David Lai: Leadership in Design

By Behance Team

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David Lai is the CEO and Creative Director of Hello Design, an interaction design studio which he co-founded in Los Angeles in 1999. Clients include Sony, USA Network, Yahoo!, General Mills, National Geographic, Oakley, Toyota and Nike. Behance caught up with David to discuss idea generation, leadership, and "putting yourself out there."

In both customers and partners, David seeks collaborators that are willing to take risk. As he explains it, "One of my greatest frustrations I've faced as a creative is having to deal with the dreaded "design by committee." I've found that it is too easy to compromise or simply become a yes man especially when working with people who don't completely trust you. One of the ways I've tried to prevent this is in choosing the right clients that will empower you to do good work. ...I think it's critical to find the right people who believe in you and are willing to take a few risks along the way."

New ideas are conceived in unexpected ways. David believes that great ideas can come "from anyone or anywhere" and manages his studio accordingly. As he explains it, "when we brainstorm in our studio, we invite the entire company to the table. It doesn't matter if you are a creative or not because we think that potential is really in everyone. Sometimes it's keen observation or just seeing things in a different way."

David is an advocate for accountability as a prerequisite for responsible creativity. As he explains it, "being a creative is something you have to earn. A lot of people I meet tell me they are creative people, yet when they are given opportunities to come up with ideas I hear silence. Ideas are about taking risks and putting yourself out there no matter what other people think. You aren't always going to hit a homerun but that's the process. One idea leads to the next. It's not that different from inventing something, you have to try and keep trying. You have to have a passion for your ideas because no one else will."

Links: Examples of Work & Assorted Sites

Huntington Conservatory

Eat Better America

AIWA