Why is design important?

Design plays a crucial role across various aspects of technology, business, and everyday life. Here's why experts believe design is important:

1. Human-Computer Interaction:

   • Dave Morin emphasizes that as technology evolves, the way humans interface with computers and data becomes paramount. Innovations like the mouse, keyboard, and touch interfaces have revolutionized computing, making design increasingly critical for enhancing human interactions with technology 1.

2. Business Relevance:

   • Jehad Affoneh notes that design needs to align with business goals to be valuable within an organization. Understanding and contributing to broader business objectives is essential for design teams to have a meaningful impact and secure a "seat at the table" 2.

3. Consumer Expectations:

   • Jake Knapp highlights the rising expectations for product quality and design among consumers. High-quality design isn't just about aesthetics but about shaping business success and validating ideas, which is increasingly recognized across various industries 3.
     
     1
     The Importance of Design
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     2
     Seat at the Table
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     3
     Design's Evolving Role
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     4
     Importance of Design
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     5
     Redefining Design
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     6
     Design as Problem Solving
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     7
     Designing for Impact
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4. Evolving Industries:

   • Karri Saarinen points out that as industries mature, the need for high-quality design becomes foundational. In competitive markets, superior design is necessary right from the start for any product to be taken seriously 4.

5. Problem-Solving Capability:

   • Sarah Greenberg from Stanford's d.school describes design as a flexible and powerful method for problem-solving and problem-finding. It goes beyond aesthetics to help identify and address significant challenges across diverse fields 5 6.

6. Impact and Innovation:

   • Frank Stephenson discusses how designers are wired to innovate and take risks, which can lead to impactful solutions. His experience with the Fiat 500 redesign illustrates how creative design can rejuvenate a company and have substantial economic and societal impacts 7.

These experts highlight that design is not just about making things look good; it's about improving functionality, enhancing user experience, aligning with business goals, and driving innovation and problem-solving.