#1 Airbnb

In 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, two young BFA students, struggled to manage their rent in San Francisco. A design conference in the city sparked a solution: they transformed their loft into a makeshift "Air Bed and Breakfast," offering air mattresses to conference attendees for a modest $80 per night. This creative idea gave shape to Airbnb, a revolutionary platform that redefined short-term rentals worldwide.

#2 Pinterest

Evan Sharp, a designer with a techie spirit, recognised the creative possibilities at the intersection of design and digital innovation. Fuelled by his passion for building things and his love for technology, he built Pinterest, a platform designed to inspire, empower, and foster personal growth. Evan's background in design combined with his belief in user motivation led him to develop a visually stimulating platform that empowers users to discover and pursue their passions.

#3 Dyson

James Dyson, a designer and visionary at heart, revolutionised home cleaning by inventing the world's first bagless vacuum cleaner. In his relentless pursuit of perfection, he created 5,127 prototypes over five years before achieving success with the DC01 model. Dyson's unwavering commitment to solving complex problems highlights his dedication to pushing the boundaries of design and technology.

#4 YouTube

Art student Chad Hurley teamed up with Steve Chen and Jawed Karim to create a dating app that eventually went on to change the way we watch videos. When they realised how difficult it was to share cool clips, such as Janet Jackson's Super Bowl moment, they seized the opportunity. And launched YouTube in 2005. Chad Hurley not only created the original logo; he also shaped its success. His artistic skills played a critical role in YouTube’s sleek and user-friendly design. The platform’s intuitive experience made viewing and sharing videos a breeze.

#5 Landor

Born in Munich, Walter Landor initially pursued architecture like his father. Unsatisfied with the choice, he tried his hand at industrial design before he finally established himself as a prolific graphic designer. Once set on the right path, his remarkable career took off, and he co-founded England's first industrial design consultancy at the age of 22. Driven by a relentless ambition, he moved to the USA and launched his own design company - Walter Landor & Associates. From a modest beginning, the firm rapidly grew into a major world-class player in the field of design, contributing to the identities of iconic brands such as Coca-Cola, Levi's, Kellogg's, GE, 20th Century Fox, Singapore Airlines, 3M, and numerous others. Now known as Landor, it operates as a global brand consulting firm with more than 1,300 employees across 32 locations.

So, are there any specific qualities that help designers succeed as entrepreneurs? Indeed. Designers are uniquely suited to become great entrepreneurs because of their ability to combine creativity, problem-solving abilities, and user-centric thinking. Let us find out more about some of their personality attributes.

1. Innovative Problem Solving:

Designers possess a unique ability to spot challenges and innovate solutions, whether in crafting visually appealing products or creating intuitive user experiences. This problem-solving mindset, invaluable for entrepreneurs, helps them address unforeseen challenges, craft creative and efficient solutions, and adapt seamlessly to evolving landscapes.

2. User-Centric Focus:

Designers always put the end-user at the centre of every creation. Business-wise, this user-centric approach works incredibly well, allowing designer-led organisations to prioritise customer demands and tailor their offerings accordingly.

3. Visual Communication Skills:

With a flair for the language of visuals, designers excel at effective communication. As entrepreneurs, they leverage their visual communication prowess to convey messages that deeply resonate with their customers, forming authentic connections with their businesses.

4. Adaptability and Iteration:

Make it. Test it. Improve it. Designers appreciate the constant loop of refinement. As an entrepreneur, they wield this quality as a superpower to learn from challenges. They see them as opportunities to adapt and keep pushing forward. This embrace of change allows them to modify their business strategies, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve.

5. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration:

Diversity fuels creativity! Collaborating with a team of engineers, marketers, and other professionals trains designers to bridge communication gaps and fosters a culture of effective teamwork. This cross-disciplinary approach becomes a valuable asset for designer-turned-entrepreneurs. It allows them to not only enhance the overall functionality but also remain open to diverse perspectives that can lead to innovative solutions.