Reframing the debate: It’s “Pretty plus Functional for a Purpose.”

Darrell Estabrook
Aug 28, 2017 · 2 min read

It seems to be the subtext within the digital design community that “pretty” designs don’t solve problems. That speculative design cheapens the value of design. That form always follows function.

I’ll see this argument, and raise it: A design will only be as strong as its purpose is clearly defined.

Perhaps designers on Dribbble are not trying to solve for a known business problem, but they are solving for a felt need as a user. The designer on Dribbble may be expanding their portfolio, but can they explain the purpose for every headline, button, and text block (they should)? Their answers don’t have to be the actual problems, but they are likely to spark a new idea that could drive an innovation (or at least investigation). We must always question the convention.

There is no such thing as purposeless design. Purposeless design is another word for randomness.

It is more than “pretty” (although I believe this is the best word that non-design practitioners have to describe the deeper concept of aesthetic). Aesthetic affects the designer’s use of space to help shape how a person reacts to the functionality. People will react, but don’t we want the strongest reaction to the most people?

It would be great if product owners could have perfect design vision of the future. Yet, I see it time and time again where seeing something is what communicates the idea. Now, do these ideas have legs? How do people respond to them? Better? Worse? Let’s find out.

You can start with form, or you can start with function, but you must always start with purpose and end with both. Just like humans are both rational and emotional, we are creating a whole product where both “pretty” and function must come together in their strongest form possible.

828 Design

828 Design is about exploring what drives us to reach our creative potential and how we might engage the hearts of our customers through our businesses. Let’s connect at http://828.design

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Darrell Estabrook

Written by

I create, lead & love design. It’s all purpose-driven for better business results and more enjoyable experiences for people.

828 Design

828 Design is about exploring what drives us to reach our creative potential and how we might engage the hearts of our customers through our businesses. Let’s connect at http://828.design

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