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FdK
Good
Design
is Good
Business
What is good design and
how can it increase the
profitability of your
business?
Simon de Kretser
FdK Design in Business Series No
1
2
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
‘Design’ is one of those words that is used everywhere in the business
world today. Designer brands, celebrity designers, Classic design,
Modern design, designer-this and designer-that, the word is used
everywhere, often to try to add an air of exclusivity and quality to a
product or service - but what does it really mean?
A bit like ‘innovative’, it is a word that we all know, but would probably
find it hard to apply a definition to. Here at FdK we believe that it is
a word that should be applied to a way of thinking that is coming to
increasing prominence in successful businesses, but that’s just our
interpretation!
With all of this confusion, it’s no wonder that when we come to talk
to businesses about how good design can be good for business, they
often either feel that they know what design is, and think it is either
unnecessary or too expensive for them, or that it is simply about logos,
brochures and websites.
This booklet attempts to demonstrate that design is not just about a
final gloss given to a product or service, but a way of thinking. It will
give you an insight into the deep impact that design can have on your
business, how to start the process of bringing design into the centre
of your thinking and strategy and how much of this can be achieved
without recourse to professional designers!
3
FdK
1. Where did it all start?	 5
2. What is ‘Good’ Design?	 9
3. Why is it important now?	 11
4. How is design today different?	 13
5. What makes design central to business strategy?	 15
6. Commoditisation pushes design to the fore	 17
7. It’s not just about new technology businesses	 19
8. How do I integrate design into my business?	 21
9. But what about the cost?	 25
10. It’s not all about business	 29
11. What have we learned about good design?	 31
Contents
4
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
‘Good design is good business’ is a phrase
attributed to Thomas Watson Junior,
CEO of IBM from 1952 to 1971, and
included in a speech he made to students
at Wharton Business School in 1973.
Now you might well ask “what is the relevance of the
views of a business leader from the last century”?.
Well, Thomas Watson turned IBM from a company
manufacturing cash registers into ‘Big Blue’, a world-
leader and the face of the new computer age, growing
the business ten-fold in the process, so he has earned his
position as a business oracle.
Whilst the advances in computer technology
and engineering were certainly at the core of the
transformation of IBM, it was Watson’s belief in
the importance of design that set it apart from
competitors and produced the dramatic transformation
of the company.
Legend has it that Watson had a form of epiphany in
1956. Walking down Madison Avenue, he saw a display
of typewriters in an Olivetti showroom. The contrast
between the bright, colourful and modern look of Olivetti
and the drab, dimly-lit offices of IBM inspired him to
believe that as CEO he could ‘put my stamp on IBM
through modern design’
His first step was to employ Eliot Noyes, as IBM’s
‘Design Consultant’. The architect and former curator
of industrial design at MoMA set about creating a
design programme that encompassed every aspect of
IBM’s business including products, buildings, branding
and marketing materials. Much more than merely
maintaining a consistent look and feel, this was about
creating a ‘culture of design’ As Noyes put it: “In a sense
a corporation should be like a good painting; everything
visible should contribute to the current total statement;
nothing should detract”
Thomas J Watson - ‘Good Design is Good Business’
Where did it all start?
5
FdK
The Olivetti Lettera 22 typewriter
- an epiphany for Thomas Watson?
The IBM Selectric Golf Ball typewriter - can you see the
influence of the Olivetti?
The IBM logo designed by Paul Rand (top) in the 1950s -
still in use today, and strong enough to withstand some
playful variations!
6
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
Where did it all start?
To implement this ideal, Noyes employed some of
the most renowned artists and designers of the day,
including Charles and Ray Eames, Mies van der Rohe,
Eero Saarenin and Paul Rand. Noyes acted as ‘the curator
of corporate character’ employing and directing great
creative talent to develop and widen the ‘corporate
character’ of IBM, often asking them to work outside of
their usual area of expertise. Some of the design work
produced during that early period is still held
up as classic, and in fact some, like the IBM logo
are still in use today.
This belief in the central importance of design in
business advanced by Watson and Noyes, has influenced
many successful businesses and organisations since it
was first seen at IBM. Design is now regarded as vital to
organisations as they increasingly try to establish and
promote their brands and their values. From Apple’s
holistic approach to product design and customer
experience, to Nike’s clothes, shoes and stores, leading
companies are employing the principles of ‘design
thinking’ - including observing how people interact
with products and services, rapid prototyping and
collaboration between multidisciplinary teams to create
everything from consumer services to products, and
business services.
I am sure that I can hear you say ‘Of course, this is all
well and good for major corporations with big budgets,
but ‘design thinking’ is a luxury that small businesses and
start-ups cannot afford’
Well, the purpose of this booklet is to show that
design thinking and good design should be at the
heart of every business regardless of size and sector,
and more importantly that it need not be a massively
expensive thing to integrate. This has never been
more so than now, when businesses are facing the
challenges of slow or negative growth, and could use
design to meet those challenges.
Eliot Noyes - the original Design Consultant?
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FdK
The IBM Thomas J Watson Research Centre, designed by Eero Saarinen - designed to project modernity and
technological excellence - As Noyes put it: “In a sense a corporation should be like a good painting; everything visible
should contribute to the current total statement; nothing should detract”
8
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
What is ‘Good’ Design?
First of all, let’s dispel a few
misconceptions about design. Design
is not simply the gloss or finish applied
to an item or service at the very end of it’s
development process.
Whilst in the 1950s, design was pretty much marketing
by another name, the symbiosis of design and business
that Watson and Noyse envisaged has become central
to successful business today. Design and design thinking
has become inextricably linked with innovation and is
central to the goal of creating a decisive advantage for
any product or service, across all market sectors. It is also
proving to be the differentiator in the efforts to resist
the effects of creeping commoditisation that is affecting
virtually every business.
It is also important to note that in the rise of this
perception of the importance of design in the success
of a product or service, the word itself has become
a ‘feature’ added to the descriptions of many things.
‘Designer’ anything is seen to have a special quality,
however, simply calling something ‘designed’ does not
necessarily mean that it has been well designed!
Good design is not that gloss or fluff added to something
to hide failings, in fact, good design is largely invisible, it
does not shout, but is just present in every interaction
between a company, its customers, suppliers, staff and
investors, and we see it in successful businesses every
day from Starbucks to Amazon to Virgin.
In conclusion, good design is the result of a process
that involves the study of every point of contact
between a company, its products or services, its
customers and it’s staff, then using that study to
innovate and meet challenges and unmet needs to
create real commercial advantage.
The Amazon website - hardly something that screams
‘design’, but an efficient, simple, confidence-inspiring
shopping experience that is starting to dominate online
retailing
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FdK
Starbucks - love it or hate
it, they have undeniably
elevated the drinking of
coffee to an ‘experience’
through the design of their
premises, service
and branding
Virgin - whether it is crossing the Atlantic, riding a mainline train, home broadband or a high street bank, customers
receive a sense of the ‘Richard Branson-ness’ that is at the core of the design of all Virgin service offerings
10
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
Why is it important now?
Whilst good design has been a central part
of the business strategy of successful,
large corporations for many years, it
is increasingly coming to the fore for
businesses of all sizes and in all sectors.
But this is not design in just the traditional areas of
branding, packaging, websites etc, but design as a
process, used with the aim of creating simpler, more
meaningful and rewarding experiences for all people
interacting with a company, its products and services.
This new ‘era of design’ has been led by companies
such as Nike, First Direct, Ikea and of course, Apple,
the epitome of a design-led business model. Apple’s
capitalisation is larger than many countries and their
revenue is double that of Microsoft - a company in the
same technology field, but one that until recently has not
been perceived as an organisation led by design.
The growth of Apple is mirrored by many other, newer
organisations such as Amazon, Google, Pinterest and
AirBnB - successful companies that all give a high priority
to design in their search for competitive advantage.
Governments are also now recognising the importance
of design in creating a vibrant and growing economy,
and providing support and advice on the subject to all
businesses.
The rapid increase in the number of ways that individuals
can interact with a company and its products or services
has led to a much greater awareness of design. Even if
they may not realise that they are discerning a difference
in design, people will increasingly dismiss a website that
is difficult to navigate and use, get annoyed at signage
that is misleading or unclear, get frustrated with products
that do not perform as expected straight out of the box,
or reject a service with complex and unclear application
forms. As an Apple disciple, I would obviously suggest
that their products, customer experience and service
at all points of contact have led this rise in expectation,
but it could just as easily have been Ikea, or First Direct.
Whatever the cause, consumers are now very much more
aware of what constitutes a well designed experience.
In conclusion, one of the key reasons for the rise in
the importance of design to business today is the fact
that design allows you to increase consumer desire
for, and loyalty to your product or service and demand
higher prices as a consequence. In an interview with
FastCo, Pat Schiavone, VP of design at domestic
appliance manufacturer Whirlpool, said ‘we are
changing from being a manufacturing-based company
to being a product company, it’s not just about cost-
cutting’ adding ‘Why change? - Because good design is
very profitable’.
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FdK
Apple - the perfect design
for the combination of
product and customer
experience?
Air BnB - maybe new, but is revolutionising
the design of how we buy our travel
Ikea - democratising design?
12
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
How is design today different?
This central role of design should not
surprise anyone who has bought an Apple
product and consequently paid a premium
for a device with many technically equal or
better competitors, but without the same
attention to design. The Apple example is
also quite instructive in the way in which
design has moved from being about
products, to being about ‘product systems’
where every point of contact between the
company and its products or services with
the wider world is subject to the same
design process scrutiny.
Whether you purchase an Apple product online or at a
store, the experience is designed to be simple, clear and
swift. When the product is opened, the packaging is a
piece of design in itself, with a smooth ‘whistling’ fit and
minimal but effective packing, that creates something
you want to keep as much as the product itself. Turn
the product on, and the way to operate it is intuitive
and again simple, without any complex set-up or special
softwares to load. Then the day to day use of the item is
made as convenient as possible - purchasing music, video
and apps is straightforward and all purchases along with
email and calendars are synchronised between devices.
If there should be a problem, there is knowledgeable and
accessible help available both online and in-store.
I don’t wish to overly promote a particular company, the
point here is that Apple have set out a blueprint for the
‘product system’ that is being followed by businesses in
many different areas. For example, GE, a manufacturer
of major engineering products from jet engines to
MRI scanners is expanding its use of design to link its
products into the ecosystems that surround them,
focusing on ease of use, visual aesthetics and producing
items such as apps to make control simpler. Greg Petroff,
general manager of user experience at GE (the job title
itself gives a clue to the importance of design to this
corporation) told FastCo “If we don’t do it, someone
else will, and GE could be relegated to not having top
relationship with the customer. Our hypothesis is that we
can build a better solution”.
In conclusion, good design is about taking a much
wider view than simply the product or service that
we sell. Building a wider ‘ecosystem’ around our core
offering will expand our opportunities for revenue and
defend ourselves against competition.
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The Apple ‘Genius’ Bar,
iTunes, iCloud and online
support - all parts of their
customer ecosystem
GE MRI Scanners - design used to project the technical and caring image of the company
and iPad Apps easing operation and extending the ecosystem around their MRI scanners
help to keep GE at the centre of the buying process
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GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
Designers are ideally suited to the
development of these business
‘ecosystems’ as they are trained to
consider the human interface in all of the
work they do and to see how a product
or service can become something more
than an isolated item. If done correctly,
good design leads to a working ecosystem
in a business that creates the platform
necessary for innovation and creative
thinking from not just designers, but all
those involved with an organisation.
Examples of this working ecosystem include not
just Apple, whose product range has expanded from
computers to iPods, iTunes, iPhones, iPhoto, iPads, all
linked via iCloud, but also Nike, who are developing their
‘Fuelband’ concept that links together their sporting
products to mobile apps and computers to create a
‘fitness and healthy lifestyle’ ecosystem that is entirely
within the Nike brand. Perhaps it’s no surprise that
the leading figures in both of these organisations
have design backgrounds - Jonathan Ive at Apple,
and Nike CEO Mark Parker.
In conclusion, through their training and experience
in the understanding of the human interface with
products or services, good designers are the ideal
professionals to envisage and create an improved
customer experience with your brand.
What makes design central to business strategy?
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FdK
The Nike Fuelband - aesthetically appealing and desirable,
key to the object of getting customers to purchase and
use the device
Fuelband users are able to track and share their efforts
adding a social aspect to the Nke+ ecosystem
The Nike+ sensor fits into a space in their shoes, tying
their core product tightly into this new ecosystem
The Nike+Fuelband App adds mobile convenience - fitting
in with the way customers want to access and use their
data
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GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
Commoditisation pushes design to the fore
Another factor influencing the rise in the
importance of design in business is where
we are in the innovation cycle. Following a
period of considerable technical innovation
that has included the development and
rise of the internet, and the rise of mobile
computing, we are now in a period of
increasing commoditisation with a
focus on packaging the technology for
consumption and focusing on the
human interface with it.
As the technology that drives this change becomes
increasingly cheap and available, it has opened the door
to opportunity for companies to exploit it - especially
start-up companies. Even a short time ago a business
start-up that was built on new technology, would
be faced with the considerable time and expense of
developing its own infrastructure from scratch, making
the engineering of their product or service offering the
most important element of getting it off the ground.
Now, through the use of proprietary platforms, software
and development kits, it is possible to quickly and simply
develop and prototype a new idea, sell it through online
marketplaces such as Amazon, Ebay and the App Stores,
and advertise at a minimal cost through Social Media and
Google Adwords. Thus it is possible for a start-up like
Bump, an App that allows users to transfer information
between mobile devices simply by ‘bumping’ them
together, to build a product and acquire a million users
after only spending $1000!
In conclusion, our current position in the innovation
cycle means that the design of the consumer
interface and wider customer experience has
become the determining factor in product or service
differentiation and has created an atmosphere of
opportunity for business start-ups in all fields.
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FdK
Bump - a simple App,
focusing on building
customer experience and
taking advantage of the
commoditisation period of
the innovation cycle that
we are now in to get to
market quickly, successfully
and at modest cost
Selling through the App stores removes all of the costs
and hassles of the conventional routes to market
Promoting through the web and social media allows
Bump to build customer awareness and create a buzz
about their product on a small budget
18
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
It’s not just about new technology businesses
It might seem that this design-driven
change in business is only for new, high
technology industries, but the principles
apply to every business, regardless of size
or sector. Once the development cycle of
any industry moves out of the technical
innovation stage, and the basic platforms
and tools are universally available, the sales
playing field starts to become more level.
For example once your manufacturing excellence is
matched or bettered by factories on the other side of
the world, or your distribution channels are bettered
by cheaper and more efficient internet operations, or
your service is seen as something that can be acquired
through templated, online services, the advantages of
size, time in the marketplace and established products
or services become irrelevant. How are you now going to
maintain and build your customer base without making
some fundamental improvements in design that enables
you to prove the benefits of using you to every one of
your customers at every point of contact with you?
Perhaps more importantly, how can you change your
offering so that it fits with customer needs rather than
expecting customers to change to fit your offering?
First Direct is a great example of how design is being
used to grow a business that recognised years ago that
the days of the bank with a massive High Street presence,
available to customers only during working hours, was
out of step with the way that people wanted to manage
their money. Through close attention to the design of
its customer service at every single touchpoint, it has
become the most recommended financial brand in the
UK, with over 82% of customers happy to recommend it
to friends. One of the most important points here is that
this is not simply about the conventional interpretation
of design as the ‘gloss’ added at the end, in fact the First
Direct style is very much ‘un-designed’ in that sense,
with a simple, no-nonsense black and white style. The
real design difference is in the service itself, whether
customers are interacting with the bank through the
internet or the phone, the service is available at any time,
secure, friendly and efficient. I would argue that these
are the values that customers seek far above flashy
branches or websites, and in that respect of course, the
no-nonsense branding of First Direct is entirely in line
with the experience that it gives its customers.
In conclusion the principles of good design and
the design process that are being readily used
by companies in the hi-tech industries are just as
relevant to the rest of the business world, regardless
of their size, experience, product or service.
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FdK
First Direct - focussing design thinking on their Customer
Experience, not just a glossy branding
20
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
How do I integrate design into my business?
The recognition of the importance
of design in the business process has
brought the designer to the fore in many
companies, and there are many designer-
led start-ups that are proving to be very
successful such as Pinterest or Jawbone
which are focussed on the development
of the front end of a product as well as the
underlying engineering.
So, hopefully we can now see how good design can
mean good business, and how it is at the forefront of
business start-ups, but the big question is, how can this
be integrated into your existing business?
The good news is that it can be very simple - it’s about
building a ‘culture of design’ in your company. Whether
a one man band or a major corporate, the essence is
to allow design and design thinking to flourish. In many,
particularly larger organisations, design thinking is often
stifled by complex processes of corporate approval that
leads to design that is effectively the lowest common
denominator - becoming something that is approved by
all but loved by none.
This barrier to effective use of design has existed for
many years, and is only really now starting to be broken
down. Dieter Rams, the famous product designer at
Bruan between the 1950s and 70s believes that the
classic designs he created were only possible because
he reported directly to the Chairman. This relationship
has very strong echoes in the one that existed between
Jonathan Ive and Steve Jobs at Apple, again resulting in
what many perceive as classic designs.
Dieter Rams - for good design to flourish, it must be
supported by all areas of a business from the top down Continued >
21
FdK
Dieter Ram’s product designs for Braun between the 1950s and 70s - still regarded by many
as classics, and influencers of many of today’s designers including Jonathan Ive at Apple
22
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
Where good design is stifled or not held in very great
importance companies themselves become stifled -
take for example Microsoft, once the world-dominating
platform for personal and business computers that
in the 2000s seemed to produce products that were
not designed for the customer’s convenience, but for
Microsoft’s which has led to a considerable decline in its
market position and allowed competitors into the market
that it once controlled almost completely.
Only with the release of Windows 8 and the Surface
tablet does Microsoft seem to have moved to a design-
driven culture, taking lessons from Apple and others in
the importance of integrating software and hardware to
produce a winning customer experience.
Many organisations may recognise the importance of
design, but not have this deep, internal culture, and
simply look to an external design agency to provide this
for them. Now, there are some very large multinational
design agencies out there with massive resources to
meet the design needs of even the biggest corporation,
and they can undoubtedly produce some great design
work. However, in our experience, this externalising of
the development of a design culture can fail once it is
introduced into the wider organisation.
Good staff at every level of a business take a pride in the
work they do and often develop their own personal ways
of providing that vital customer experience, but if there is
no ingrained understanding of the importance of design,
then they can often see a new ‘design initiative’ imposed
from outside as an intrusion in their own way of working,
and at best will resent it, at worst they will ignore it.
So the conclusion to draw here is that design needs to
be within a company’s DNA - if it is parachuted in from
an external source or stifled from within, it will never
lead to the long-term business benefits that it should
provide.
How do I integrate design into my business?
Pinterest - focused on the design of the customer
experience as much as it is on the technology
23
FdK
Microsft Windows - a world-dominating operating system, but had it been designed for
the benefit of its programmers rather than its customers?
With the release of Windows 8, a clear change in design thinking at Microsoft is visible
24
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
But what about the cost?
Cost. This is usually the final hurdle at
which the best design intentions fall.
Designers are precious, bow-tie wearing
mavericks aren’t they? Expensive,
egocentric and difficult to control.
Perhaps I over-characterize the generic view of designer-
types, but I believe that there is a kernel of truth in it.
Integrating design and design-thinking into your business,
whatever its size, is a process that may well at some
point require the services of a professional designer.
However, the real work starts in-house with the building
of the ‘design culture’ that we have seen exists at many of
today’s successful companies.
This is nothing about being able to draw, or having an eye
for colour, this is about understanding the basic principles
of design thinking and applying them to every aspect of
your business. This might include things such as how you
answer the phone to your customers, how your reception
or retail premises look, how your forms and paperwork
are laid out and building a company-wide understanding
of the importance of the customer experience and the
role of design in creating constant innovation.
A good recent example of this is HMV, who having called
in the administrators, kept their stores open in the hope
that they could maintain their customer loyalty and
thereby help attract a suitable buyer and save the chain.
However, despite being open, the stores refused to
accept gift cards which had been sold right up to the eve
of administration. This was a huge failure in the design
of their customer experience, no matter how great the
stores looked or how friendly the staff, every single one
of those existing loyal customers who had gift cards,
will be unlikely to ever use HMV again should it have
been saved, and they will also act as (justifiably) negative
ambassadors for the brand when talking to others.
So start in-house, undertake a simple audit of design
within your company, look at areas of strength and
weakness, consider what things you can do yourselves
and which things you will need external help for.
For those items where you need the services of a
professional designer, make sure that you are clear about
the objectives that you have for any design work, write
a full and detailed brief that gives details of you, your
products and services, profiles existing customers and
any new ones that you are wanting to reach, and contains
examples of current materials and design initiatives
that you may have along with any brand standards or
guidelines that need to be followed.
Continued >
25
FdK
Good design has an impact at every point of contact between a company, its customers, owners and staff far beyond
simple branding - you can’t see a logo, but do you recognize this brand and it’s values?
26
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
Good designers work best when they have a clear
understanding of what their design needs to achieve and
what constraints or parameters they need to work within.
More importantly, design produced from comprehensive
briefing and co-operation is far more effective, quicker to
produce and consequently better value.
With any design initiative, whether internally or externally
run, one of the most important aspects of it is to
properly measure the cost benefit that its introduction
will bring. This will sometimes be easy to measure
by making a baseline assessment of turnover and
profitability before starting and re-measuring them at
intervals after the implementation. Some of the effects
of the introduction of good design will be less easy to
measure in direct cash terms; including brand equity,
customer awareness and satisfaction levels, and some
may bring benefits in the long rather than the short term,
such as customer confidence and loyalty. The important
thing is to put into place as many systems as possible
to gather data and assess the affects of design changes
being introduced.
All of these benefits, whether evident in the short,
medium or long term and whether directly measurable
in cash terms or not, are all significant to the success of
your business.
In summary, the integration of good design and
design-thinking into your business need not be an
expensive process, it is about understanding where
and how design can make a difference and in many
cases any changes or development can be simply
achieved in-house. There are always going to be
occasions when external design skill are necessary,
but proper control of the commissioning and control
of those services can keep costs down and improve
the return on investment.
But what about the cost?
27
FdK
Good Design…
Adds
FOSTERdeKRETSER –Better Business. By Design.
to Your Business
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Friday, 15 February 13
Good Design…
Gets
Through
FOSTERdeKRETSER –Better Business. By Design.
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to your
customers
Friday, 15 February 13
Good Design…
Gives you an
EDGE
FOSTERdeKRETSER –Better Business. By Design.
over your Competitors
Friday, 15 February 13
Good Design…
FOSTERdeKRETSER –Better Business. By Design.
Helps to build a strong
T E Spirit
Friday, 15 February 13
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GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
It’s not all about business
Right at the beginning of this booklet,
I suggested that originally ‘Design’ was
really just another word for ‘Marketing’, or
just the gloss that was applied at the end
of a product or service development cycle.
I hope that the brief insights I have given
here demonstrate that in truth design is,
or has become much more than that - it is
a way of thinking that comes naturally to
trained designers, but which can be used
by anyone involved in business to keep
themselves successful.
However this kind of thinking process is not all about
creating so-called ‘Designer Brands’, it can make a
difference to people in all areas of the world. In his recent
book ‘Popular Lies about Graphic Design’ Craig Ward
says “There’s a real dignity in being the designer that
makes a utility bill easier to understand for an elderly
person. Or helping someone find their way through a
crowded city centre or airport. This is the kind of design
people interact with - and truly need - but don’t really pay
attention to or perhaps acknowledge as design.”
This is where design can make a REAL difference to
lives, and it is increasingly being applied to work being
done in the developing world. Whether it is using stored
solar energy to provide light, creating fuel-efficient
cooking devices, or improving sanitation and the build
environment, design and designers are making a real
difference, not simply for commercial return, but because
it is genuinely helping others less fortunate
than ourselves.
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FdK
Design making a difference - solar cookers for use in
Africa - simple, fuel-efficient and low-cost
Clear and concise signage that is clear to all, regardless of
their language - good design that just works
Creating forms that are simple to read, understand and
complete - design that is not about trends or fashion, but
making life easier
Solar energy also being used in the design of lights that
allow children in developing countries to study after
sunset - design improving the life opportunities for those
who need it most!
30
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
So, what have we learned about good design?
• Good design and design-thinking should be
at the core of every business
• Good design is about a deep understanding,
not simply the application of a surface gloss
• Good design increases customer desire,
loyalty and willingness to pay more
• Good design builds ‘ecosystems’ around
our core products or services
• Good designers have the skills and experience
to develop and improve customer experience
31
FdK
• Good design has become increasingly important
as we move out of the technical stage of the innovation cycle
• Good design is not simply something for
hi-tech businesses, but vital to all
• Good design and design thinking need not be expensive,
and return on investment can and should be measured
• Good design can and should be a force for change
in areas outside of pure commercial advantage
Good design is good business!
1
GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS
DESIGN CONSULTANTS
FOSTERdeKRETSER
FosterdeKretser Design Consultants
3000 Cathedral Hill, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YB
Telephone: 01483 243565 www.fdk.co.uk Email: info@fdk.co.uk
Text: copyright FdK
This booklet is intended to be a neutral comment on design in business in general.
and no design work illustrated has been produced by FdK
Where possible, copyright approval has been sought for the images used within this publication
if you own the copyright to any of the included images and have not been contacted by us,
please email info@fdk.co.uk, and we will be glad to remove or it or discuss licensing.

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Design...good design_is_good_business

  • 1. 2 FdK Good Design is Good Business What is good design and how can it increase the profitability of your business? Simon de Kretser FdK Design in Business Series No 1
  • 2. 2 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS ‘Design’ is one of those words that is used everywhere in the business world today. Designer brands, celebrity designers, Classic design, Modern design, designer-this and designer-that, the word is used everywhere, often to try to add an air of exclusivity and quality to a product or service - but what does it really mean? A bit like ‘innovative’, it is a word that we all know, but would probably find it hard to apply a definition to. Here at FdK we believe that it is a word that should be applied to a way of thinking that is coming to increasing prominence in successful businesses, but that’s just our interpretation! With all of this confusion, it’s no wonder that when we come to talk to businesses about how good design can be good for business, they often either feel that they know what design is, and think it is either unnecessary or too expensive for them, or that it is simply about logos, brochures and websites. This booklet attempts to demonstrate that design is not just about a final gloss given to a product or service, but a way of thinking. It will give you an insight into the deep impact that design can have on your business, how to start the process of bringing design into the centre of your thinking and strategy and how much of this can be achieved without recourse to professional designers!
  • 3. 3 FdK 1. Where did it all start? 5 2. What is ‘Good’ Design? 9 3. Why is it important now? 11 4. How is design today different? 13 5. What makes design central to business strategy? 15 6. Commoditisation pushes design to the fore 17 7. It’s not just about new technology businesses 19 8. How do I integrate design into my business? 21 9. But what about the cost? 25 10. It’s not all about business 29 11. What have we learned about good design? 31 Contents
  • 4. 4 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS ‘Good design is good business’ is a phrase attributed to Thomas Watson Junior, CEO of IBM from 1952 to 1971, and included in a speech he made to students at Wharton Business School in 1973. Now you might well ask “what is the relevance of the views of a business leader from the last century”?. Well, Thomas Watson turned IBM from a company manufacturing cash registers into ‘Big Blue’, a world- leader and the face of the new computer age, growing the business ten-fold in the process, so he has earned his position as a business oracle. Whilst the advances in computer technology and engineering were certainly at the core of the transformation of IBM, it was Watson’s belief in the importance of design that set it apart from competitors and produced the dramatic transformation of the company. Legend has it that Watson had a form of epiphany in 1956. Walking down Madison Avenue, he saw a display of typewriters in an Olivetti showroom. The contrast between the bright, colourful and modern look of Olivetti and the drab, dimly-lit offices of IBM inspired him to believe that as CEO he could ‘put my stamp on IBM through modern design’ His first step was to employ Eliot Noyes, as IBM’s ‘Design Consultant’. The architect and former curator of industrial design at MoMA set about creating a design programme that encompassed every aspect of IBM’s business including products, buildings, branding and marketing materials. Much more than merely maintaining a consistent look and feel, this was about creating a ‘culture of design’ As Noyes put it: “In a sense a corporation should be like a good painting; everything visible should contribute to the current total statement; nothing should detract” Thomas J Watson - ‘Good Design is Good Business’ Where did it all start?
  • 5. 5 FdK The Olivetti Lettera 22 typewriter - an epiphany for Thomas Watson? The IBM Selectric Golf Ball typewriter - can you see the influence of the Olivetti? The IBM logo designed by Paul Rand (top) in the 1950s - still in use today, and strong enough to withstand some playful variations!
  • 6. 6 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS Where did it all start? To implement this ideal, Noyes employed some of the most renowned artists and designers of the day, including Charles and Ray Eames, Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarenin and Paul Rand. Noyes acted as ‘the curator of corporate character’ employing and directing great creative talent to develop and widen the ‘corporate character’ of IBM, often asking them to work outside of their usual area of expertise. Some of the design work produced during that early period is still held up as classic, and in fact some, like the IBM logo are still in use today. This belief in the central importance of design in business advanced by Watson and Noyes, has influenced many successful businesses and organisations since it was first seen at IBM. Design is now regarded as vital to organisations as they increasingly try to establish and promote their brands and their values. From Apple’s holistic approach to product design and customer experience, to Nike’s clothes, shoes and stores, leading companies are employing the principles of ‘design thinking’ - including observing how people interact with products and services, rapid prototyping and collaboration between multidisciplinary teams to create everything from consumer services to products, and business services. I am sure that I can hear you say ‘Of course, this is all well and good for major corporations with big budgets, but ‘design thinking’ is a luxury that small businesses and start-ups cannot afford’ Well, the purpose of this booklet is to show that design thinking and good design should be at the heart of every business regardless of size and sector, and more importantly that it need not be a massively expensive thing to integrate. This has never been more so than now, when businesses are facing the challenges of slow or negative growth, and could use design to meet those challenges. Eliot Noyes - the original Design Consultant?
  • 7. 7 FdK The IBM Thomas J Watson Research Centre, designed by Eero Saarinen - designed to project modernity and technological excellence - As Noyes put it: “In a sense a corporation should be like a good painting; everything visible should contribute to the current total statement; nothing should detract”
  • 8. 8 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS What is ‘Good’ Design? First of all, let’s dispel a few misconceptions about design. Design is not simply the gloss or finish applied to an item or service at the very end of it’s development process. Whilst in the 1950s, design was pretty much marketing by another name, the symbiosis of design and business that Watson and Noyse envisaged has become central to successful business today. Design and design thinking has become inextricably linked with innovation and is central to the goal of creating a decisive advantage for any product or service, across all market sectors. It is also proving to be the differentiator in the efforts to resist the effects of creeping commoditisation that is affecting virtually every business. It is also important to note that in the rise of this perception of the importance of design in the success of a product or service, the word itself has become a ‘feature’ added to the descriptions of many things. ‘Designer’ anything is seen to have a special quality, however, simply calling something ‘designed’ does not necessarily mean that it has been well designed! Good design is not that gloss or fluff added to something to hide failings, in fact, good design is largely invisible, it does not shout, but is just present in every interaction between a company, its customers, suppliers, staff and investors, and we see it in successful businesses every day from Starbucks to Amazon to Virgin. In conclusion, good design is the result of a process that involves the study of every point of contact between a company, its products or services, its customers and it’s staff, then using that study to innovate and meet challenges and unmet needs to create real commercial advantage. The Amazon website - hardly something that screams ‘design’, but an efficient, simple, confidence-inspiring shopping experience that is starting to dominate online retailing
  • 9. 9 FdK Starbucks - love it or hate it, they have undeniably elevated the drinking of coffee to an ‘experience’ through the design of their premises, service and branding Virgin - whether it is crossing the Atlantic, riding a mainline train, home broadband or a high street bank, customers receive a sense of the ‘Richard Branson-ness’ that is at the core of the design of all Virgin service offerings
  • 10. 10 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS Why is it important now? Whilst good design has been a central part of the business strategy of successful, large corporations for many years, it is increasingly coming to the fore for businesses of all sizes and in all sectors. But this is not design in just the traditional areas of branding, packaging, websites etc, but design as a process, used with the aim of creating simpler, more meaningful and rewarding experiences for all people interacting with a company, its products and services. This new ‘era of design’ has been led by companies such as Nike, First Direct, Ikea and of course, Apple, the epitome of a design-led business model. Apple’s capitalisation is larger than many countries and their revenue is double that of Microsoft - a company in the same technology field, but one that until recently has not been perceived as an organisation led by design. The growth of Apple is mirrored by many other, newer organisations such as Amazon, Google, Pinterest and AirBnB - successful companies that all give a high priority to design in their search for competitive advantage. Governments are also now recognising the importance of design in creating a vibrant and growing economy, and providing support and advice on the subject to all businesses. The rapid increase in the number of ways that individuals can interact with a company and its products or services has led to a much greater awareness of design. Even if they may not realise that they are discerning a difference in design, people will increasingly dismiss a website that is difficult to navigate and use, get annoyed at signage that is misleading or unclear, get frustrated with products that do not perform as expected straight out of the box, or reject a service with complex and unclear application forms. As an Apple disciple, I would obviously suggest that their products, customer experience and service at all points of contact have led this rise in expectation, but it could just as easily have been Ikea, or First Direct. Whatever the cause, consumers are now very much more aware of what constitutes a well designed experience. In conclusion, one of the key reasons for the rise in the importance of design to business today is the fact that design allows you to increase consumer desire for, and loyalty to your product or service and demand higher prices as a consequence. In an interview with FastCo, Pat Schiavone, VP of design at domestic appliance manufacturer Whirlpool, said ‘we are changing from being a manufacturing-based company to being a product company, it’s not just about cost- cutting’ adding ‘Why change? - Because good design is very profitable’.
  • 11. 11 FdK Apple - the perfect design for the combination of product and customer experience? Air BnB - maybe new, but is revolutionising the design of how we buy our travel Ikea - democratising design?
  • 12. 12 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS How is design today different? This central role of design should not surprise anyone who has bought an Apple product and consequently paid a premium for a device with many technically equal or better competitors, but without the same attention to design. The Apple example is also quite instructive in the way in which design has moved from being about products, to being about ‘product systems’ where every point of contact between the company and its products or services with the wider world is subject to the same design process scrutiny. Whether you purchase an Apple product online or at a store, the experience is designed to be simple, clear and swift. When the product is opened, the packaging is a piece of design in itself, with a smooth ‘whistling’ fit and minimal but effective packing, that creates something you want to keep as much as the product itself. Turn the product on, and the way to operate it is intuitive and again simple, without any complex set-up or special softwares to load. Then the day to day use of the item is made as convenient as possible - purchasing music, video and apps is straightforward and all purchases along with email and calendars are synchronised between devices. If there should be a problem, there is knowledgeable and accessible help available both online and in-store. I don’t wish to overly promote a particular company, the point here is that Apple have set out a blueprint for the ‘product system’ that is being followed by businesses in many different areas. For example, GE, a manufacturer of major engineering products from jet engines to MRI scanners is expanding its use of design to link its products into the ecosystems that surround them, focusing on ease of use, visual aesthetics and producing items such as apps to make control simpler. Greg Petroff, general manager of user experience at GE (the job title itself gives a clue to the importance of design to this corporation) told FastCo “If we don’t do it, someone else will, and GE could be relegated to not having top relationship with the customer. Our hypothesis is that we can build a better solution”. In conclusion, good design is about taking a much wider view than simply the product or service that we sell. Building a wider ‘ecosystem’ around our core offering will expand our opportunities for revenue and defend ourselves against competition.
  • 13. 13 FdK The Apple ‘Genius’ Bar, iTunes, iCloud and online support - all parts of their customer ecosystem GE MRI Scanners - design used to project the technical and caring image of the company and iPad Apps easing operation and extending the ecosystem around their MRI scanners help to keep GE at the centre of the buying process
  • 14. 14 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS Designers are ideally suited to the development of these business ‘ecosystems’ as they are trained to consider the human interface in all of the work they do and to see how a product or service can become something more than an isolated item. If done correctly, good design leads to a working ecosystem in a business that creates the platform necessary for innovation and creative thinking from not just designers, but all those involved with an organisation. Examples of this working ecosystem include not just Apple, whose product range has expanded from computers to iPods, iTunes, iPhones, iPhoto, iPads, all linked via iCloud, but also Nike, who are developing their ‘Fuelband’ concept that links together their sporting products to mobile apps and computers to create a ‘fitness and healthy lifestyle’ ecosystem that is entirely within the Nike brand. Perhaps it’s no surprise that the leading figures in both of these organisations have design backgrounds - Jonathan Ive at Apple, and Nike CEO Mark Parker. In conclusion, through their training and experience in the understanding of the human interface with products or services, good designers are the ideal professionals to envisage and create an improved customer experience with your brand. What makes design central to business strategy?
  • 15. 15 FdK The Nike Fuelband - aesthetically appealing and desirable, key to the object of getting customers to purchase and use the device Fuelband users are able to track and share their efforts adding a social aspect to the Nke+ ecosystem The Nike+ sensor fits into a space in their shoes, tying their core product tightly into this new ecosystem The Nike+Fuelband App adds mobile convenience - fitting in with the way customers want to access and use their data
  • 16. 16 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS Commoditisation pushes design to the fore Another factor influencing the rise in the importance of design in business is where we are in the innovation cycle. Following a period of considerable technical innovation that has included the development and rise of the internet, and the rise of mobile computing, we are now in a period of increasing commoditisation with a focus on packaging the technology for consumption and focusing on the human interface with it. As the technology that drives this change becomes increasingly cheap and available, it has opened the door to opportunity for companies to exploit it - especially start-up companies. Even a short time ago a business start-up that was built on new technology, would be faced with the considerable time and expense of developing its own infrastructure from scratch, making the engineering of their product or service offering the most important element of getting it off the ground. Now, through the use of proprietary platforms, software and development kits, it is possible to quickly and simply develop and prototype a new idea, sell it through online marketplaces such as Amazon, Ebay and the App Stores, and advertise at a minimal cost through Social Media and Google Adwords. Thus it is possible for a start-up like Bump, an App that allows users to transfer information between mobile devices simply by ‘bumping’ them together, to build a product and acquire a million users after only spending $1000! In conclusion, our current position in the innovation cycle means that the design of the consumer interface and wider customer experience has become the determining factor in product or service differentiation and has created an atmosphere of opportunity for business start-ups in all fields.
  • 17. 17 FdK Bump - a simple App, focusing on building customer experience and taking advantage of the commoditisation period of the innovation cycle that we are now in to get to market quickly, successfully and at modest cost Selling through the App stores removes all of the costs and hassles of the conventional routes to market Promoting through the web and social media allows Bump to build customer awareness and create a buzz about their product on a small budget
  • 18. 18 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS It’s not just about new technology businesses It might seem that this design-driven change in business is only for new, high technology industries, but the principles apply to every business, regardless of size or sector. Once the development cycle of any industry moves out of the technical innovation stage, and the basic platforms and tools are universally available, the sales playing field starts to become more level. For example once your manufacturing excellence is matched or bettered by factories on the other side of the world, or your distribution channels are bettered by cheaper and more efficient internet operations, or your service is seen as something that can be acquired through templated, online services, the advantages of size, time in the marketplace and established products or services become irrelevant. How are you now going to maintain and build your customer base without making some fundamental improvements in design that enables you to prove the benefits of using you to every one of your customers at every point of contact with you? Perhaps more importantly, how can you change your offering so that it fits with customer needs rather than expecting customers to change to fit your offering? First Direct is a great example of how design is being used to grow a business that recognised years ago that the days of the bank with a massive High Street presence, available to customers only during working hours, was out of step with the way that people wanted to manage their money. Through close attention to the design of its customer service at every single touchpoint, it has become the most recommended financial brand in the UK, with over 82% of customers happy to recommend it to friends. One of the most important points here is that this is not simply about the conventional interpretation of design as the ‘gloss’ added at the end, in fact the First Direct style is very much ‘un-designed’ in that sense, with a simple, no-nonsense black and white style. The real design difference is in the service itself, whether customers are interacting with the bank through the internet or the phone, the service is available at any time, secure, friendly and efficient. I would argue that these are the values that customers seek far above flashy branches or websites, and in that respect of course, the no-nonsense branding of First Direct is entirely in line with the experience that it gives its customers. In conclusion the principles of good design and the design process that are being readily used by companies in the hi-tech industries are just as relevant to the rest of the business world, regardless of their size, experience, product or service.
  • 19. 19 FdK First Direct - focussing design thinking on their Customer Experience, not just a glossy branding
  • 20. 20 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS How do I integrate design into my business? The recognition of the importance of design in the business process has brought the designer to the fore in many companies, and there are many designer- led start-ups that are proving to be very successful such as Pinterest or Jawbone which are focussed on the development of the front end of a product as well as the underlying engineering. So, hopefully we can now see how good design can mean good business, and how it is at the forefront of business start-ups, but the big question is, how can this be integrated into your existing business? The good news is that it can be very simple - it’s about building a ‘culture of design’ in your company. Whether a one man band or a major corporate, the essence is to allow design and design thinking to flourish. In many, particularly larger organisations, design thinking is often stifled by complex processes of corporate approval that leads to design that is effectively the lowest common denominator - becoming something that is approved by all but loved by none. This barrier to effective use of design has existed for many years, and is only really now starting to be broken down. Dieter Rams, the famous product designer at Bruan between the 1950s and 70s believes that the classic designs he created were only possible because he reported directly to the Chairman. This relationship has very strong echoes in the one that existed between Jonathan Ive and Steve Jobs at Apple, again resulting in what many perceive as classic designs. Dieter Rams - for good design to flourish, it must be supported by all areas of a business from the top down Continued >
  • 21. 21 FdK Dieter Ram’s product designs for Braun between the 1950s and 70s - still regarded by many as classics, and influencers of many of today’s designers including Jonathan Ive at Apple
  • 22. 22 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS Where good design is stifled or not held in very great importance companies themselves become stifled - take for example Microsoft, once the world-dominating platform for personal and business computers that in the 2000s seemed to produce products that were not designed for the customer’s convenience, but for Microsoft’s which has led to a considerable decline in its market position and allowed competitors into the market that it once controlled almost completely. Only with the release of Windows 8 and the Surface tablet does Microsoft seem to have moved to a design- driven culture, taking lessons from Apple and others in the importance of integrating software and hardware to produce a winning customer experience. Many organisations may recognise the importance of design, but not have this deep, internal culture, and simply look to an external design agency to provide this for them. Now, there are some very large multinational design agencies out there with massive resources to meet the design needs of even the biggest corporation, and they can undoubtedly produce some great design work. However, in our experience, this externalising of the development of a design culture can fail once it is introduced into the wider organisation. Good staff at every level of a business take a pride in the work they do and often develop their own personal ways of providing that vital customer experience, but if there is no ingrained understanding of the importance of design, then they can often see a new ‘design initiative’ imposed from outside as an intrusion in their own way of working, and at best will resent it, at worst they will ignore it. So the conclusion to draw here is that design needs to be within a company’s DNA - if it is parachuted in from an external source or stifled from within, it will never lead to the long-term business benefits that it should provide. How do I integrate design into my business? Pinterest - focused on the design of the customer experience as much as it is on the technology
  • 23. 23 FdK Microsft Windows - a world-dominating operating system, but had it been designed for the benefit of its programmers rather than its customers? With the release of Windows 8, a clear change in design thinking at Microsoft is visible
  • 24. 24 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS But what about the cost? Cost. This is usually the final hurdle at which the best design intentions fall. Designers are precious, bow-tie wearing mavericks aren’t they? Expensive, egocentric and difficult to control. Perhaps I over-characterize the generic view of designer- types, but I believe that there is a kernel of truth in it. Integrating design and design-thinking into your business, whatever its size, is a process that may well at some point require the services of a professional designer. However, the real work starts in-house with the building of the ‘design culture’ that we have seen exists at many of today’s successful companies. This is nothing about being able to draw, or having an eye for colour, this is about understanding the basic principles of design thinking and applying them to every aspect of your business. This might include things such as how you answer the phone to your customers, how your reception or retail premises look, how your forms and paperwork are laid out and building a company-wide understanding of the importance of the customer experience and the role of design in creating constant innovation. A good recent example of this is HMV, who having called in the administrators, kept their stores open in the hope that they could maintain their customer loyalty and thereby help attract a suitable buyer and save the chain. However, despite being open, the stores refused to accept gift cards which had been sold right up to the eve of administration. This was a huge failure in the design of their customer experience, no matter how great the stores looked or how friendly the staff, every single one of those existing loyal customers who had gift cards, will be unlikely to ever use HMV again should it have been saved, and they will also act as (justifiably) negative ambassadors for the brand when talking to others. So start in-house, undertake a simple audit of design within your company, look at areas of strength and weakness, consider what things you can do yourselves and which things you will need external help for. For those items where you need the services of a professional designer, make sure that you are clear about the objectives that you have for any design work, write a full and detailed brief that gives details of you, your products and services, profiles existing customers and any new ones that you are wanting to reach, and contains examples of current materials and design initiatives that you may have along with any brand standards or guidelines that need to be followed. Continued >
  • 25. 25 FdK Good design has an impact at every point of contact between a company, its customers, owners and staff far beyond simple branding - you can’t see a logo, but do you recognize this brand and it’s values?
  • 26. 26 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS Good designers work best when they have a clear understanding of what their design needs to achieve and what constraints or parameters they need to work within. More importantly, design produced from comprehensive briefing and co-operation is far more effective, quicker to produce and consequently better value. With any design initiative, whether internally or externally run, one of the most important aspects of it is to properly measure the cost benefit that its introduction will bring. This will sometimes be easy to measure by making a baseline assessment of turnover and profitability before starting and re-measuring them at intervals after the implementation. Some of the effects of the introduction of good design will be less easy to measure in direct cash terms; including brand equity, customer awareness and satisfaction levels, and some may bring benefits in the long rather than the short term, such as customer confidence and loyalty. The important thing is to put into place as many systems as possible to gather data and assess the affects of design changes being introduced. All of these benefits, whether evident in the short, medium or long term and whether directly measurable in cash terms or not, are all significant to the success of your business. In summary, the integration of good design and design-thinking into your business need not be an expensive process, it is about understanding where and how design can make a difference and in many cases any changes or development can be simply achieved in-house. There are always going to be occasions when external design skill are necessary, but proper control of the commissioning and control of those services can keep costs down and improve the return on investment. But what about the cost?
  • 27. 27 FdK Good Design… Adds FOSTERdeKRETSER –Better Business. By Design. to Your Business VALUE M Friday, 15 February 13 Good Design… Gets Through FOSTERdeKRETSER –Better Business. By Design. ugh to your customers Friday, 15 February 13 Good Design… Gives you an EDGE FOSTERdeKRETSER –Better Business. By Design. over your Competitors Friday, 15 February 13 Good Design… FOSTERdeKRETSER –Better Business. By Design. Helps to build a strong T E Spirit Friday, 15 February 13
  • 28. 28 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS It’s not all about business Right at the beginning of this booklet, I suggested that originally ‘Design’ was really just another word for ‘Marketing’, or just the gloss that was applied at the end of a product or service development cycle. I hope that the brief insights I have given here demonstrate that in truth design is, or has become much more than that - it is a way of thinking that comes naturally to trained designers, but which can be used by anyone involved in business to keep themselves successful. However this kind of thinking process is not all about creating so-called ‘Designer Brands’, it can make a difference to people in all areas of the world. In his recent book ‘Popular Lies about Graphic Design’ Craig Ward says “There’s a real dignity in being the designer that makes a utility bill easier to understand for an elderly person. Or helping someone find their way through a crowded city centre or airport. This is the kind of design people interact with - and truly need - but don’t really pay attention to or perhaps acknowledge as design.” This is where design can make a REAL difference to lives, and it is increasingly being applied to work being done in the developing world. Whether it is using stored solar energy to provide light, creating fuel-efficient cooking devices, or improving sanitation and the build environment, design and designers are making a real difference, not simply for commercial return, but because it is genuinely helping others less fortunate than ourselves.
  • 29. 29 FdK Design making a difference - solar cookers for use in Africa - simple, fuel-efficient and low-cost Clear and concise signage that is clear to all, regardless of their language - good design that just works Creating forms that are simple to read, understand and complete - design that is not about trends or fashion, but making life easier Solar energy also being used in the design of lights that allow children in developing countries to study after sunset - design improving the life opportunities for those who need it most!
  • 30. 30 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS So, what have we learned about good design? • Good design and design-thinking should be at the core of every business • Good design is about a deep understanding, not simply the application of a surface gloss • Good design increases customer desire, loyalty and willingness to pay more • Good design builds ‘ecosystems’ around our core products or services • Good designers have the skills and experience to develop and improve customer experience
  • 31. 31 FdK • Good design has become increasingly important as we move out of the technical stage of the innovation cycle • Good design is not simply something for hi-tech businesses, but vital to all • Good design and design thinking need not be expensive, and return on investment can and should be measured • Good design can and should be a force for change in areas outside of pure commercial advantage Good design is good business!
  • 32. 1 GOOD DESIGN is GOOD BUSINESS DESIGN CONSULTANTS FOSTERdeKRETSER FosterdeKretser Design Consultants 3000 Cathedral Hill, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YB Telephone: 01483 243565 www.fdk.co.uk Email: info@fdk.co.uk Text: copyright FdK This booklet is intended to be a neutral comment on design in business in general. and no design work illustrated has been produced by FdK Where possible, copyright approval has been sought for the images used within this publication if you own the copyright to any of the included images and have not been contacted by us, please email info@fdk.co.uk, and we will be glad to remove or it or discuss licensing.