What does the career path aiming for Creative Director or Head of Design ultimately involve shaping within an organization?

Shaping *how* design gets done within an organization, rather than just *doing* the design work itself

The progression toward creative leadership roles, such as Creative Director or Head of Design, signifies a move away from hands-on execution toward strategic and organizational influence. These roles involve management of teams, oversight of product strategy, and defining the operational standards and processes for design execution within the company. Success in this transition relies heavily on soft skills like communication and team building, as the primary function shifts from producing the design artifact to structuring the environment in which all design work is conducted.