From Competition to Hearts: Captivating the Jury with Design Stories

 Everyone says a good design can speak for itself, but I believe that's only half true.

Often, you might need to provide additional explanations, clarifying your design's purpose or your target audience to the judges, to make a stronger impression of your work.

Today, I'm going to reveal the real secret weapon behind those designs that stand out in competitions. It's not just innovation or the use of technology, but an often overlooked element: THE STORY.

Behind every stunning design, you usually find a perfectly matched story.

A perfect story can win the judges' favor and connect your product directly with users, making it sell better.

First, reflect on how your design came to be. Was there a moment when a lightbulb went off in your head? An "Aha!" moment where everything just seemed to click, perhaps sparked by a person, a place, or a sudden burst of inspiration? That's the beginning of your story of inspiration.

Next, think about how you turned that spark of an idea into reality. It's like embarking on an adventure, where you're bound to face numerous challenges and obstacles. How did you overcome these difficulties step by step, and what did it take to finally realize your design? This journey is your design adventure story.

Lastly, consider the change your design brings to the world or to a specific group of people. Does it bring joy, warmth, or a spark of brilliance? This is crucial because it transforms your design from just an object into something filled with emotion, capable of touching others' hearts.

After completing these three steps, you're likely to have a compelling story. But I have one more important piece of advice: share your story with those around you, whether through social media or in conversations with friends. Listen to their feedback; it will help you and your work to further improve.

It's that simple!

A good story can do more than help you win a design competition; documenting your design story is also a powerful tool in marketing. I've taken these three steps and, with real-life examples, turned them into a table for you:

SAMPLE:

Background:

Globally, millions of preterm and low-birth-weight infants are born each year, especially in resource-limited developing countries. These infants, lacking adequate ability to maintain body temperature, are highly susceptible to hypothermia, posing a serious threat to their survival. In these regions, traditional incubators, being expensive and reliant on electricity, are hard to come by.

Story Development:

The Embrace team, including a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, witnessed the severity of this issue firsthand during a trip to Nepal. Deeply moved by the plight of these vulnerable lives, they decided to design an economical yet effective solution.

Solution:

They created the Embrace Infant Warmer, a portable, low-cost, non-electric infant warming device. This device uses a phase-change material that can be heated and then maintain a constant temperature for several hours, providing a stable and comfortable warmth for infants. Its design is simple yet incredibly effective, making it easy to use in areas with limited medical facilities.

Impact:

Since its introduction, the Embrace Infant Warmer has saved tens of thousands of infants' lives across multiple countries worldwide. This project not only showcases the power of design but more importantly, its story tells a profound journey of compassion, innovation, and facing challenges head-on.

Conclusion:

The story of the Embrace Infant Warmer demonstrates how deep humanitarian concern and innovative design thinking can address urgent problems in the real world. This story not only raises awareness of global neonatal health issues but also inspires more designers and entrepreneurs to engage in socially innovative design.

Through this example, we see how a good story can add profound emotion and powerful impact to a design, transforming it from merely a product into a story that touches hearts and changes the world.

Product Story Framework Template

1. Background (Starting Point) - Problem Definition:

What problem is this design intended to solve? (Example: "In areas far from hospitals, keeping newborns warm is a major issue.")

1. Inspiration Source (Conflict) - Inspiration Story:

What inspired this design? Was there a specific event or observation that sparked your idea? (Example: "Witnessing families in remote villages helpless due to the lack of incubator facilities during a visit.")

1. Design Process (Exploration) - Solution Exploration:

What challenges did you encounter during the design process? How did you overcome these challenges? (Example: "Designing a cheap, portable, and non-electric warming device.")

1. Outcome (Resolution) - Impact and Achievements:

How did this design ultimately solve the problem? What positive impacts has it brought? (Example: "The Embrace Infant Warmer has saved tens of thousands of newborns worldwide.")

1. Future Prospects (Conclusion) - Next Steps:

What is the future of this design? What problems remain to be solved, or what potential improvements could be made? (Example: "Our goal is to make this warming device affordable and accessible to every family in need.")

By using this framework, you can systematically think through and organize your design story, from the background problem to the inspiration for the design, through the exploration and implementation of the solution, to the impacts and future prospects. This helps judges or the audience better understand your design process and enables you to tell a complete and compelling story when presenting your design to judges or an audience.

Finally, wishing you success in winning awards and achieving great sales for your product!