I have been a designer for over a decade and although I receive a full plate of joy from designing, tackling verbal concepts and transmuting them into visual designs is a challenge. Design is a skill that not everyone excels at. So, for the designer that steps away from a new site shiny website or poster, having only been given directions from the client to, make it “cute” and functional, how do we know if our design is worthy of being called good design? Dieter Rams’ 10 principles of good design, provide a strong litmus test.

Dieter Rams and the 10 Principles of Good Design

Dieter Rams is a German designer who was born in 1932. He studied architecture and interior decoration. In 1955, Rams began working at Braun and eventually become the Chief Design Officer. Rams asked that very same question, “Is my design good design?”

He then developed his 10 Principles of Good Design. These principles can guide designers from various fields, from industrial designers to visual and UX/UI designers alike, to make intentional design choices and to create something worthy of being called good design.

10 Principles of Good Design

1. Good design is innovative

2. Good design is 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

Good design is a combination of functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. It solves problems and enhances the user's interaction with a product or service. How do your designs stack up to Dieter Rams’ 10 Principles of Good Design?

Gabriel Carter designs to encourage growth. He is the Founder and Creative Director at Cheltenham. He is currently residing in Baltimore, helping small brands unlock their potential to thrive while exploring his personal growth and identity.

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