Lab+3


 * Lab 3:**
 * Tutorial #4-January 27, 2011**

Choose one and discuss a real-world example that demonstrates it. (Design, Story, Meaning, Symphony, etc.)

DESIGN

Design is a very important concept when it comes to creating a successful product for businesses. According to John Heskett, “design, stripped to its essence, can be defined as the human nature to shape and make our environment in ways without precedent in nature, to serve our needs and give meaning to our lives” (Pink 69). Using this stream of thought companies are able to tap into consumers’ needs and wants as they understand that design is essentially “a combination of utility and significance” (Pink 70). Keeping with this idea, many products we see today present this new aptitude as it ensures product sales and consumer approval.

We can see designs taking over the commercial sphere as a majority, if not all, products are marketed in a sense to sell the product’s significance more than its utility. To give a better sense of what companies are actually doing would be through the example of shoes. To be more specific take Nike Air Max, shoes for men that are enthralled by sports. Essentially shoes are just meant to be protection for your feet, but as years have gone by, show manufacturers are coming up with different ways to sell different types of shoes by using various designs to their advantage. Now shoes are manufactured for different occasions, such as; parties, various sports, everyday wear, work wear, school wear, fashion event, etc. Nike Air Max in particular has different models that each come in different colours and designs, with an expensive price tag to match it. Nike Air Max LeBron 8, the newest line of shoes inspired by LeBron James, comes in three distinct styles for about $160 dollars. This idea itself will not only grab the attention of consumers who like this particular style, but more so will capture sales by fans of LeBron.

This idea proves to be a success as companies tap into consumers’ need. Although the shoes provide the same function as another pair of running or sport shoes from Wal-Mart may fulfill, the design and uniqueness of the shoes are what sells the product and displays the importance of design.

**Works Cited** Pink, Daniel H. //A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future//. New York: Riverhead, 2006. Print.