Designing for Success: The Importance of External Factors in Product Development

Designers often rely on user research to solve problems.

However, studying human behaviour is not enough when designing for business opportunities disguised as user problems. This approach fails to take into account the broader context in which users operate and may lead to solutions that are not effective in the long run.

People enjoy saving money, but it’s essential to remember that lowering the price isn’t always the best way to make something more desirable and popular. Focusing on the product’s features, design, or customer service can often be a better way to attract potential customers.

By taking a holistic view of the user’s environment, designers can create solutions that are more likely to be successful.

💡One framework that can be helpful to bring clarity in such situations is designing the “11 Star Experience”. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This term was coined by Brian Chesky, the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, to describe the company’s goal of providing an exceptional customer experience. The “11 Star Experience” refers to the idea that Airbnb wants to provide guests with an experience that is so memorable and unique that it would be equivalent to receiving eleven stars out of five…