At Feelingpeaky we’re all about ‘good design that works’. The importance of good design is becoming widely recognised especially in terms of the difference it can make to the profit of a company.
I’ve just read a great article over at Co.Design on ‘Why good design is finally a bottom line investment’. It details the mix of factors, ranging from commoditization to evaporating barriers to competition, that are conspiring to push design to the fore of business thinking.
There are some great quotes in the article. For example, Whirlpool’s VP of design, Pat Schiavone commenting on changing the focus of the business from manufacturing-based company to product based company. “Why change? Because good design is very profitable.” Back as far as 1973 Thomas Watson Jr. (who in his career was Chairman and CEO of IBM) told Wharton students in 1973 that good design is good business. Just before the quote that everyone knows. “We are convinced,” he said, “that good design can materially help make a good product reach its full potential.” Replace product with business. Or even person. In every instance, the wisdom rings true.
Only design has that power to seduce and delight. Good design connects brands with audiences and creates possibilities.
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Chris Peak
