How can design teams effectively balance functionality with aesthetics in technology products?

Seems to be very hard to answer lemme know more on this.

It's a constant push and pull between form and function, right? Gotta make it look slick but still actually be usable. I find design systems help - establish a consistent UI language first, then get creative within those guardrails. Also, frequent user testing to validate aesthetics aren't getting in the way of core tasks. Anyone else have tips to share on striking that balance?

Keep your ears to the ground. Listen to the customer.

I do think this goes hand in hand. The problem I see in most products is a lack of communication on what the goals are. If the team is unified in a certain direction, the product will look and operate as a cohesive unit. If the design team and dev team are on two different pages, then the product will most definitely look and feel that way.