Design Leadership: interview to Eric Quint & Tommaso Corà
In an exclusive talk, our students had the chance to meet Eric Quint, former SVP, Chief Brand and Design Officer of 3M Company, and Tommaso Corà, Head of Brand and Innovation at TIPIC. They discussed today’s challenges and the key principles of design leadership with us. Read more!
In a world that demands rapid adaptation and meaningful innovation, design leaders Eric Quint and Tommaso Corà delivered an inspiring talk at Domus Academy Milano, showcasing the transformative power of design leadership. The event, held in Domus Academy’s state-of-the-art new building, drew a crowd of students, professionals, and design enthusiasts eager to learn how creativity and strategy intersect to shape a sustainable future.
The conversation began with an exploration of the challenges faced by today’s organizations. Quint and Corà emphasised the urgency of embracing design as a tool for driving innovation in a rapidly changing society, where novelty is fleeting and markets are increasingly complex.
Quint, the former SVP and Chief Brand and Design Officer of 3M Company, shared insights from his groundbreaking tenure as one of the first Chief Design Officers. He highlighted the importance of aligning internal cultures with external realities, creating a unified vision that inspires stakeholders and drives meaningful change. Without scenarios about the future, there is no foundation for innovation. Design creates those tangible visions that unite people in imagining—and building—a better tomorrow.
Quint’s expertise is deeply rooted in his acclaimed book, “Design Leadership Ignited”, which he co-authored to illuminate the complexities and opportunities of scaling design in global enterprises. Referencing both his international design awards and practical leadership experience, Quint stressed that empathy is a crucial ingredient for design leaders to connect organizations with their broader societal context. Empathy is how we turn abstract concepts into actionable strategies. It’s the bridge that brings people together to collaborate on impactful solutions.
Tommaso Corà, Head of Brand and Innovation at TIPIC, brought a complementary perspective, blending his background in industrial design with business strategy. Corà shared actionable frameworks from his book “Futures by Design”, illustrating how companies can future-proof their operations by combining foresight and innovation. His approach focuses on generating prosperity and sustainability, principles that resonate deeply with the next generation of designers and strategists.
A Call to the Next Generation
For the students in attendance, the talk was a powerful reminder of the growing significance of design leadership in today’s professional landscape. Both speakers stressed that as society becomes more complex and interconnected, the ability to think strategically, innovate empathetically, and communicate visually are essential skills for the leaders of tomorrow.
Quint emphasised that design leadership is no longer confined to traditional design fields but has become a core driver of transformation across industries. Whether you are working in technology, healthcare, fashion, or beyond, the principles of design leadership—empathy, foresight, and the ability to visualise futures—are universally applicable.
Corà echoed this sentiment, encouraging students to see themselves as catalysts for change. The tools and methods they are learning today are the foundation for driving impact tomorrow.
The talk was punctuated by practical examples and thought-provoking dialogue, underscoring the pivotal role of design leadership in shaping sustainable futures. Attendees left with a clear understanding of how design can act as a bridge between complex challenges and impactful solutions, as well as a renewed sense of the responsibility creative professionals bear in driving global progress.
Domus Academy: A Hub for Future Design Leaders
Domus Academy continues to position itself as a hub for thought leadership and innovation, bringing luminaries like Quint and Corà to inspire the next wave of change-makers.