For any business, branding and design serve as the backbone to build their business. It is a way for the layman to identify and connect with a brand. It plays a crucial role in the product development process through design research.
By understanding how your target market thinks, views the products and services of your competitors, you are able to provide something unique or distinguish yourself from others. For this reason, it is cheaper to invest in design research now rather than completely rebranding later.
Design is more than aesthetics; it goes beyond the surface of something. Design thinking is an approach to problem-solving that involves observing, questioning, and understanding people’s behavior to inspire creative solutions for daily life.
There are five basic principles to branding :
- Ensure Your Brand’s Purpose: What is the purpose of this business? Why does it exist? Why do you exist in the first place? Why should people be interested in your product or service?
- Differentiate yourself from the competition: What makes you different from others? Why should someone go for you? How do you stand out in the market when there is so much choice available to customers?
- Make it Relevant: You will need to confirm whether your target market is interested in the same things that you are. If they aren’t, then you probably need to figure out a new direction for your product or service.
Insight into the market is necessary to understand why they have an interest and what makes them choose one brand over another.
- Make it Memorable: How do people remember your brand or product? What words do they use to describe it? These techniques can be used in future branding and marketing campaigns.
- Make sure that the brand is consistent across all platforms: From merchandise to emails, social media platforms, physical stores, and more. All of these elements must convey a message that’s in line with the company’s vision.
In recent years, companies have been judged by consumers on their design and branding choices. Apple is a perfect example of this phenomenon. They are not the only ones making phones, but they are ranked as one of the top companies to work for due to their ability to take your breath away with stunning designs. One of the main reasons for this is because they are able to deliver on their promises. Whether it’s a phone, laptop, tablet, or watch – each design is based on making life easier for people.
In conclusion, branding and design can make or break a company. While it may seem like a small step, a brand can be the difference between success and failure for a new business.