Design. Good design is honest. Dieter Rams

I thought I’d share this from one of my favourite designers Dieter Rams.

Dieter Rams is an industrial designer who studied and worked as an architect initially, and known for his minimalist and clean approach for Braun consumer products. He remains an iconic figure in the design industry especially with his distilled approach on products. He best describes his approach as “less, but better”.

“Dieter Rams’ ability to bring form to a product so that it clearly, concisely and immediately communicates its meaning is remarkable… He remains utterly alone in producing a body of work so consistently beautiful, so right, and so accessible.” – Jonathan Ive, Apple chief design officer (CDO)

Good design is honest_ in his 10 principles for good design is my favourite, indicating that an honest design does not try to manipulate the consumer by promises they cannot keep. Also, an honest design does not make a product appear more innovative, powerful or valuable than it is.

Here are his 10 principles for good design:

1. Good design is innovative
2. Good design makes a product useful
3. Good design is aesthetic
4. Good design is makes a product understandable
5. Good design is unobtrusive
6. Good design is honest
7. Good design is long-lasting
8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail
9. Good design is environmentally friendly
10. Good design is as little design as possible

There is a film coming out soon titled ‘Rams’, about Dieter Rams by Gary Hutswits.
I am looking forward to it. It is worth also watching the documentary Objectified also by  Gary Hutwits which also features Dieter Rams, Jonathan Ive, and many more influential designers.

I will leave you with these words from Dieter Rams, a transcript from the ‘Rams’ trailer.

Design, Art/Creative direction, Post 
By Philip Abang