Responses

1) It’s been a well-established debate about whether a product’s appearance or its functionality is the main selling factor. Product functionality is the prime key to make brand success. The purpose of selling a product in the market is because it is capable of solving a problem for the customers. A product can’t hold a value to the customers with only its aesthetics. This is why the product functionality comes to the first place as the main factor of brand success. The role of design and look comes after the product is functional to solve a particular problem or customer need. The functionality of a product enables the customers to a purposeful activity [1]. A functional product without aesthetics can be a successful brand but a product with without functionality and with aesthetics cannot be a successful brand. But a functional product with beautiful design has a chance of being extremely successful. Smartphones sold by Apple can be a good example of that. This smartphone not only satisfy the customer’s need to solve their problems but also it has exceptionally good design than another smartphone in the market. As a result, Apple’s smartphones are more popular than any other smartphone brands. When there is a similar functionality offered by different manufacturers, a product with good aesthetics takes the role to make it a successful brand. But only good design can never make it a successful brand[1-2].

2) In my opinion, I think that the debate of product design versus product functionality really depends on the specific product itself. However, for the majority of the products, I think that product functionality is the key to brand success. The main reason that any consumer buys the majority of products is to satisfy their needs. Consequently, the consumer cares more about the function of the product and its ability to get the job done. It is only after the consumer’s needs are met that they will start to care about the design and other features of other available products that can satisfy the same need. I also think that the majority of people in the world, do not necessarily have the ability to buy a product just for its features or its design.

For example, if I were buying a car, the first priority is that is runs well and can get me to where I need to be each day. The second priority based on things such as my budget or preferences, would be the design and model of the car.

 Another example would be someone going to buy a new watch. First, they need to make sure that the watch is going to tell time, as this is the basic function of a watch. The second priority is the style of watch that they would prefer to buy. Maybe they want leather? Maybe they want a sports watch? Maybe they would prefer an Apple watch. All of those decisions are secondary and also nonexistent of the first priority is not met.

My final example would be a simple toothbrush. First, I need to ensure that I am just able to brush my teeth every day. Then once this need is met, I can upgrade to an electric toothbrush or another fancy brand that has additional amenities.

I am not saying that product design is not important because I think that it is an important part. The design and other features are what will set your product apart from the other competition. However, it does not matter how fancy your product is, if it does do the job it is expected to do then the consumer will go back to the market and get another product to satisfy their need.