I came across this excellent and short Fast Company article regarding the value designers can bring VC’s.
This got me thinking.
One of the greatest values that designers can bring Venture Capitalists is their ability to make the “unreal” into something “real”.
Many of the projects I’ve been grabbed for, especially the exciting ones, are from business people who have an idea. They have essentially what could be described as a business idea and funding, and my job as the brand guy is to make it as real and compelling for their customers, enough to join, buy their product, hire them, visit their restaurant, etc. In the case of a product driven business, that product will do better by seeming real sooner than later, in the case of a service credibility will be the only thing that will attract early adopters without sacrificing on price.
Now the amazing value that a designer has for a venture capitalist is that most good designers are able to see the physical side of what many business people write in their business plan or powerpoint deck. But in reality, when a startup is in its early days credibility is the single most important element. You may not have customers, or a product that’s even available yet. A good designer can help make this challenge go away by bringing that product or service as close to the sense of “real” as you’re going to get.
For example, prototyping a product so that it looks and feels fully functional, instead of presented in powerpoint is one clear way to handle this issue. This moves you from describing something to letting them use it, rapid prototyping is where it’s at. A good designer can do this with a product and a brand.
Developing a brand platform that’s integrated, so your business cards lead you to a website which leads you to follow a blog, which engages you in a product, this is all created by a good designer with a solid strategy.
I had an idea on a hike with a friend of mine the other day, how about an advertising or brand agency with a VC as a CEO. Who better to advise on start-up businesses than an expert on ones that fail and succeed?