You want it to work AND sell?
You can Engineer something to work, but you’ll have to Style it to sell.
Sometimes, in the rush to market, often the functionality of the product is set as the top priority. The design and appearance takes a back seat to the function. It’s not always the wisest move. Think like a consumer. He (or she) wants the “best!”
When your customer is shopping for the best their eye will always be attracted by the appearance first. They aren’t shopping for an ugly product that claims to work well. They aren’t perusing the items that look exactly like the rest.
That’s because the average consumer doesn’t realize there’s a division between Style and Engineering, so it’s a smart management team that recognizes how two different departments make one product.
Steve Jobs knew that very well. It made the iPhone iconic.
Simply put, the sharpest looking product gets noticed first. If the consumer experience is that the item works as well as it looks, then you’ve created The Best. In addition, you’ll have built more than a high sales product; you’ll also have made a delighted customer. In today’s world of Internet communication, a happy customer is a social media influencer. The fact is, getting that positive word of mouth is always the best marketing strategy.
Without ever proclaiming it, everybody takes notice of appearance, and appearance affects everybody’s judgment. Even the price the consumer is willing to pay for your product is impacted by its appearance. A well-designed product has an appearance that visually communicates its quality to your customer and THAT affects his purchasing decision.
Never underestimate the power of appearance in designing a new product.
If you’re going to invest the resources required to build great functionality, then don’t leave it unfinished. Style it to match its greatness, because the fastest donkey in the world won’t ever win a horse race.
