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SwissXDesign · Mar 28, 2003, 06:42 AM

Hi everyone! I'm doing a survey on the reactions of different people in different areas of web/print/software development in terms of their value on design as a general marketing tool (i.e. how much does a good or service require form as well as function?).

Please give me a simple answer from the choices above, and I would greatly appreciate any additional comments you may have regarding this.

Thank you very much,

Mark H

- student at Victoria University,
Wellington, NZ

ShotgunEd · Mar 28, 2003, 06:51 AM

Today, when there a lot of companies making similar products with the same function, form is very important when deciding what product to choose. I was just looking at the iPod transmitter thread in one of the fora here and I was amazed at the how sleek the transmitter looked. However it only took a few posts for this to be debunked with reports that FM transmitters don't work particulary well. Its in this case that although the design is there, the implementation of function has been neglected.

Basically its a toss up, but i find form and design quite important.

godzookie2k · Mar 28, 2003, 07:01 AM

Of course its a very important marketing tool, if it wasn't the advertising industry wouldn't exist, and companies wouldn't put forth their hardest effort at making a kick ass superbowl commercial.

But the real question is, what does this have to do with GUI Customization and not Art and Design?

SwissXDesign · Mar 28, 2003, 07:14 AM

This has to do with GUI because I am researching different people from different areas of the sector. This exact poll is also in the web developer and software developer forums here and the comparison is what interests me.

I'd like to get your opinions as interface designers (you provide the service/good of an attractive looking computer interface), but in this case I'm more interested in your comments because you obviously find design a very important thing.

Thanks for your replies and comments...

MH

Dace · Mar 28, 2003, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by godzookie2k:
Of course its a very important marketing tool, if it wasn't the advertising industry wouldn't exist, and companies wouldn't put forth their hardest effort at making a kick ass superbowl commercial.

So TV follows what's in? Or does TV define what's in?

Advertising has always existed in one form or another...it's only now that we place such a high importance to design and sex. Advertising's only purpose is to make people aware of something, that's it..that's all.

swiz · Mar 28, 2003, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by Dace:
Advertising's only purpose is to make people aware of something, that's it..that's all.

EHHHH! Incorrect. Advertisings sole purpose is to sell.

Dace · Mar 28, 2003, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by swiz:
EHHHH! Incorrect. Advertisings sole purpose is to sell.

Really? Is that so... so if Red Cross makes advertisements for you to donate blood, they're trying to sell something to you? If your local city makes advertisements about a new public library...they're trying to sell something also? Advertising is making you aware of something, that's the purpose; it might be trying to sell you something as well, but that's the goal not the purpose.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

"Main Entry: ad�ver�tis�ing
Function: noun
Date: 1762
1 : the action of calling something to the attention of the public especially by paid announcements
2 : ADVERTISEMENTS <the magazine contains much advertising>
3 : the business of preparing advertisements for publication or broadcast"

So who is in the wrong swiz?

swiz · 11:05 AM

According to my dictionary as well as four years attending CCS College of art and design:

ad�ver�tise __
(_P_)__Pronunciation Key__(dvr-tz)
v. ad�ver�tised, ad�ver�tis�ing, ad�ver�tis�es
v. tr.

To make public announcement of, especially to proclaim the qualities or advantages of (a product or business) so as to increase sales.

Believe me notification of said product or service (library/Red Cross) just coincides with the aquisition of funds. These people who you assume are just trying to garnish interest are certainly attaining MORE funds due to this advertising which without the advertising would be far less. I know you cant be as naive as you are making yourself sound.

... so if Red Cross makes advertisements for you to donate blood, they're trying to sell something to you? If your local city makes advertisements about a new public library...they're trying to sell something also?

How in the world do you think these "non-profit" organizations stay afloat? They dont just get blank checks, they have to advertise their services to receive funding. So yes they are doing it for money. Come on now, is this really even debateable?

Dace · Mar 28, 2003, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by swiz:
Believe me notification of said product or service (library/Red Cross) just coincides with the aquisition of funds. These people who you assume are just trying to garnish interest are certainly attaining MORE funds due to this advertising which without the advertising would be far less. I know you cant be as naive as you are making yourself sound.

How in the world do you think these "non-profit" organizations stay afloat? They dont just get blank checks, they have to advertise their services to receive funding. So yes they are doing it for money. Come on now, is this really even debateable?

I stand by my statement. Advertising brings attention to a product or service, and therefore increases sales. Even your definition states it "To make public announcement of" ...the selling part is aside.Maybe it's simplistic but not naive. Think of it this way: just because you advertised a product doesn't mean you're instantly making sales ... you eventually make sales because you made the public aware of your product through advertisement. Even something as simple as a sign telling you where the washrooms are is advertising.

swiz · Mar 28, 2003, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by Dace:
I stand by my statement. Advertising brings attention to a product or service, and therefore increases sales. Even your definition states it "To make public announcement of" ...the selling part is aside.Maybe it's simplistic but not naive. Think of it this way: just because you advertised a product doesn't mean you're instantly making sales ... you eventually make sales because you made the public aware of your product through advertisement. Even something as simple as a sign telling you where the washrooms are is advertising.

Okay, I can buy most of that(no pun intended) but I think you have it twisted a bit; advertising does bring attention to a product or service for the SOLE purpose of sales. It may or may not ACTUALLY generate sales, but SALES are the point of the advertising- otherwise, why would anyone fork out money to advertise if that money and then some weren't going to ultimately end up back in their pocket?

Dace · Mar 28, 2003, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by swiz:
Okay, I can buy most of that(no pun intended) but I think you have it twisted a bit; advertising does bring attention to a product or service for the SOLE purpose of sales. It may or may not ACTUALLY generate sales, but SALES are the point of the advertising- otherwise, why would anyone fork out money to advertise if that money and then some weren't going to ultimately end up back in their pocket?

Well I'm glad I'm getting through...but I think you're still confusing "commercial advertising" with advertising. If I lost my cat, I would advertise that I'm looking for my cat by puting up signs on posts or bulletin boards...(not including the price of paper and ink) I didn't pay anything for this advertising...and my purpose is to get my cat back, not make money. See what I mean?

SwarmyCurve · Mar 28, 2003, 03:39 PM

Of course design is an important tool!

... and advertising is a tool used to get people to show support for a product or sevice through monetary exchange. However, it can be used in such a way that it just brings attention to something, like a cause for example.

So you are both right.... right?

foobars · Mar 28, 2003, 03:53 PM

There have been times in Apples life when design was really all it had going for it... so yes I would say it is very important.

swiz · Mar 28, 2003, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by Dace:
Well I'm glad I'm getting through...but I think you're still confusing "commercial advertising" with advertising. If I lost my cat, I would advertise that I'm looking for my cat by puting up signs on posts or bulletin boards...(not including the price of paper and ink) I didn't pay anything for this advertising...and my purpose is to get my cat back, not make money. See what I mean?

I can dig that.