Leah Lang | Design Leadership: The Impact of Guiding Creativity

Design leadership goes far beyond creating visually appealing structures and spaces—it’s about seeing possibilities, utilising creativity and collaboration to deliver outcomes that have a lasting positive impact on society. As Queensland Government Architect, I’ve learned that effective leadership involves not just guiding creative teams but aligning vision with broader goals, all while navigating the complexities of policy and governance.

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that the most impactful designs come from uniting diverse voices, fostering collaboration, and continuously adapting to new challenges. Here are a few lessons I’ve gathered along the way about leading with creativity and purpose in the design world.

Embrace Large-Scale Challenges with Confidence

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work on large-scale projects like the 2032 Olympic Games, 2018 Commonwealth Games venues and the Home of the Arts (HOTA) Gallery. Tackling these types of challenges can seem daunting but are also extremely rewarding. For designers, embracing the unknown is crucial. These challenges push us to be bold, creative problem-solvers, turning vision into reality while balancing form, function, and beauty. Confidence and adaptability are key—don’t shy away from ambitious projects. They are where real growth happens.

Stay Involved in Policy and Governance

Design influence is about actively shaping the frameworks that guide our cities. Over the years, I’ve been deeply involved in policy and governance, working on advisory boards and reviewing significant infrastructure projects like the Gold Coast Light Rail. This level of involvement has allowed me to champion a clear and aspirational vision for better design standards and sustainable solutions. To leave a legacy as a designer, it’s essential to engage in policy discussions and governance processes. It’s here where you can ensure that design is seen as a strategic tool for adding immense value in shaping our cities and communities.

Bring Stakeholders Together

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that great design doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s built through collaboration and a deep understanding of people and place. Whether I’m working with clients, engineers, planners, or community members, fostering relationships and aligning different perspectives is critical. Each stakeholder brings a unique view to the table, and as designers, it’s our job to balance those inputs to create spaces and places that are not only functional but also meaningful. Successful collaboration requires strong communication and a shared vision. Bringing people together allows us to achieve innovative, cohesive results that benefit the entire community.

Successful collaboration requires strong communication and a shared vision.

Never Stop Learning

The field of architecture is constantly evolving, with new technologies and methodologies emerging all the time. To stay relevant, you have to keep learning. Throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to stay curious and keep pushing myself to grow, whether through hands-on projects, being a member on advisory boards, teaching at university or mentoring. Design leaders benefit from balancing creativity with a strong understanding of practicality, and this only comes through continuous learning. The more we invest in expanding our knowledge, the more equipped we are to create sustainable, impactful designs that stand the test of time. Keep an open mind, stay curious, and never stop evolving your craft.

The more we invest in expanding our knowledge, the more equipped we are to create sustainable, impactful designs that stand the test of time.

Leah Lang
QUT Degree – B of Built Environment (Architectural Studies) (2003)
Have a question for Leah? Connect with her on LinkedIn.