No matter what you do, your company incorporates some level of design. It might be your business cards, your accounting forms, your website or your entire product. How can you take advantage of good design to change your company for the better?
Jacek Utko designed newspapers for a living. Twenty years ago when he started, there was very little focus placed on the design of newspapers. Because of his work and his passion, his newspaper was named the best designed paper in the world. His bosses must have been happy when the design change increased sales drastically.
Listen to him describe the process:
(Thanks to 37signals for sharing that video originally.)
What I hear in his story is how taking the lead and changing the way people thought about the design of newspapers led to a sea change in the industry. The product everyone in the company worked towards changed, and so did the company.
I think it is especially true in the United States: good design is neglected. We’re surrounded by a lot of bad design, a product of a bottom-line, do-it-now mentality.
The consequence isn’t just that something is less pretty. Since form and function are wrapped so tightly together, the way your product functions will change as the form changes.
In an information age, good design will help convey that information better.
Do some kind of usability testing on whatever design you have in your company. Have your friend look at it. Have your grandmother try to read it. Is it effective?
Information should be both striking and easy to understand at a glance. Grab your audience’s attention, and make it easy for them to know what you’re saying once you have their focus. If they don’t understand your message, you won’t have them for long.
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