Good Design

I've been thinking about good design for the past few months. Apple always seems like the best example of good design because of the simplicity, ease of use and rugged product designs.

I came across this article today about Dieter Rams, a product designer that has influenced many, including Apple.

Here are 10 principles of good design attributed to him:

• Good design is innovative.

  
• Good design makes a product useful.

  
• Good design is aesthetic.

  
• Good design helps us to understand a product.

  
• Good design is unobtrusive.

  
• Good design is honest.

  
• Good design is durable.

  
• Good design is consequent to the last detail.

  
• Good design is concerned with the environment.

  
• Good design is as little design as possible.
  

Good Design

I respect good design. Or maybe I should say that I love good design. Trained as an engineer I have always appreciated the extra effort that has been put into certain objects, products, services, etc. There is something about the well designed computer or cell phone or chair, that just seems to captivate me. It is a form of art that everyone can appreciate.

I just recently watched the movie Objectified by Gary Hustwit. The movie explores the concept of design and what it means. In one interview a designer in Europe comments that the one company in the world that takes design seriously right now is Apple. I agree with that. Their products exhibit a quality of design that far surpasses many others.

It has me thinking about good design in websites. What does a well designed web site look like? How can I make my websites function and work on a higher level? It is a fun thing to think about and has my head filled with new ideas and approaches. I hope to be able to put some of it to the test soon.

Trends & Ideas

After a Google search I came across this great site that lists some of the web design trends that they noticed in 2008. It is a great site to get ideas and/or insiparation for any kind of design. There are some neat things going on and some uber creative people out there. Check it out: http://www.webdesignerwall.com/trends/2008-design-trends/