What comes to mind when you think of good design? Is it something you've seen or used?
Maybe it's a device, like your phone or a vacuum cleaner, that looks and feels just perfect. Or perhaps it's an app or a website that impressed you. Good design isn't limited to functionality—it could also be a beautiful sculpture or a stunning painting.
The essence of good design is vague and difficult to describe. You can't always pinpoint it, but you can definitely feel it.
Picture this: You’re about to embark on a journey to create amazing design. But what does "good design" even mean, and how do you get there?
🤝Accept
Accept that no one truly knows what 'good' is.
Great design is only validated when it reaches the end user. It's a living experience. If it’s a gadget, you only truly understand it once you’ve used it. If it’s a painting, its essence is revealed only when you see the final masterpiece.
So, when you dive into any design project, remember this is just the start. There’s no all-knowing design guru with the perfect blueprint.
Does that mean you can just do anything and call it a day? Not quite. While the final result is a mystery, you can still gain clarity and direction by viewing your task through different lenses. This will guide you to design with purpose and creativity.
🧠Understand
If you look at design in the form of a solution, then it could guide you better. Any product feels like a good design when it solves the problem.
The problem can be anything, but as long as the design solves it successfully, it is a success.
Great design equals a great solution!
In order to design well, you need to first have an idea of the problem. As long as you can frame your objective in form of a problem that you’re solving, you’ll be approaching a good design.
Solving a problem may not mean that you are guaranteed a good design, but it definitely means that you are on the right track.
Imagine—Somebody wanted a space for young players to hang out and play an action game in a colorful, social environment. Inspired by the success of another game, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), they saw a chance to improve the battle royale genre by targeting this audience that craves social interaction more than intense competition.
The solution likely led to the creation of Fortnite.
Reflecting on the example above:
Q: What is crucial when seeking a solution?
A: Identifying the 'problem' in the first place.
🔍Find Problems
So, you're contemplating creating a new game? Why?
Are you considering altering a specific feature in your product? Why?
Do you aim to introduce a new feature to an existing product? Why?
Understanding the 'WHY' behind your objectives is the crucial first step.
Once you grasp the rationale behind your goals, you can effectively approach finding a solution. If you encounter obstacles during the process, reassess whether your 'why' is being addressed. By consistently aligning your solutions with your underlying motivations, you'll navigate towards a clearer path to resolution.
A skilled designer excels at comprehending and acting upon this 'why'.
On a side note, if you're new to design and questioning whether you're on the right track with your 'why'—don't fret. Remember, the fundamental truth of good design is that nobody has all the answers. Improvement comes with experience, and honing your ability to uncover the 'whys' will naturally evolve as you gain more practice.
🛠️Solve Problems
Once you've identified the problem, the next step is the easy part: solving it.
This process addresses the WHAT and the HOW behind your WHY.
Once you clearly understand the problem you aim to solve, approaching the solution becomes easier because you've defined your own constraints. Amidst all the talk of 'thinking outside the box', I would argue that you first need to establish your own box with your WHY.
Here are straightforward steps to solve the problem:
Determine WHAT you believe could be a solution to your problem.
Once you have some ideas, consider HOW your proposed solution addresses the problem.
If uncertain, revisit your WHY and consider another WHAT, which you then evaluate with the HOW.
Repeat this process until you're confident in your solution.
✅Design Done!
Just follow this process: if your solution solves the defined problem, you've achieved good design.
This framework guides my approach to design tasks, helping me structure my thoughts and actions for clear conclusions.
📜TL,DR
Understanding Good Design: Good design is about effective problem-solving.
Acceptance and Validation: No universal definition exists; good design is validated by user experience, not theoretical perfection.
Identify the Problem: Start by clearly defining the problem you want to solve.
Understanding 'Why': Knowing your motivations (WHY) behind your design goals is crucial.
Solving the Problem: Define your solution (WHAT), how it addresses the problem (HOW), and revisit your motivations (WHY) until you achieve a satisfactory design.
Got thoughts on design? How do you tackle your design challenges? Does this approach resonate with you? Share your thoughts—I'm all ears!
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