The Principles of Good Design

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Design Weekly · by Dieter Rams

Added January 15, 2025

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Why This Resonates

This article perfectly articulates the timeless principles of good design. Dieter Rams' 10 principles have guided my approach to both product design and engineering.

Key Takeaways

  1. Good design is innovative - It doesn't copy existing patterns but creates new ones
  2. Good design makes a product useful - Form follows function
  3. Good design is aesthetic - Beauty and functionality go hand in hand

The principle that resonates most with me is "Good design is as little design as possible." In product development, I've found that the best solutions are often the simplest ones.

"Less, but better - because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials."

This applies not just to visual design but to code architecture, user flows, and product features. Simplicity requires discipline and deep understanding of the problem space.