At all times, designers ought to ask themselves if theirproductsand services are solving problems and if the people on ‘the other side’ (i.e. the customers) are going to like what they do. Greatdesignis usually instinctively obvious to us. We know it when we see it! However, what’s not as clear is knowing when things can be significantly improved. Sometimes, we’re simply not aware that there are everyday problems to be solved, whatever we do.Some designers embrace their creativity to the max and go the extra mile to make things better and more convenient for the people around them. Our team here atBored Pandahas gathered some of the most impressive examples of genius solutions to everyday problems to show you that we all deserve to live in a world full of quality design. We shouldn’t have to settle for less! Scroll down for a glimpse of what that looks like.We wanted to learn more about how product designers can figure out their customers' current and future needs, so we got in touch withmarketing psychology speaker Matt Johnson, Ph.D.He was kind enough to answer our questions in detail. Read on for our full interview.This post may includeaffiliate links.

At all times, designers ought to ask themselves if theirproductsand services are solving problems and if the people on ‘the other side’ (i.e. the customers) are going to like what they do. Greatdesignis usually instinctively obvious to us. We know it when we see it! However, what’s not as clear is knowing when things can be significantly improved. Sometimes, we’re simply not aware that there are everyday problems to be solved, whatever we do.

Some designers embrace their creativity to the max and go the extra mile to make things better and more convenient for the people around them. Our team here atBored Pandahas gathered some of the most impressive examples of genius solutions to everyday problems to show you that we all deserve to live in a world full of quality design. We shouldn’t have to settle for less! Scroll down for a glimpse of what that looks like.

We wanted to learn more about how product designers can figure out their customers' current and future needs, so we got in touch withmarketing psychology speaker Matt Johnson, Ph.D.He was kind enough to answer our questions in detail. Read on for our full interview.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

The Local Nursing Home Is An Indoor Town. There’s A Movie Theater And Pub

Marketing psychology speaker Johnson, who is the host of thebrandingandhuman natureblogs, explained to Bored Panda that understanding customers' real needs without relying on mere guesswork is an age-old problem with no silver bullets. At the end of the day, product designers need to embrace a holistic approach to move past assumptions.“Firstly, direct engagement with users is crucial. Conducting surveys, interviews, and usability tests can reveal insights into customers' preferences, pain points, and behaviors. This approach allows designers to empathize with users, gaining a deeper understanding of their needs and desires,” Johnson told Bored Panda via email.

Marketing psychology speaker Johnson, who is the host of thebrandingandhuman natureblogs, explained to Bored Panda that understanding customers' real needs without relying on mere guesswork is an age-old problem with no silver bullets. At the end of the day, product designers need to embrace a holistic approach to move past assumptions.

“Firstly, direct engagement with users is crucial. Conducting surveys, interviews, and usability tests can reveal insights into customers' preferences, pain points, and behaviors. This approach allows designers to empathize with users, gaining a deeper understanding of their needs and desires,” Johnson told Bored Panda via email.

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“Secondly, analyzing data from various sources can provide valuable insights. This includes user feedback, analytics, and market research. By combining qualitative and quantitative data, designers can identify patterns and trends, informing their design decisions.“He continued: “Lastly, collaboration with cross-functional teams, including marketers, engineers, and customer service representatives, can provide diverse perspectives and ensure that designs meet both customer needs and business goals.” According to Johnson, these strategies will allow designers to come up with solutions that will resonate with their customers on a deeper level.“While there’s no guarantee that a product will be successful once it reaches the market, these steps can ensure that the product has the best possible chance of success,” he said.

“Secondly, analyzing data from various sources can provide valuable insights. This includes user feedback, analytics, and market research. By combining qualitative and quantitative data, designers can identify patterns and trends, informing their design decisions.”

He continued: “Lastly, collaboration with cross-functional teams, including marketers, engineers, and customer service representatives, can provide diverse perspectives and ensure that designs meet both customer needs and business goals.” According to Johnson, these strategies will allow designers to come up with solutions that will resonate with their customers on a deeper level.

“While there’s no guarantee that a product will be successful once it reaches the market, these steps can ensure that the product has the best possible chance of success,” he said.

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On top of that, the marketing psychology speaker suggested opting for a customer-centric focus to keep designs relevant and impactful. “Collaborating with customers and gathering feedback in a continuous loop can provide valuable insights into evolving needs and preferences.”

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Toothbrush With Replaceable Bristles So You Don’t Have To Keep Buying A New Handle

Johnsonnoted that anticipating future needs comes down to having a proactive and adaptive mindset. “By combining strategic foresight with a willingness to experiment and iterate, designers and companies can stay ahead of the curve and deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of their customers.”

This sort of approach is market-driven, where companies try to understand and anticipate the needs of their target market. However, this isn’t the only methodology, Johnson said. Another approach is being a market-driving force.

“Here, the company doesn’t listen to what the customer wants, but rather, it TELLS them what they should want. Brands who take this approach are often found in the luxury market (especially luxury fashion), and in highly innovative companies such as Apple (especially with the iPhone).”

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Ideally,quality designshould be centered on finding the balance between two things: function and form. To put it very simply, as a designer, you want to create an end product that does what it’s supposed to do and also has great aesthetics. In short, if something works flawlessly and looks great, then you’ve done your job extremely well.Meanwhile, if you do a better design job than your competitors, then you’ve stood out from the crowd. Cue the endless accolades, profits, and applause! However, focusing on function or form alone can backfire. If you’re honing in on either aspect of design at the expense of the other, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. What you want to aim for is creating aholistic experiencefor your clients.

Ideally,quality designshould be centered on finding the balance between two things: function and form. To put it very simply, as a designer, you want to create an end product that does what it’s supposed to do and also has great aesthetics. In short, if something works flawlessly and looks great, then you’ve done your job extremely well.

Meanwhile, if you do a better design job than your competitors, then you’ve stood out from the crowd. Cue the endless accolades, profits, and applause! However, focusing on function or form alone can backfire. If you’re honing in on either aspect of design at the expense of the other, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. What you want to aim for is creating aholistic experiencefor your clients.

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If you focus on function alone, then you risk your design getting lost in the crowd. Even if something performs quite well, your potential customers might not want to buy it if it looks ugly or if your competitors created products that are easier on the eyes.On the other hand, if you go all-in on coolaesthetics, you also risk pushing your customers away and damaging your reputation.To put it bluntly, things need to do what they’re supposed to do. Yes, beauty has merit. But that’s why we create and buy art. Products lacking functionality should not masquerade as something more. It’s all fine and well that designers understand the importance of beauty.However, they should avoid putting their artistic vision on a pedestal.

If you focus on function alone, then you risk your design getting lost in the crowd. Even if something performs quite well, your potential customers might not want to buy it if it looks ugly or if your competitors created products that are easier on the eyes.

On the other hand, if you go all-in on coolaesthetics, you also risk pushing your customers away and damaging your reputation.

To put it bluntly, things need to do what they’re supposed to do. Yes, beauty has merit. But that’s why we create and buy art. Products lacking functionality should not masquerade as something more. It’s all fine and well that designers understand the importance of beauty.

However, they should avoid putting their artistic vision on a pedestal.

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If some aesthetic aspects of the design get in the way of its functionality, it might be time to go back to the drawing board. Similarly, you need to rethink things, as well, if your super-functional product looks worse than what your competitors have put out. Products that aren’t ergonomic or easy to understand and put the customers’ convenience in last place should be reworked.It’s far easier to market products and design solutions when they solve problems and look great.When it comes toinnovation, however, things get tough. It is difficult enough to genuinely get to grips with what your target customers want and need right now. It’s even harder to anticipate how those wants and needs might change in the near future. It takes a lot of creativity, hard work, and empathy for product designers to accurately guess what the future might hold.

If some aesthetic aspects of the design get in the way of its functionality, it might be time to go back to the drawing board. Similarly, you need to rethink things, as well, if your super-functional product looks worse than what your competitors have put out. Products that aren’t ergonomic or easy to understand and put the customers’ convenience in last place should be reworked.

It’s far easier to market products and design solutions when they solve problems and look great.

When it comes toinnovation, however, things get tough. It is difficult enough to genuinely get to grips with what your target customers want and need right now. It’s even harder to anticipate how those wants and needs might change in the near future. It takes a lot of creativity, hard work, and empathy for product designers to accurately guess what the future might hold.

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In Singapore, Senior Citizens And People With Disabilities Can Tap A Card To Get Extra Time Crossing The Street

Anticipating future needs so you know how to adapt your designs comes down to doing a lot of research and then extrapolating from that. First of all, you want to see what your biggest competitors in the market are getting right.A vital part of business and design is being aware of what your contemporaries are doing, as well as what market trends are in vogue.

Anticipating future needs so you know how to adapt your designs comes down to doing a lot of research and then extrapolating from that. First of all, you want to see what your biggest competitors in the market are getting right.

A vital part of business and design is being aware of what your contemporaries are doing, as well as what market trends are in vogue.

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Second, you want to directly engage with your customer base. There’s nothing like directly asking someone how you can improve their experience. However, you can’t take everything you hear at face value.Sometimes, people aren’t even aware of how their lives can be improved. So you need to find ways of figuring out their deeper needs (e.g. saving time, being safer, having more convenience) and how you can meet them.

Second, you want to directly engage with your customer base. There’s nothing like directly asking someone how you can improve their experience. However, you can’t take everything you hear at face value.

Sometimes, people aren’t even aware of how their lives can be improved. So you need to find ways of figuring out their deeper needs (e.g. saving time, being safer, having more convenience) and how you can meet them.

It Can Be So Easy To Make People’s Lives Easier

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Thirdly, creating good design comes down to testing, editing, and trying out different variations of your ideas. You need to—time and time again—try to bridge the gap between what you’re offering your customers right now and what they should ideally be getting in the future that even your competitors can’t provide.From our perspective, true innovation is an act of profound empathy. It proves that the brilliant people behind the designs can get into the minds and hearts of others.

Thirdly, creating good design comes down to testing, editing, and trying out different variations of your ideas. You need to—time and time again—try to bridge the gap between what you’re offering your customers right now and what they should ideally be getting in the future that even your competitors can’t provide.

From our perspective, true innovation is an act of profound empathy. It proves that the brilliant people behind the designs can get into the minds and hearts of others.

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Which of the genius solutions featured in this list awed you the most, Pandas? Were there any that you were genuinely shocked to see? Were there ideas that you think you would have come up with yourselves? What everyday problems do you wish could be solved right now?

The Golf Balls At The Mini Golf On This Pier Are Biodegradable And Fall Into The Sea At The 18th Hole

This Airplane Seat Has A Step To Help Short People Reach The Overhead Locker

The Local Supermarket Has Its Own “Farm” Where They Grow Different Types Of Salads And Other Vegetables

This Pump Bottle Is Designed For You To Get As Much Out Of It As Possible

These Small Tents In A Store, To See What They Would Look Like In Full-Size

My Local Playground Has A Communication Board So Kids Can Interact And Play If They Are Deaf Or Can’t Speak The Language

This Airport Has A Bathroom For Service Animals

These Shopping Carts Have A Compartment For Pets

This Tire Has A Tread Depth Measuring Built Into The Rubber

My Town Has A Bike Pump Permanently Installed Next To The Bike Lock-Up Area

The Stalls At This Airport Have Green/Red Lights To Indicate If They’re In Use Or Not

This Toilet Has A Separate Door For Children

This Sushi Restaurant Has Two Different Soaps For Before And After Eating

This Sticker Lets The Person Receiving This Cargo Know How Many Degrees It Was Tilted Based On Where The Green Beads Are

The Grocery Store I Went To Earlier Had A Special Escalator For Your Shopping Carts

The Local Blood Bank Has These Signs To Show How Much Blood They Have

They Have A Bench With A USB Port At A Train Station In Rural France

My Gym’s Vending Machine Organizes Water Based On Its Temperature

The Door Knob Is Higher At The Doctor’s Office To Prevent Kids From Escaping

This Allows You To Turn The Water On From The Outside So It Can Heat Up Without Splashing You With Cold Water

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My Computer Science University Has Vending Machines For Spare Parts

This Trekking Shoe Store Has A Test Area

There Is A 40-Story Building In Chicago That Functions As Its Own “You Are Here” Map Showing Its Exact Position In The City

My Vacuum Cleaner Filter Displays Taps When It’s Wet After Cleaning, So You Know When It’s Fully Dry

This Device Is Put On Your Car If You Don’t Park Inside The Lines

My Pill Bottles Have A Reversible Lid That Can Screw On So You Don’t Have To Use The Child-Proof Lock

This Nail Polish Comes With A Swatch Built Into The Cap

This Hole For Photographers At The Local Airport

My New Toaster Has “A Bit More” Button

This Coffee Shop Has Signs That Explains What’s In Different Drinks

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When pressing 6639H, it will enable the light for 6 hours, disable it for 6, enable it for 3, and disable it for 9 hours. It’s meant to be pressed in the afternoon (e.g., at 5 PM), then the light will stay on until 11 PM, come back on at 5 AM, go out again at 8 AM, and repeat the cycle at 5 PM the next day. Also, the 8H and 6H buttons will repeat every 24 hours.

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My Dishwasher Has A Spot Specifically For Chopsticks

A Friend’s Dentist Gives His Patients Homemade Deer Jerky To Encourage Flossing

The Airport In Seoul Has A Robot Which Will Carry Your Luggage To Your Gate For You

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This McDonald’s In Amsterdam Has A Microwave For Warming A Baby Bottle

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My Puzzle Has Letters On The Back To Check The Placement

This Cake Cutter Came With A Match To Light The Candles

This Hotel Shower Head Has A Temperature Display

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This Bottle Of Tea Has The Flavor Stored In The Cap. According To The Bottle, It Keeps It Fresher

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They Installed Wireless Chargers Integrated In The Tables In KFC (In Canada)

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Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Product Design