Summary
Determining a staffing model for the success of your design teams is one of the key elements for driving success. By reviewing the differences between dedicated and agency (or flexible) staffing models, Alicia Mooty will walk the group through a case study of applying these types of models in her work at Adobe.
Key Insights
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Dedicated staffing builds deep vertical expertise and stable relationships but limits cross-project learning.
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Agency (pooled) staffing offers horizontal mastery and flexibility but requires more ramp-up time and risks shallow involvement.
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Hybrid staffing models enable teams to flexibly cover critical design gaps without waiting for new hires.
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Designer preferences vary: some value security of dedicated roles, others seek excitement in rotational assignments.
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Clear, ongoing communication and stakeholder alignment are critical when shifting staffing models.
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Design debt can accumulate if staffing shifts create under-supported teams with full product demands.
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Workload splitting across multiple teams can lead to burnout and requires close oversight.
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Funding models (centralized vs business unit–funded) strongly impact staffing flexibility and ownership disputes.
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Early involvement of design in projects distinguishes true start from false start and improves outcomes.
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Short-term agency assignments need clarity on long-term maintenance responsibilities to prevent workflow gaps.
Notable Quotes
"How do you organize a design team to work within a changing environment without freaking everybody out."
"Dedicated staffing creates deep vertical expertise, giving designers mastery and strong relationships."
"Agency style staffing gives designers horizontal mastery but doesn't always allow deep vertical mastery."
"One designer's security in dedicated roles can be another designer's stagnation."
"We covered critical gaps without waiting for headcount allocation or hiring delays."
"Creating trust and small group alignment before shifting staffing reduces resistance."
"Splitting designers across teams sometimes caused work-life balance issues requiring more oversight."
"Funding source often drives ownership tension about where designers are allocated."
"False starts happen when design is brought in too late, to fix rather than set vision and strategy."
"Agency model can feel like a fast-food assembly line if designers aren't involved early and meaningfully."
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