The Power of Narrative: How a Story Can Elevate Even the Coolest Design

Abang Edwin Syarif Agustin
6 min readOct 12, 2024
Photo by Girl with red hat on Unsplash

I once heard someone say, “A great design speaks for itself.” In some ways, that might be true — a product that is aesthetically pleasing, functional, and innovative can certainly grab attention. But is that really enough? The truth is, there are countless beautifully designed products out there that fail to stand out in a crowded market. It turns out, great design alone doesn’t always guarantee success. What a product needs is narrative — a story that can stir emotions, spark interest, and connect the product to the lives of its users.

Imagine this scenario: you’re looking at two products that are equally appealing in terms of design. One is described purely in technical terms, while the other comes with a story that makes you feel like this product will change how you go about your day. Which one are you more likely to choose? For most of us, it’s the product with the story, because we connect with stories — not just data.

Let’s dive into some examples of how narrative has the power to transform a product from something with an impressive design into something truly memorable.

A Coffee Cup That Told a Story: KeepCup

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Abang Edwin Syarif Agustin
Abang Edwin Syarif Agustin

Written by Abang Edwin Syarif Agustin

Observer, Content Creator, Blogger (Obviously), Ghostwriter, Design Thinker, Trainer and also Lecturer for Product Design Dept at Podomoro University

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