Creativity Has No Industry
Why Design Shouldn’t Be Boxed by Sector
Design That Thinks Beyond Boundaries. Because Ideas Don’t Belong to Just One Industry.
You wouldn’t ask an artist, “Have you painted an engineer before?” You wouldn’t ask an architect, “Do you design only homes or just hospitals?” You wouldn’t ask a doctor, “Do you treat only fever, cold, and cough?”
So why ask a brand consultant, “Have you designed for my industry?”
As a brand consultant with decades of experience, I’ve realised this question reflects a mindset that boxes creativity into categories. But great design doesn’t come from sector experience. It comes from audience insight, clarity of message, and the courage to think differently.
Let’s break this down.
What Clients Often Ask
(And Why It’s Limiting)
Every business needs design, be it a brochure, packaging, advertisements, or branding materials. But the real question is:
“Have you worked with an education company before?”
“Can you show samples in the engineering sector?”
“Have you designed for FMCG or industrial products?”
These questions aren’t wrong. But they often miss the point.
Creativity isn’t about repetition. It’s about reinterpretation.
Would you ask a carpenter, “You made a table can you also make a chair?” Of course. Because the craft lies in understanding structure, purpose, and usability, not the label.
Examples That Prove the Point
Volkswagen's "Think Small"
campaign didn’t speak the language of cars. It spoke the language of counter-culture.
Thanda Thanda, Cool Cool
Fevicol ads never
discuss chemical bonds. They tell stories.
Amul's topicals
don’t shout “buy milk” they reflect culture, politics, and humour.
Design Is Not a Department.
It’s a Way of Thinking.
You don’t hire a designer to fill a page. You hire them to shape perception.
The tools may be Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma—but the real power lies in how a designer thinks.
What is your audience feeling?
What story do you want to tell?
What memory should your brand leave behind?
This mindset doesn’t belong to one sector. It works across industries.
Analogy Section Explaining Without Lecturing
- Artist Analogy: You never ask an artist, “Have you painted a doctor before?” You see the art, not the subject’s profession.
- Architect Analogy: An architect designs homes, offices, and factories. Why? Because they understand space and function.
- Doctor Analogy: You don’t ask a doctor, “Do you only treat fever or also cold and cough?” They understand the human body, not just a symptom.
- Sector Swaps Analogy: Whether it’s an education brand, an engineering firm, or a manufacturing unit, the core of design is audience connection, not industry familiarity.
These analogies explain without lecturing. They help the client understand that industry-specific experience is overrated when you hire someone with clarity and creativity.
What You Actually Need from a Designer (Hint: Not Industry Samples)
What you need is:
- Someone who understands how to simplify complex ideas.
- A designer who can see your product through the eyes of your customer.
- A storyteller who can take your offering and wrap it in relevance.
- A consultant who asks the right questions, not one who shows you 50 similar logos.
Because your brand doesn’t need a copy. It needs a concept.
What Happens When You Hire Just a Designer (and Not a Thinker)?
- You get predictable layouts.
- You get industry-safe colours.
- You get visuals that follow trends—but don’t set any.
In short, you get “just design” — not branding.
Branding starts where design stops. It’s not about how it looks. It’s about how it connects.
Still Want to See Industry Samples? Read This First.
If you’re still unsure, ask yourself:
- Do you want your brand to look like everyone else in your sector?
- Or do you want to stand out?
Most industry samples will show you what’s already been done. As a consultant, I help you find what hasn’t been done yet.
Conclusion: Think Bigger Than Your Sector
Your industry is just a platform. Your brand is the performance.
Creativity doesn’t belong to any one sector. It belongs to those who are willing to see things differently.
So the next time someone asks, “Have you designed for our industry before?” Here’s your answer: “No. But I’ve designed ideas that work.“
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