design Ops with Karline Segan

Webinar recording.

Photo by John Jennings on Unsplash

Earlier today, members of the Design Mavericks community gathered for an insightful webinar on the topic of Design Ops. This subject is particularly close to my heart, as I have personally witnessed the transformative impact that a dedicated Design Ops function can have on an organisation’s ability to harness design for meaningful change.

This session featured Karline Segan, who shared her experience establishing a Design Ops function within a large, complex manufacturing organisation. Her focus was on designing and implementing a design system to scale design, expand its reach, and make its value more visible across the business.

Karline shared several key lessons learned at various levels—from communication to strategy. However, what resonated most with me were her reflections on her personal journey as a leader. Three key insights stood out:

1. The Need for External Support
   When driving a transformative effort, external support is crucial. Having a sparring partner—someone outside the immediate context—can help you maintain perspective, provide valuable insights, and preserve sanity amidst the challenges of change.

2. Zooming Out to the Endgame
   You must constantly zoom out—all the way to the end of the game—to the grandest vision of success. This ability to step back is fundamental to avoid losing yourself in the details and to remain aware of what to prioritise.

3. Adapting to Organisational Shifts
   Finally, if during the transformation effort you find yourself within a reorg—let’s be honest, it is very likely you will—then look at the reorg proactively. Understand the new roles, the power dynamics, and what people are trying to achieve. What’s beyond what you can see? How can you use it to your advantage? What are the levers you must use? What risks do you envision?

For those of you who are paying members, the full recording of the session is now available. You’ll find the video below.

As some of you may have noticed, in 2025, I shifted my blogging cadence to every other week rather than weekly. This change allows for better engagement, prevents content from becoming overwhelming, and better aligns with my workload.

I’ll see you all in two weeks for the next post!