Can INDUSTRIAL DESIGN be too good for the mass market?

Some products don’t just solve problems, they seduce.

Think Makers Cabinet. Grovemade. Craighill. Work Louder.

Brands that obsess over materials, proportions, and rituals.

Objects designed to be cherished, not disposed of.

Mass market adoption is often treated as the obvious goal.

Scale. Growth. Ubiquity. That’s how we’re expected to define success.

But not necessarily the goal of every brand.

Some aim for longevity over volume. Connection over convenience.

So, for the industrial designers out there.

How do you balance long-term success with short-term gains?

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Is it refreshing or just delusional when a product isn’t chasing mass appeal?

What are some good lessons to be learned from taking this approach?