Everyone has experienced this on some level. In the '80s, people put patches on their jackets. In the '90s, they added buttons to their backpacks. In the 2000s, they decorated notebooks with stickers and wore event t-shirts. Many have stood in line for a cool freebie at an event and placed it on their desk.
A designer who uses Design Thinking must step out of their comfort zone. They need to interact with those who understand the company, its services, and its customers, often meaning collaboration with marketing, product, and sales teams.
The designer’s role is to represent something greater than just a drawing. A branding project embodies this. By adopting this perspective and communicating it to others, the chances of creating a truly iconic logo increase. People might even start asking, “Who designed this logo?”
This is the power of branding combined with Design Thinking. People don’t keep these items just because they liked the design or the designer; they keep them because of the emotional significance and personal connection.
In conclusion, building alliances at work is crucial. Encouraging contributions from others and viewing a design project as a team effort is essential. Involving others in the process ensures that the project transcends personal design preferences and becomes a collaborative effort.
Design Thinking enhances branding by fostering collaboration across design, marketing, and value creation, aiming to develop brands like Apple and Nike that resonate deeply and personally with consumers.