THE VALUE OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN YOUR BUSINESS
By Anne Côté
ANNECOTEDESIGN.COM
As a business owner, you know what your mission, vision and values are, but do you know how to translate all this ideology into real, meaningful customer experiences?
The commercial interior design you choose is very important to your business as it’s a direct reflection of your company and it can have a major impact on the success of your business. The impression your office or establishment makes on your visitors will have a direct impact on how they view your company. Visitors will judge your establishment and form an opinion on your business based on your interior design.
The interior design of your workspace represents a unique opportunity to tell a compelling story to your customers about where your business came from and what you want to accomplish. It adds real value to your organization, builds your brand awareness and highlights your corporate characteristics. Visitors will certainly be more inclined to speak positively about your business if they had a great experience during their visit to you.
Today, good design has never been more important to the success of a business. The most successful companies know there are compelling reasons to prioritize design to improve the odds of success. Good design creates meaningful first impressions, helps you differentiate yourself from your competitors, helps solve problems, and boosts your brand awareness.
What do statistics say on design for business?
More and more studies show that design is fiscally beneficial. We now understand that companies who put an emphasis on design do much better than the ones who don’t. There is a link between design and better business performances and research proves it. Interestingly, businesses that see design as an integral part of their structure are more than twice as likely as others to see rapid growth.
‘’…over a ten-year period, companies that put an emphasis on design outperformed the FTSE 100 index by 200%” — The Design Council
Research indicates a positive relationship between valuing design and growing a business. It is noted that rapidly growing businesses value design much more than others. Their enthusiasm and appreciation are sometimes as much as three times greater. In comparison, businesses that have only grown moderately or stayed the same size, all place less importance on design.
Interior design reinforces the brand image of your company.
Design is the language of brand expression. Through design, businesses express powerful content. The fact is that every business’ commercial interior spaces are sending a powerful message to customers. The interior design of a business premise is one of the most powerful images of a business and sends a distinct message to customers about who that business is and how they conduct themselves.
With the right commercial designer who understands the mix between branding/corporate identity and great interior design for your business premises, you can exponentially increase the brand awareness, and associations that your customers attach to your business.
Remember that the determining factor of successful businesses is their ability to define their brand simply and then translate that brand meaning into every touchpoint within their business and this means their websites, their marketing materials and most importantly, their premises.
Is your place of business communicating your brand message?
Let’s say the first point of contact with your customers is your business’ on-site premises, then you must be aware that this space is critical in communicating exactly what it is you stand for. Your business’ location, whether it is an office, a retail space, a restaurant etc. is a major representation of your brand. It is the physical manifestation of all that your brand represents. If you are a business that ever meets with clients and customers face to face, then the importance of the design of your interior space cannot be underestimated.
The successful design of a business environment creates a branded experience that allows your customers to understand your business before having the chance to visit your website or contact you directly. A strong branded interior is what makes you stand out and be recognizable to new and returning clients.
How exactly good design can benefit your business?
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. The design is how it works.” — Steve Jobs.
As we’ve seen, evidence shows that using design improves business performance. Businesses who invest in design understand that this approach goes beyond the cosmetic aspect. Yes, Design contributes to developing the distinctive image of their business and is an essential marketing tool for a business that wants to differentiate itself from the competition, but Design can also be used to benefit your business in many less obvious ways:
Design can also make your business processes even more efficient. Remember that design isn’t just about managing the appearance of your business, it’s also about managing your business processes so they’re as cost-effective as possible. As well as increasing the value of your products and services to customers, design can cut production costs.
Careful design of the manufacturing process, for instance, can bring substantial savings. It can also make processes and the use of materials more efficient and environmentally friendly, helping businesses comply with sustainability regulations and legislation.
Make design part of your business strategy
Design has value addition ideas for every business. Businesses communicate well through design, and not only to customers, but it can create a business image in the minds of employees and every stakeholder of the business. Hiring a Designer can solve all the design-related problems efficiently. They can identify the areas that lack and where there are chances of additions. They are the experts who can craft custom-made design strategies to transform a good business into a successful business.
Is cost a factor preventing you from hiring a designer?
Many retailers still feel that design is expensive and reserved for chic boutiques. Perhaps they don’t know that “on average, it only takes 20 months for design projects to pay back their investment.” — Invotek case study. Indeed, merchants who invested in the design of their spaces have understood that their approach goes far beyond the cosmetic aspect.
Design deserves attention from business owners and managers. Successful businesses include design as part of their business strategy from the outset. Involving design at an early stage can not only save you money but will result in a better offering and a better experience for your customers. Good design gives you a competitive edge, drives powerful marketing results and allows you to stand out.
Would you now agree that Designers are real asset for your business?
By Anne Côté
ANNCOTEDESIGN.COM