Real-Life Communication
To become a successful designer, you need to ensure that your designs
will appeal to consumers. If they don't, it may end up costing the company
money and market share. No matter how much effort you put into forecasting
the consumer response for a product, the outcome is always uncertain.
Because
uncertainty plays such a big role in this industry, communication becomes
extremely important. First of all, you must be informed through various communication
sources about the industry trends. Such sources may include magazines, consumer
reports, market researchers and many other resources.
"A large part
of the designer's job is spent selling new ideas and concepts, often to very
conservative clients," says designer Dave Schenone. "The ability to effectively
communicate and lead a group of people to your line of thinking is a very
critical part of the overall success of a designer in a corporation or consultant
firm."
If they are not convinced, your design will never be approved,
thereby wasting your time, talent and effort.
You are an athletic shoe
designer. You have just come up with one of your most innovative and promising
designs. Traditionally, runners were always white in color. According to market
research, there is a high demand for non-white colored athletic shoes.
You
have just come up with an innovative new black-colored athletic shoe. Now
your job is to effectively communicate your design to a group of potential
clients. You want to write an invitation memo with a brief description of
your design to allow clients to understand the product and its innovative
design. Here are the facts you need to include:
- Black runner
- Classification: Basketball shoes
- High-cut runner to give ankle support
- Extra air in sole to give more cushioning without affecting performance
- New innovative design
- Cost to make: $35 per pair
- Suggested sale price: $125 per pair
- Information Session: Saturday at 10 a.m.
- Place: Pan Ocean's Hotel