The document summarizes a session presentation by David Freas at SXSWi 2016 about design agencies struggling to adapt to changing market conditions. Freas will explore how increased in-house design teams at corporations, a growing supply of design talent, and evolving design processes are impacting agencies. He will provide actionable recommendations to help agencies adjust and thrive in this new environment. The biography notes that Freas has worked at major design firms frog and Smart Design, and is now Vice President at Speck Design where he leads business development and marketing.

1. © Copyright 2015 | Speck Design, Inc.1
Zombie Agencies
Design Firms are Walking Dead
David Freas, SXSWi 2016

2. 2
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Design has achieved top billing in the media and at
the executive table. Design capabilities have
catapulted Apple to become the most valuable
company in the world. With all this good news
about design, how is it that we're seeing design
agencies stumble? Adaptive Path sells out to a
bank. Smart Design shuttered its SF studio. Talent
flees stalwarts IDEO and frog design. Clearly the
landscape is changing fast. What gives?
This session explores the effects of trending
corporate-side design organizations, increased
supply of design talent, and the evolution of the
design process. Agencies must adjust to thrive in
this environment and this session will deliver
actionable recommendations.
San Francisco
2000 – 2014

3. 3
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
With an expertise in design and business, David has held positions at
heavyweight design agencies frog and Smart Design. While at frog David led
business development for the Americas, surviving the ride from being a
designer-owned organization, acquired by Flextronics, and finally being
owned by the world’s largest private equity firm, KKR. David was a member
of the ultimate class of Smart Design San Francisco which was shuttered in
the Fall of 2014.
Intent on building a next-generation, design and innovation firm David joined
Palo Alto-based Speck Design where he is a part of the executive team and
heads business development and marketing.
David is passionate about understanding people’s needs through design
research, identifying opportunities based on those insights, and empowering
designers and technologist to create meaningful solutions. He believes that
creating a brand begins and ends with the emotional connection made
between people and products (or services).
David earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on
customer insights and product strategy. He enjoys spending time with his
wife and four children, reading on his Kindle, and trail running.
David
Freas
Vice
President,
Speck
Design
@davidfreas

4. © Copyright 2015 | Speck Design, Inc.4
Please vote for this
session in the SXSW
panelpicker. Thanks!