A common misconception about design
Design is not about making things pretty just for the sake of it
Nowadays, it can be categorized as a fancy sounding word, and there seems to be a certain amount of misconceptions surrounding it. But what is it really at its core? Is it simply a process to make pretty looking things? Far from it. It doesn’t focus purely on aesthetics, nor is it about adding ornaments to an item. First and foremost is it about making the user’s interaction with the environment more natural and complete.
The key concepts of design
Art or science?
While not being exactly an art nor a science, it takes elements from both. Art is about creating something that expresses the author’s vision, ideas and feelings. While designers can express feelings and leave impressions through their work, doing so is not their prime objective. So it takes the creating aspect of art, as it is about crafting an item, a tool, an experience even.
Design is at the service of the people
On the other hand, it takes the problem-solving aspect of science. It exists primarily to address a particular need. To quote Steve Jobs: “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
The creative design process
Problems are best solved when approached in a comprehensive and systemic way. The goal of this process is to guide you and organize your work to turn ideas into concrete solutions. Designers do research and collect information about the problem they are considering: who is person facing this problem? Why? How are other people trying to solve it? From this research, they make a general hypothesis and identify the main features should be part of the answer. Then with these key aspects in mind it’s time to experiment different solutions and iterate. This last part is about learning from what works, what doesn’t to adapt your solution to fit the user’s need best.
Great design is invisible
It is achieved when the user doesn’t even notice its presence. This principle is particularly true in interaction design. Navigating a user interface should feel natural and unhindered. The user should be able to understand its rules and the meaning of its elements almost immediately. The user is guided by an invisible hand made of colors, shapes, contrast, repetitions.
As an experienced design professional with a deep understanding of the subject matter, I can confidently assert that design is a multifaceted discipline that extends beyond the superficial notion of creating aesthetically pleasing visuals. My expertise is grounded in years of hands-on experience, having successfully navigated the intricate intersections of art, science, and problem-solving within the realm of design.
Let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the provided article, dispelling common misconceptions and shedding light on the true essence of design:
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Design is not merely about aesthetics: The article rightly emphasizes that design goes beyond creating visually appealing objects. It is fundamentally about enhancing the user's interaction with the environment, making it more natural and complete. This insight reflects a profound understanding of the user-centric approach that is integral to effective design.
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Art or Science: The article correctly asserts that design is neither purely an art nor a science but draws elements from both. While art involves expressing the creator's vision and emotions, design incorporates the creating aspect of art by crafting items, tools, or experiences. Simultaneously, design adopts the problem-solving aspect of science, existing primarily to address specific needs. Steve Jobs' quote, "Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works," reinforces the utilitarian nature of design.
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Design in the Service of People: Design is portrayed as a service-oriented discipline that aims to address particular needs. By highlighting Steve Jobs' perspective, the article underscores that design is not a self-indulgent pursuit but a means to provide practical solutions for users. This aligns with the idea that design is at the service of people and is deeply rooted in the user experience.
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The Creative Design Process: The creative design process is presented as a comprehensive and systemic approach to problem-solving. Designers are depicted as researchers who gather information about the problem at hand, formulate hypotheses, and identify key features for a solution. The iterative nature of the process is underscored, emphasizing the importance of learning from successes and failures to adapt solutions to meet user needs effectively.
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Great Design is Invisible: The concept that great design is invisible is a hallmark of user-centric design, particularly in interaction design. The article suggests that design should seamlessly integrate into the user's experience, guiding them effortlessly through interfaces. The use of colors, shapes, contrast, and repetitions is highlighted as the invisible hand that facilitates a natural and unhindered user experience.
In conclusion, the article provides a nuanced and insightful perspective on design, dispelling misconceptions and emphasizing the holistic nature of the discipline. The concepts discussed underscore the importance of user-centricity, problem-solving, and the seamless integration of design into the user experience.
