How Design & Thinking Shapes the Future of Printing

Design thinking, an innovative concept that emerged as a revolutionary means of problem-solving and product development in business, is one of the most effective ways to connect with customers today. Irrespective of the industry you operate in, the concept finds its relevance in the way you communicate and conduct business.

In the realm of graphic design and printing as well, design thinking plays a pivotal role in developing impactful advertising assets like branding panels and hoardings. For instance, retail stores often use branding panels at their entrances to highlight promotional offers, while corporate offices utilise them for wayfinding signage and brand storytelling. Similarly, event organisers incorporate branding panels to create immersive photo backdrops and sponsorship displays, ensuring a cohesive and visually striking presence. Here we explore the concept in depth and learn more about the pillars of design & thinking in print media.

What is Design Thinking?

Experts define design thinking as a user-centric philosophy that focuses on understanding the end-user’s needs, emotions, and experiences above everything else when designing a product, or solution.

In simpler terms, it is a concept that drives creative development of any kind with a strong focus on fulfilling the user’s needs and acknowledging their emotions above all else.

As opposed to traditional solutions and products which were essentially outcome-oriented and unresponsive to the dynamic and nuanced needs of the people they were made for, design thinking projects induce and encourage developers to think and empathise with the user to create solutions that are much more efficient.

This approach applies to all industries and projects intending to serve consumers. Print media in particular demands a thoughtful design thinking approach, as it seeks to attract consumer attention and encourage some form of action, which ultimately serves them.

Design Thinking Process

The design thinking process involves a focused journey starting from empathy to execution, where developers are required to exercise constant and consistent reflective iterations based on the dynamic emotions of the consumer, to achieve a refined and efficient outcome.

In essence, this means that the process does not always progress in a linear path, instead, it requires circle-backs and a flexible mindset to adapt to the changing demands and incorporate the changes into the solution.

Design Thinking Examples

In graphic design and printing, design thinking involves creating advertisements and supplementary print assets like branding panels that focus on the consumer’s emotions. This means graphic designers need to exercise empathy when designing ads so that they resonate with the target audience and induce the desired impact.

For example, real estate agencies use branding panels to display high-quality property images and contact details, making their listings more appealing. Similarly, hospitality businesses utilise branding panels in lobbies to create a welcoming atmosphere and reinforce their brand identity. Additionally, retail stores place branding panels near checkout areas to promote special offers and enhance customer engagement.

Here are some examples.

• Construction hoardings that serve as more than safety barriers to mark-off sites. An innovatively designed empathy-driven construction hoarding can inform, educate, as well as entertain with the right colours and copy – a combination that can potentially evoke emotions and distract commuters from the inconvenience caused by the construction.
• Branding panels that use appropriate colours based on colour analysis. For example, a beauty salon and spa that uses cool-toned shades of green or blue will exude a sense of calm and peace – two emotions that can resonate with customers looking for spa services.
• A fall campaign for a clothing brand with print assets that use autumn colours will catch customers’ attention and evoke feelings of warmth and comfort, both of which can potentially resonate with customers looking to purchase fall clothes.

There are many ways to design a hoarding or a banner using the design thinking approach to reap maximum benefits. Investing in executing the philosophy will indeed be a worthwhile effort.

Wrapping Up

Design thinking is the latest and most revolutionary development in the field of creative development. Whether it is for product development or graphic design and banner printing, the design thinking approach allows brands to create solutions that perfectly resonate with and serve the end-user, ultimately allowing them to improve their bottom line. Incorporate this philosophy in your creative projects and partner with a thoughtful graphic design and print service provider to maximise your investment.