Fueling Design with Curiosity: The Importance of Asking “What If?”
Visual design is more than just creating something aesthetically pleasing. At its core, design is about problem-solving and creating solutions that meet the needs of people. Whether it’s designing content, a product, a space, or even an experience, great design always has a broader meaning and element of discovery. Curiosity is in part, a huge driver of that discovery and it plays a crucial role within the design process. Curiosity drives designers to explore new possibilities and ask the critical question: “What if?”
“Be confident in your curiosity and let it inspire you to ask the questions most meaningful to you. Don’t worry about what people will say when you go against the grain. Do it for yourself and your individual pursuit of discovery.”
“What if?” is a question that fuels creativity and innovation in design. It encourages designers to look beyond the obvious or expected and explore new perspectives and possibilities. Oftentimes, designers can get caught up in what everyone else is doing, what’s popular or what is in high demand. But by simply asking “What if?” designers can challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and uncover new styles and maybe even set the next big design trend.
Spotify is a prime example of how asking “What if” can completely change the course of their product offering. Before “Spotify Wrapped”, there wasn’t a good way for anyone to reflect on their listening habits and interact with their listening data from the past year. Spotify was curious enough to ask “What if we took all the listener’s data over the course of the year, and presented it back to them with enticing visualizations and a palatable way to showcase their listening preferences, vibe and personality behind their music choices?” Now the initial “What if?”may not have been so defined or apparent, however, they were driven by curiosity and the appeal of finding a way for their users to further interact with their music and therefore with Spotify as a brand.
The power of “What if?” lies in its ability to inspire and provoke new ideas. It encourages designers to think outside the box and present things in ways that are different and refreshing. When designers ask “What if?”, they are more likely to experiment with new approaches and techniques, even if they are unconventional or untested. David Carson, a renowned graphic designer who revolutionized the field with his “grunge typography” style, asked the question of “What if I created something that evoked a feeling and broke all the traditional rules of graphic design?”. Without the natural curiosity and urge to be unique, who knows what graphic design would look like today.
"What if?"
can also be used as a tool for problem-solving. When faced with a design challenge, asking "What if?" can help designers identify new solutions and insights that might have been overlooked otherwise. With digital content at the forefront of design and social media becoming an integral part of a brand’s image, creative solutions to common problems set the foundation to differentiate yourself from the competition. A great example of this is Liquid Death. The packaged water industry is grossly oversaturated and a place that is insanely difficult to compete in. To differentiate themselves Liquid Death developed striking packaging and also a brand name that stood out from the competition. Now the immediate perception was that no one would buy it because people would assume that it isn’t a water brand. However, the packaging design and brand name was all that was needed to pique consumer’s curiosity and suddenly, they’ve blown up in a highly competitive space. All it took was one person asking “What if” and the whole trajectory of a brand was changed.
The importance of curiosity in design extends beyond the initial ideation phase. Curiosity plays a crucial role in every stage of the design process, from research and analysis to prototyping and testing. By remaining curious throughout the process, designers can continue to refine and improve their designs and create solutions that truly meet the needs of people.
Curiosity is also important in understanding the needs of the user. Designers who are curious about the people they are designing for are more likely to create solutions that are user-centric and actually attract the proper target audience. By understanding the needs, desires, and pain points of the user, designers can create designs that resonate with them and enhance their experiences.
To fuel design with curiosity, designers can adopt several strategies. One approach is to seek out diverse perspectives and experiences. By exposing themselves to different ideas and viewpoints, designers can gain new insights and inspiration for their designs. They can also learn from the experiences of others and draw inspiration from their creativity and ingenuity. As mentioned in my previous blog post, a life filled with different creative hobbies or surrounding yourself with things that you could possibly find inspiration in is key to unlocking new ideas.
Another way to cultivate curiosity in design is to ask questions and challenge assumptions. By asking questions, designers can uncover new information and insights that might have been overlooked otherwise. The examples above were all instances in which someone simply asked “What if” and as a result, the entire trajectory of the brand changed.
Finally, it is essential to remain open-minded and adaptable in design. Design is an iterative and collaborative process. Being able to bring fresh ideas and entertain multiple perspectives is extremely rewarding and valuable to the eventual end-consumer or user. It’s also not just valuable to the design process but for the brand or client themselves. Creative and curious thinking in the way that they present their brand can also change many other aspects within their business. Anyone that can spark collaboration and therefore innovation can be an exciting addition to any team.
In conclusion
curiosity is a crucial ingredient in design. By fueling design with curiosity, designers can create innovative and effective solutions that truly meet the needs of people. Asking "What if?" encourages designers to explore new possibilities, challenge assumptions, and experiment with new approaches and techniques. It also helps designers remain open-minded and adaptable, essential qualities for success in design. So, the next time you approach a design challenge, remember the power of curiosity and ask yourself, "What if?"
