Really enjoyed reading the book, fully agree with Design being a core driver of business strategy!
One of the standout ideas for me was the TRACES framework in Chapter 3. It breaks down six areas where strategic threats can come from: Technical debt, Regulatory changes, Audience shifts, Competition, Economic trends, and Substitution technologies. It’s the kind of tool that makes you go, “Why didn’t I have this earlier?”. What I also loved is how the book connects design to business outcomes without getting lost in buzzwords.
There’s real substance here, from aligning with company strategy to making smarter tech adoption decisions. You don’t need to be a designer to get value out of this. If you're a product lead, strategist, founder, or anyone who’s felt that design deserves a seat at the strategy table, this book lays out the why and the how. Definitely recommend reading it!"
- Kevin Boezennec, Co-founder (Head of Sales), SC Ventures
The Art of Design Strategy eloquently bridges the gap between business and design. With wit and sharp insight, Wong offers practical frameworks for building a thriving design organisation—whatever your context. A thought-provoking read for user experience leaders of all stripes."
- Kate Towsey, strategic advisor, author of Research That Scales (Rosenfeld, 2024)
For designers who have paved most of their career in the craft of creating experiences but are now interested in understanding what "strategy" means, how to advocate for it, manage it and execute it effectively, this is a must-have resource. Garkay beautifully walks you through a journey of how and why strategy has evolved in design and some excellent new frameworks and perspectives for how to integrate it effectively into your toolkit."
- Phil Balagtas Design Leader, Strategic Consultant and Professor of Futures Thinking HABITAT, Elisava University
What resonates most in “The Art of Design Strategy” is Wong’s emphasis on collaboration—designers, marketers, and executives alike will find actionable insights here. The writing is clear and accessible, making complex concepts feel approachable for non-experts."
- Daniel Tan -Financial Services Veteran, Adjunct Lecturer
This book hits that rare sweet spot—clear, practical, and genuinely inspiring. I especially appreciated the chapter on building internal alignment; it nails the real-world challenges of doing strategic work inside complex organizations. Garkay has written something that designers, strategists, and team leaders will keep returning to."
- Kevin Denney Professor of Practice in Social Design Founding Director, Li Ka Shing Design Innovation Centre The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
