What role does storytelling play in design?

Storytelling plays a vital role in design by enhancing emotional connections to products. When designers incorporate storytelling into their work, they create narratives that resonate with users on a deeper level. This emotional engagement can influence how users perceive a product, leading to stronger brand loyalty and a more meaningful user experience.

A well-crafted story can highlight the values, journey, and vision behind a product, helping consumers feel more connected to it. This connection often goes beyond the product's features and functions, tapping into users' personal experiences, aspirations, and desires.

In contrast, the other options suggest negative or limited views on the role of storytelling. Complication of the design process, irrelevance to marketing, and being used solely for advertising diminish the multifaceted and impactful nature of storytelling in design. By focusing on emotional connections, storytelling becomes a powerful tool in the designer's arsenal, enabling not just product differentiation, but also fostering community and empathy among users.