Design is a crucial aspect that is often associated with the creation of attractive and functional products, effective visual communications and a satisfactory user experience. This traditional approach to design is primarily aimed at improving the aesthetics and functionality of the products or services offered by the company. Strategic design goes one step further and represents a holistic approach in which design is considered as part of a long-term business strategy, addresses challenges and generates opportunities on a broader level.

In addition, strategic design plays an important role in promoting innovation, as it is increasingly linked to research into new products and materials, features, sales methods, etc., with the aim of meeting market and consumer expectations and requirements.

There is also a very important binomial between strategic design and sustainability, since the latter becomes a fundamental transforming tool for offering solutions to major environmental challenges, such as water use, waste reduction or reuse, responsibility in energy consumption and emissions, or a commitment to sustainable and reusable materials. All this, without losing sight of the functionality of products and services, as well as the user experience. For this reason, sectors such as furniture, lighting and consumer goods, among others, have been some of the most focused on strategic design.

Keys to implement strategic design

The effective implementation of strategic design in a company can make the difference in its long-term growth and success. Some important steps in implementing it would be:

1. Define a clear vision, in line with the company's core values. What is the company's mission? What are the challenges to be addressed? What is the expected impact?
2. Analyze the business environment, including market trends, competitors and macroeconomic factors. What is being done in the market? How can we differentiate ourselves? How can we transform or improve the user experience with the product?
3. People, at the center. Knowing the end user of products or services, seeking to transform their experience is key. To this end, it is important to apply new approaches.
4. Collaboration and organizational culture. Strategic design is not just the task of a specific team in the company. The knowledge and experience of different people can help identify opportunities and challenges. It is important to generate and foster a collaborative culture.
5. Measurement and monitoring, establishing key performance indicators to measure progress towards strategic objectives.
6. Flexibility. An effectively designed strategy must be flexible, allowing the strategy to be adjusted as needed.
7. Training and development. Providing training and development to the team to enhance skills and capabilities will ensure that they are equipped to execute the strategy successfully.