Autor:
Tomislav Jeličić
Direktor i osnivač Firmus grupa d.o.o.
Design, whether it’s creating websites, interiors or products, doesn’t just start with drawings or coding. The essence of design lies in understanding the needs of the user. Without it, the design loses its meaning. In this blog, we’ll explore why identifying a need is critical to successful design.
Understanding the user: When it comes to design, users are at the core. Without a deep understanding of their needs, preferences and constraints, design can be ineffective or even counterproductive. A good designer puts himself in the user’s shoes to better understand their perspective. This ensures that the design meets real needs and makes life easier for users.
Adapting to the environment: Each environment has its own specific requirements and challenges. A design that is functional in one context may not work in another. Therefore, it is important to adapt the design to the environment in which it will be used. For example, designing a restaurant interior requires understanding guest flow and comfort, while designing a mobile app requires adapting to different screen sizes and device capabilities.
Innovation through need: Some of the most revolutionary designs have come from recognizing a need that was not being met until then. Innovative products like smartphones or services like Uber were created in response to the real needs of users. Therefore, instead of focusing only on aesthetics or technology, we should seek inspiration from real problems and challenges that people face.
Recognizing a need as a key element of design reminds us that design is not just an aesthetic form, but a tool that should solve problems and improve the user’s life. By understanding their needs and environment, designers have the opportunity to create innovative solutions that truly deliver value. So before we dive into sketches and prototypes, let’s first make sure we have a clear understanding of why the design needs to exist and how it can best serve its purpose.
