Saturday, August 07, 2010

About design

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.
           -- Steve Jobs

I've been trying to cut down on the Apple-related posts, but clearly it's a battle I'm losing. Oh well. C'est la guerre. 

I feel this is an important idea. Design is not just cosmetic. Design work, or at least good design work, goes right to the core of the object. If a designer is not working together with the engineers, he just can't do a good job.

3 comments:

TC [Girl] said...

OK and I will have to say the reverse on that is true, as well! It's almost as though there is some unspoken "agreement" amongst engineers that they have to keep everyone "confused until they discover it, for themselves" on a design for "job security" reasons!! Criminey! I have always said that SO MUCH CRAP could be cut down on, IF the engineers would get off of their "high horses" and go and meet the end-users and try to find out exacty "what" and "how" they will be using the product!!!! There often seems to be *such* a "disconnect" between R&D and...'The REAL World'!! Constructive communication has to be part of the solution!!

Tommy said...

TC, Love it!!!

I remember the old solution for that bright flashing display on VCRs, that no one could program.. Put black electrical tape over it - problem solved..

Robb in Houston said...

No, design is purely how the product looks and how it attracts a customer or client.

The other aspect to consider is function. The product has to look good, but it also has to function and serve a purpose.

That's the problem with engineers writing user manuals - the engineers speak in blah-blah while the end users want it in clear English.