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Pulse on Profit: Sticking to Smart Design
Profit is the lifeblood of a business. This isn’t exactly news—for a business to succeed, it must make a profit from providing goods and/or services to customers.
The Importance of Competitive Product Design
A company must ensure that its products are designed to stand out in the market. A competitive product secures a consumer base, ensuring income and driving profits up.
However, a common issue arises when the business side of a company clashes with the design side over design philosophy.
Profit vs. Design: A Common Business Dilemma
Profit is the ultimate goal—the higher, the better. Everyone wants to achieve this, but conflicts arise regarding how to get there.
The business side focuses on financial growth. Executives, marketing officers, and sales advisors prioritize meeting targets and quotas. Their sales-driven approach makes sense—profit is the point. However, this can lead to excessive focus on numbers: revenue, costs, margins, and returns.
Too often, design is seen merely as a tool to hit financial targets. This results in overlooking user satisfaction and convenience in favor of budget-friendly, quota-driven decisions. This approach frustrates designers and creates a divide between the two sides.
Understanding the Designer’s Perspective
Many designers enter the field to create. They aim to solve problems through artistry, innovation, and purpose-driven design. For them, design is about value, not just numbers.
However, businesses may overlook this approach for practical reasons. A great design concept might be difficult to execute. Some designs are overcomplicated, making them impractical. Others lack a clear market, making them unprofitable.
Bridging the Gap Between Business and Design
This divide hurts a company’s growth and overall profit. So how can businesses reconcile these differences?
Peter Drucker once said, “Profit for a company is like oxygen for a person. If you don’t have enough of it, you’re out of the game. But if you think your life is about breathing, you’re really missing something.”
Profit should be a significant factor in design, but making it the sole focus is counterproductive. Success comes from balancing business and design—using smart design approaches with profit in mind.
Creating a Market-Driven Design System
To find this balance, collaboration is key. The company must build strong ties between its design and business teams. It is important to establish a design system that is market-driven. This means focusing on the product’s value to users.
Good product design should solve problems and meet user needs. When users are satisfied, they are more likely to buy the product, increasing company profits.
Aligning Marketing with Product Design
Marketing strategies must align closely with product design. When marketing and design are on the same page, products have a clear target audience. A well-defined product makes marketing campaigns more effective and boosts sales.
Companies can take this further by identifying niche markets. Designing for niche markets—products that solve specific problems or cater to particular needs—helps businesses stand out. If the market is large enough, this approach can lead to significant profits.
Optimizing Production Through Smart Design
Smart design also considers production optimization. While artistry is essential, design must be practical in terms of manufacturing costs. There are always limitations, and thoughtful design turns these constraints into strengths.
Designing with profit in mind ensures a product that benefits both consumers and manufacturers.
Want to work with us? Check out our work on design and branding here.
Illustration / Designer: Joan Aguila
Campaign Strategist: Maria Margaret Cantos
Writer: Chris Ignacio