Design principles

June 10, 2025 — Yato

Ever notice how some things just work? Like that perfectly balanced coffee mug or the app that somehow knows exactly what you need?

That’s not magic, my friend. That’s good design quietly doing its brilliant thing.

Introducing… Dieter Rams, the man, the myth, the legend, the embodiment of good design. And here’s ten design wisdoms that he leaves behind for us

• Good design is innovative. Always pushing boundaries, never settling. Design that says, “What’s next?”
• Good design makes a product useful. Products are here to make life easier, not harder. If it doesn’t work well, is it really design?
• Good design is aesthetic. It’s gotta look good to feel good. Because ugly stuff just isn’t fun to use.
• Good design makes a product understandable. No instruction manual needed. It just gets you.
• Good design is unobtrusive. It blends in, letting you shine. Quietly brilliant, never stealing the show.
• Good design is honest. No fake promises, just real value. No hype, just good vibes (and good products).
• Good design is long-lasting. Timeless, not trendy. Built to last, not to make you cringe next year.
• Good design is thorough down to the last detail. Every tiny bit counts. Obsessive? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.
• Good design is environmentally friendly. Design that gives Mother Earth a high-five. Responsible and resourceful.
• Good design is as little design as possible. Less is more, always. The art of elegant subtraction. (This one’s my personal favorite, if you couldn’t tell!)