What is "Good" Design? A quick look at Dieter Rams' Ten Principles. (2024)

In the late 1970s, Dieter Rams was becoming increasingly interested in the world of things that surrounded him – “an impenetrable confusion of forms, colours and noises.” As a designer, Rams was aware that he played an important role in the world he was helping create, he asked himself an important question: is my design good design?

Good design is subjective and can't necessarily be measured. However Rams attempted to express what he believed to be the most important principles for design.

Here is a brief overview:

  1. Good design is innovative
  2. Good design makes a product useful
  3. Good design is aesthetic
  4. Good design 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

These principles have become iconic and have inspired designers across the world.

What is "Good" Design? A quick look at Dieter Rams' Ten Principles. (2024)

FAQs

What are the principles of good design according to Dieter Rams? ›

Good design makes a product useful. Good design is aesthetic. Good design makes a product understandable. Good design is unobtrusive.

What are the 10 principles of design? ›

There are 10 principles of design in total! They're also known as the elements of visual design, and are: movement, balance, contrast, proportion, repetition, rhythm, variety, emphasis, harmony, and unity.

How to design like Dieter Rams? ›

Dieter Rams: As Little Design As PossibleDieter Rams discusses the people and principles that have made him a design legend.
  1. Good design is innovative.
  2. Good design makes a product useful.
  3. Good design is aesthetic.
  4. Good design helps us to understand a product.
  5. Good design is unobtrusive.
  6. Good design is honest.

What is the rule of good design? ›

Good Design is Aesthetic: Design should be visually appealing and have a clean, minimalist aesthetic. It should focus on simplicity, elegance, and harmony in form and proportion. Good Design Makes a Product Understandable: Design should communicate its purpose and functionality clearly.

What does good design principles mean? ›

Design principles are a set of values that act as a compass for your product. They're an agreed upon truth: the guideposts that keep your entire team on the same path as you move through the design process. Design principles should be specific, nuanced, and actionable.

What are the 7 principles of design definition? ›

The fundamental principles of design are: Emphasis, Balance and Alignment, Contrast, Repetition, Proportion, Movement and White Space. Design differs from art in that it has to have a purpose. Visually, this functionality is interpreted by making sure an image has a center of attention, a point of focus.

What was Dieter Rams design style? ›

His design influences came early in life when he worked as a carpenter at his grandfather's workshop. As an industrial designer at Braun, Dieter Rams followed the philosophy of "less is more." This approach has generated timeless, quality products with an international reputation.

What is the good design about? ›

Good design is a concept defined by industrial designer Dieter Rams's principles: It makes a product useful and understandable, is innovative, aesthetic, unobtrusive, honest, long-lasting, thorough to the last detail, environmentally friendly, and involves as little design as possible. Designers strive for good design.

What is a good design and bad design? ›

Characteristics of Good Design Versus Bad Design
Good DesignBad Design
3. Meets cost requirements3. Costs more than it should
4. Requires little or no maintenance4. Requires frequent maintenance
5. Is safe5. Poses a hazard to users
6. Creates no ethical dilemma6. Raises ethical questions
2 more rows

What is the golden rule of design? ›

Sustain the context of users' tasks (continuity) Maintain consistency within and across products (experience) Keep interaction results the same (expectations) Provide aesthetic appeal and integrity (attitude) Encourage exploration (predictable)

What are the six golden rules of design? ›

Through layout, hierarchy, contrast, alignment, balance, repetition, proximity and space designers can convey their messages in a meaningful and visually appealing way.

What are the 5 rules of design? ›

Here are five basic design principles that will help you evaluate the quality of any design.
  • Consistency. One of the most fundamental concepts behind a brand is that it's made up of similar, recognizable visual concepts. ...
  • Contrast. A simple yet crucial part of design is contrast. ...
  • Alignment. ...
  • Hierarchy. ...
  • Balance and space.

What are the 5 basic principle of design explain each principle? ›

As someone in the field of design, it's important to understand and utilise these principles: balance, contrast, alignment, hierarchy, and repetition. These principles serve as the foundation for creating designs that are not only visually appealing but also functional.

What are the 6 principles of design explain each? ›

Start with the six principles of design: balance, pattern, rhythm, emphasis, contrast, and unity. Just as instructional design models and methodologies shape your training strategy, so should these principles shape your basic visual strategy. By applying them, you can create high-impact visuals.

What are the 8 principles of design explain each principles? ›

The elements, or principles, of visual design include Contrast, Balance, Emphasis, Movement, White Space, Proportion, Hierarchy, Repetition, Rhythm, Pattern, Unity, and Variety. These principles of design work together to create something that is aesthetically pleasing and optimizes the user experience.

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