From workstations to boardrooms: How designers are laying the strong foundation of any business

The concept of design has been widely acknowledged in history and evokes a sense of curiosity about what life looked like in the past eras. It will not be wrong to say that the very genesis of design is profoundly associated with the cultures, societies and people’s attributes of the gone eras that make the researchers understand their lifestyles and innovations in the 21^st century. For example, design has been a strong element in wall carvings of monuments and forts.

From the ancient times of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa civilization to the Indo-Islamic architecture developed by the Mughals, Design has played a pivotal role in India’s cultural history. And this legacy continues in today’s fast-paced tech world where Design serves as the core element of mostly everything that is part of our daily lives.

Design as a holistic approach

In today’s world, our lives are interconnected with technology, the internet and E-commerce. Innovations such as Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual reality and Augmented Reality are widely applied in possibly every field. Imagine getting burdened with huge piles of data, confusing numbers and possibly no imagery while shopping on an E-commerce platform. Or driving a car that has no element of design in it. The formula of a successful marketing model in today’s highly competitive world depends upon Design and products that are attractive to the eyes of the consumers and also meet user needs. With the digital boom, the inclination of the world towards innovation and a growing cultural economy, Design and creativity are at the forefront. 

The formula of a successful marketing model in today’s highly competitive world depends upon Design and products that are attractive to the eyes of the consumers and also meet user needs.

In the last decade, no other role in technology has witnessed more changes than the role of a Designer. From the field of cybersecurity to web design and game design, to the field of architecture and E-commerce amongst others, designers play a vital role in the core of any product. It is a people-centric profession that not only involves continuous innovation but also demands an in-depth understanding of end-users, market outlook and the cultural context. The ability to conceptualise a product much before it is developed in real is very essential. Perhaps that is the reason that Designers are today part of every boardroom meeting and their role is potent in the overall development of any new technology, software or product.

Opportunities in today’s developing tech era

From the food you order to the clothes you buy through an app or explore a 3D outlook of your living spaces online; you name it and you will find a large element of Design in every activity you do online. The role of a designer today involves continuous interaction regardless of gender or class and inspires empathy and a unique way of looking at the things around us.  Designers are taught how to empathise with end-users and gather information from different points of view that can be used to design products according to the preferences of different customers.

With the technological new era, creative professionals are exploring different fields in design. There is a growing demand for motion graphic designers, interaction designers, product designers, drone designers etc.

Digitisation has led to concept sketches expanding into product and service design with brands realising the value that design thinking can bring to their business. There is a growing demand for graphic designers as strong visual communication is needed now more than ever before to communicate with the audiences on social media, via marketing collateral, print, or brand identity work.

In the ever-evolving industry 4.0, there are a plethora of career avenues for designers. People-centric designs that are empathetic and target the psyche of a consumer are far more valued in any business. Therefore, it won’t be wrong to say that the role of a designer in influencing our daily lives is much more than we would have ever imagined.

Note: The views expressed in this article are that of University of Petroleum and Energy Studies [UPES] and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha