Loved the article. To continue the analogy, let me offer a counterpoint to your point. The theory of music is only shackling if you haven’t achieved a mastery of that theory. John Cage said “music is like zen. Before you study zen, the world is simple. Trees are trees, mountains are mountains. While studying zen, suddenly everything is confusing. Trees are no longer trees. In music when studying suddenly notes are now letters, numbers, etc. After studying zen, everything is simple again. Trees are trees, but now your feet are a little off the ground.” I think the analogy still works in product design. Mastery of intellectual techniques offers freedom, but they are only more developed methods to achieve something that must be felt.