Digital Product Redesign: Essential Insights

Why should a product be redesign? Does redesigning a product mean only a visual refresh or a complete structural change? What key indicators show that your company requires one?

Source : Google Images

Design Refresh or Product Redesign?

A design refresh and a product redesign are two different approaches to updating a product’s appearance and functionality. Let’s take a closer look at each concept:

Design Refresh: A design refresh involves making minor updates to the aesthetics and user interface of a product without significantly altering its core features or functionality. The purpose of a design refresh is to give the product a more modern or updated look, aligning it with current design trends or brand guidelines.

Examples of design refresh elements include updating color schemes, typography, icons, and graphics.

Product Redesign: On the other hand, a product redesign involves more significant changes to a product’s functionality, features, and sometimes even its underlying technology. A product redesign aims to address flaws, improve performance, enhance usability, or adapt to evolving market trends or customer demands. It may involve reengineering certain components, adding new features, removing outdated elements, or even changing the overall purpose of the product.

Which is Better?

It entirely depends on your current market position, resources available, company goals, and further development plan. Design refreshes are commonly used when a product still performs well and meets user needs effectively but requires an updated visual identity.

Product redesigns typically require a deeper analysis of user feedback, market research, and competitive analysis to identify areas for improvement.

Compared to a design refresh, a product redesign often involves more extensive development efforts, including prototyping, testing, and potentially modifying the manufacturing process. It may also require additional investment and a longer timeline to implement the changes effectively.

Key Drivers for Product Redesign

It’s important to note that these drivers are not mutually exclusive, and multiple factors often contribute to the decision to redesign a product. Each company’s situation will be unique, and the specific drivers for product redesign will vary based on their industry, target market, and strategic objectives.

1. Based on customer feedback and market research — By gathering insights from their target audience, companies can identify areas where their product may be lacking or where improvements can be made to better meet customer needs and preferences.
2. Technological advancements — As new technologies emerge, companies may need to update their products to incorporate these advancements and stay competitive in the market.
3. If there are changes in industry regulations or standards that affect the design, safety, or compliance requirements of a product.
4. To reduce manufacturing or operational costs.
5. When facing strong competition.
6. When need to enhance a company’s brand image or reposition itself in the market.
7. When products reach the end of their lifecycle or experience declining sales.
8. There are plans to expand into new markets.
9. The system is outdated and needs a more modern and useful look and interface.

When Should You Consider a Redesign?

Ultimately, the decision to undertake a redesign should be based on a careful analysis of various factors, including user feedback, business goals, performance metrics, technological advancements, and competitive landscape. It is crucial to strike a balance between keeping your design up-to-date and maintaining continuity for your existing users or customers.

There are several situations in which you might consider a redesign for a product, website, or any other digital design project. Here are some common scenarios:

1. If your design looks old-fashioned or no longer aligns with current design trends, it might be time for a redesign.
2. If users are having difficulty in navigating or interacting.
3. Changing business goals or target audience: If your business has evolved, expanded, or shifted its focus.
4. If you notice declining conversion rates, high bounce rates, or other negative performance metrics.
5. If new technologies, frameworks, or platforms emerge that could enhance the performance, functionality, or user experience of your product.
6. If your competitors have recently updated their designs and are offering a more appealing user experience.
7. If your brand identity, values, or messaging have changed significantly.
8. If you receive consistent feedback from users or stakeholders indicating dissatisfaction or specific areas for improvement.

Choosing the Right Designers for a Redesign

Choosing the right designers for a redesign depends on several factors, including your specific requirements, the scope of the project, and your budget. Here are some tips you can follow to help you choose the right designer:

1. Before starting your search for a designer, clearly define your goals and objectives for the redesign.
2. Consider how much you are willing to invest in the redesign. Different designers have varying rates, and the cost may also depend on the complexity and scale of the project.
3. Look for examples of designs that resonate with your vision. Browse websites, portfolios, and design showcases to gather inspiration and identify designers whose style aligns with your preferences
4. Ask for recommendations.

Closing Words

As you embark on your redesign journey, always keep in mind the reasons why you’re doing it. Redesigns should be approached responsibly. When done right, it will make your users happier and more loyal, but when done wrong, things can go out pretty quickly. This process demands a lot of focus and research; otherwise, it can harm your business.