Staffing Designers for Success: Using the Visionary, Cultivator, and Architect Archetypes
Assigning designers to projects that align with their strengths is essential for project success and team morale. Borrowing a model from the world of sales and adapting it for design, I’ve found that categorizing designers into three archetypes—Visionaries, Cultivators, and Architects—helps managers better match designers to the projects they’re naturally inclined to excel in.
Each archetype brings a unique perspective, and aligning designers with the project phases that best suit their strengths can enhance creativity, productivity, and personal growth.
The Designer Archetypes
Most designers lean toward one of these three archetypes:
- The Visionary: Inspired by new ideas and exploration.
- The Cultivator: Committed to thoughtful refinement and incremental improvement.
- The Architect: Systems-oriented, focused on maintaining consistency and cohesion.
Aligning these archetypes with project needs not only optimizes project outcomes but also helps designers thrive in roles that play to their strengths.
The Visionary: Inspired by Exploration and New Possibilities
The Visionary thrives on big ideas, forward-thinking concepts, and untapped possibilities. Visionaries bring expansive thinking and innovative approaches to the early stages of a project, where their bold ideas set the foundation for future work.
Strengths: Imaginative, pioneering, able to see strategic opportunities. Visionaries are excellent at conceptualizing novel approaches and identifying potential avenues for differentiation.
Strongest Phase: Project initiation, brainstorming, and launch phases.
Example: Our story artist at Animoodles embodies the Visionary. In early project stages, they generate fresh ideas, such as laying out initial storybook concepts and designing an eye-catching Kickstarter campaign. Their input during this phase helps define the project’s creative direction.
The Cultivator: Focused on Incremental Growth and Refinement
Cultivators excel at nurturing ideas into their best versions, drawing from user feedback, usability data, and strategic insights. They’re essential during mid-to-late project phases, where incremental improvements and fine-tuning become critical.
Strengths: Detail-oriented, analytical, patient. Cultivators are dedicated to enhancing quality over time and scaling the impact of designs.
Strongest Phase: Middle to late project stages, where ongoing adjustments are key.
Example: As a manager at Animoodles, I often take on the role of the Cultivator. This involves guiding product iterations, reducing production costs, and incorporating customer feedback to enhance the Animoodles brand. My role in evolving our product line builds brand loyalty and strengthens our connection with fans.
The Architect: System-Focused and Consistency-Driven
The Architect is a designer who works across all phases of a project, establishing cohesive systems and frameworks that support a unified design vision. Architects ensure that designs adhere to brand values, fostering trust and clarity.
Strengths: Systematic, communicative, consistency-focused. Architects contribute by maintaining design integrity, streamlining workflows, and aligning the team around shared design principles.
Strongest Phase: Continuous throughout the project lifecycle, as their work spans all phases to maintain cohesion.
Example: My cofounder at Animoodles embodies the Architect archetype. He designed the cohesive framework that unites all Animoodles characters, contributing to a consistent brand identity that draws in customers, team members, and partners alike.
Why Archetypes Matter in Project Staffing
Matching designers with projects based on their archetype can drive multiple benefits:
- Improved Project Outcomes: Assigning designers where their strengths align with the project stage helps achieve strategic goals.
- Professional Growth: Designers work in roles that engage their core skills, leading to greater satisfaction and development.
- Enhanced Team Dynamics: Designers feel valued for their unique contributions, building a positive team environment.
However, it’s also important to consider individual skill sets and growth goals. These archetypes provide a strong framework, but a designer’s professional aspirations should also influence project assignments.
Continuously Monitor and Adjust for Long-Term Success
Perfectly matching archetypes to projects is an ongoing process. Regularly assessing the success of these alignments will reveal insights for future staffing decisions and project assignments. Monitoring outcomes also allows managers to adjust roles, ensuring that projects and designers are set up for continued success.
In conclusion, distinguishing designers as Visionaries, Cultivators, or Architects can improve project success and create a work environment where each designer’s strengths are fully utilized. By thoughtfully pairing designers with projects that align with their natural inclinations, managers can foster a team culture where creativity, collaboration, and growth thrive.