1. Startup Culture: Informal, Fast-Paced, Risk-Taking
Less hierarchy, direct communication.
Fast decision-making, “fail fast” mentality.
Designers often involved in product strategy discussions early.
Requires high resilience and adaptability.
2. Corporate Culture: Structured, Process-Oriented, Risk-Averse
Defined roles, structured meetings, formal approvals.
Emphasis on documentation, compliance, and governance.
Design teams may be more specialized and siloed.
Leaders must foster spaces for innovation within constraints.
3. Remote/Distributed Culture: Intentional Communication and Autonomy
Documentation and asynchronous communication are critical.
Strong norms around collaboration tools and meeting cadences.
Leaders focus on trust, outcomes, and removing blockers remotely.
Culture-building through virtual social events, learning sessions, and inclusive rituals.