In the increasingly competitive market, the commercial value of design has become one of the key factors in measuring success. From Muji’s minimalist style to complex tech products, design needs to meet aesthetic and functional requirements, but also must have significant commercial appeal.
Kenya Hara, a Japanese design master, provides a series of profound insights in his book “Designing Design,” teaching us how to enhance the commercial value of products through design. This article will explore several key strategies.
1.Deeply understand the market and user needs.
Kenya Hara emphasizes that truly successful design originates from a deep understanding of user needs and a keen insight into market trends. Designers need to conduct market research, collect, and analyze consumer feedback to ensure that their designs solve real problems and attract target users.
For example, Muji’s product design fully considers consumers’ demands for simplicity, practicality, and eco-friendliness, successfully transforming these needs into core elements of product design.
2.Create a unique brand identity.
Kenya Hara not only seeks functionality and aesthetics in his designs but also emphasizes the uniqueness and recognizability of the brand. By using a consistent design language and visual style, a brand can create a distinctive image in consumers’ minds, enhancing brand loyalty and competitiveness. Designers should endeavor to create unique design elements that make the brand image deeply resonate with people.
3.Combine functionality with aesthetics.
Enhancing commercial value depends not just on visual appeal but also on high functionality. Kenya Hara promotes the concept of “no design,” advocating for simplifying designs based on meeting basic functions, avoiding unnecessary decorations to make products more pure and practical.
4.Enhance design value through technological innovation.
Designers should use new technologies to enhance the innovativeness and functionality of their designs. Kenya Hara frequently employs the latest technologies in his design practice, such as 3D printing and digital simulation. These technologies not only improve the precision of designs but also open up new possibilities for design.
5.Continuous iteration and optimization.
Successful commercial design is rarely achieved overnight but is perfected through continuous improvement and adapting to user feedback. Designers should establish mechanisms for iterative design to ensure that products can adapt to market changes and new consumer demands.
By using the strategies mentioned, designers can significantly enhance the commercial value of their designs. Kenya Hara’s “Designing Design” is not only essential reading for designers but also a valuable resource for any professional who wants to increase the commercial value of products through design.
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