Dieter Rams (born 20 May 1932) is a German industrial designer who asks the important question... "Is my design good design"? Rams was concerned by the state of the world around him and realised that as a designer, he was contributing to the "confusion of forms, colours and noises".
 |
| http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/who-is-dieter-rams/ |
"As good design cannot be measured in a finite way he set about expressing the 10 most important principles for what he considered was good design" (Vitsoe, 2010).
RAMS' 10 PRINCIPLES OF GOOD DESIGN
Good design...
...is innovative
Innovation can never be exhausted due to technological advancements!
...makes a product useful
We do not purchase products that we do not need, so a product needs to serve a purpose and fulfil a need for the consumer purchase to occur.
...is aesthetic
Beauty is a by-product of usefulness as its aesthetic quality can have a lasting effect on people.
...makes a product understandable
If something is misunderstood, then it cannot be appreciated.
...is unobtrusive
A product and its design should allow for self-expression by the end-user, they should be able to make it part of them not forced to try and fit in with the product.
...is honest
Honest design does not falsify a product by making promises that the end product cannot keep. With today's technological world, a brand that is dishonest will be instantly exposed and the repercussions are lethal!
...is long-lasting
Many designs are trendy and are therefore dated. Good design shies away from such trends. Designers should write their own trends as apposed to being just another follower!
...is thorough down to the last detail
Nothing should be left to chance as one should admire the aspect of intelligent consumers. People are not stupid and are therefore quick to pick up on even the smallest mistakes!
...is environmentally friendly
Good design should adhere to conservation at all times. What we leave behind is almost more important than what we take!
...is as little designed as possible
We all know the infamous phrase "less is more", but Rams suggests "less, but better" should function within good design. He believes that we should consider simplicity and essential purity!
In conclusion I'll leave you with a quote to think about...
“As designers we have a great responsibility. I believe
designers should eliminate the unnecessary. That means eliminating
everything that is modish because this kind of thing is only
short-lived.” Dieter Rams – interview with Icon Magazine
