Cameron Moll went from 2004 to 2006 as a freelancer before accepting a position on a design team at the LDS church (read: DIRECT CORRELATION). As soon as I learned this I was completely attentive. I'd heard of him before, but this topic was unique to the conference and pertinent to my work at the Adventist church world headquarters.
- In-house designers do 3 things: work, publicity, relationships... 20%, 40%, 40% respectively
- There are few things that build trust better than results. Build relationships that can generate great results.
- Sometimes the best methods of communication are less efficient but more effective.
- Great designers are also great communicators. Great communications skills create the shortest distance between ideas and realization.
- Understanding when to show elements of a product and when to show the product in its entirety. Remove fidelity when it is not necessary for agreement, so that team players can focus on what counts.
- Establish weekly design reviews, in-house workshops, and other tools that develop team skill and experience
- Establish connections with internal departments, local colleges & university, and other relationships that can be mutually influential
- Establish a culture and environment that fosters creativity.
Just a few of many very useful points that would be useful for any communication department (Adventist entities don't have design departments, do they?).