How your design superpowers can spark innovation with Ian Crawford from NatWest Group.

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How can you encourage a retail bank, which will always focus on risk management and stability, to innovate?
 
In this episode we talk with Ian Crawford, NatWest Group's Head of Innovation Design. We  explore the ways in which designers are uniquely positioned to help corporate innovation programs to think differently.

Ian shares how his group interviews design candidates to evaluate their innovation mindsets, and talks about the trends that his group believe will reshape retail banking in the future. 

In a conversation that roams from Dieter Rams to Blackadder's Christmas Carol, we explore how you can promote two of your designer superpowers: 

• Framing and encouraging bolder thinking,  
• Expert facilitation helping to create consensus and commitment to get great ideas into the real world.  

About Ian

Ian leads an Innovation Design team at NatWest Group as part of a wider department of approximately 70 people in Innovation & Partnerships. The department are responsible for catalysing the creation of brand new services, products and experiences for the wider Group, often leveraging start-ups and other technology partners to bring NatWest’s strategy to life.

He is an award-winning designer with over 15 years of experience across design, digital strategy and marketing and has worked with a wide range of organisations including Lloyds Bank, Amazon, Microsoft, CYBG, Standard Life, the NHS and Scottish Government among many others.

Sources cited in this podcast:

The Innovation Expedition:
The Jobs to be Done Playbook:
When Coffee and Kale Compete: 

Service Design YAP is developed and produced by the Service Design Network UK Chapter.
Its aim is to engage and connect the wider Service Design community.

• Episode Host: Stephen Wood
• Production Assistance: Jean Watanya