Where we come from, design means much more than pushing pixels. It’s the ultimate driver behind streamlined workflows, user-friendly interfaces and attractive digital marketing. It should come as no surprise then, that design in its many forms is where most of the revenue comes in. Digital tools are only as good as their interfaces, and 21st century companies are only as good as their digital tools. Strategic long-term investment in design can double companies' profitability and so we’re left to wonder why so many firms are standing in the way of their own success.

Great art direction needs some serious UX/UI design and prototyping to make a real impact. Where most companies have already accepted that good user experience is a necessary precondition for successful digital marketing, not many of them understand what it actually entails. Great design can only be achieved through an iterative process, where good-looking elements are tested for good usability, and the results of these tests are used for making the interface even better. This process is where most of the value is added, and thus where most of the efforts should be directed.

FAST FACTS:

1. For developers and manufacturers, the advantages of creating usable products far outweigh the costs. The rule of thumb: Every dollar invested in ease of use returns 10 to 100 dollars. (2)
2. A recent study suggests that companies that invest in continuous design are up to 52% more profitable than their peers. (1)
3. For every dollar spent to resolve a problem during product design, 10 dollars would have to be spent on the same problem in the development phase and 100 dollars or more if the problem had to be solved after the product’s release. (2)

Take a moment to think about your favorite mobile applications. Our long list includes the likes of Airbnb, Instagram and WhatsApp. We dare to suggest that none of these apps would have achieved commercial success without their easy-to-use interfaces and attractive layouts. And the same goes for anything digital: although our marketing asset creation and automation tool Drafthorse is technically superior to many of its rivals, we know for a fact that its popularity among different user groups is directly contingent upon its intuitive design and attractive UI. 

Far too often we consider beautiful UI as an optional add-on when it really is a substantial competitive advantage. Even more often, we hear complaints about how expensive design can be. However, we firmly believe that the benefits of hiring an agency that truly understands your customers' needs far outweighs the costs. And should you ever have any problems with finding the right partner to help you with this crucial task, we're always happy to help.