Design doesn’t add value. Part 3: When design is a part of a product
In previous articles
Design doesn’t add value — a rule that helps avoid unnecessary effects and embellishment.
According to the rule, design builds on a product and makes the product values clear. So, if a design technique helps to explain product values, it is useful. If the technique isn’t related to the product and exists solely because it looks cool, it will distract from the product.
Design doesn’t add value. Part 1
Part 3 has more examples. But on a deeper level—when design is a part of a product.
Maybach’s exterior
Mercedes sells an off-road Maybach. It has a powerful engine and the car can go where regular cars can’t.
Maybach’s exterior tells a story about it. The car has a rectangular shape and a bulky hood. It feels strong and resistant:
Imagine, if Maybach would look smooth, like Tesla:
A car with a smooth exterior is elegant. But it doesn’t look like you can drive it in a rocky area or a forest.
On an off-road car, a smooth exterior adds value by itself—it just looks pretty. It contradicts the car’s value—that it’s a powerful all-terrain vehicle.
A smooth exterior fits Tesla. Teslas are high-tech cars. They have an autopilot and a touchscreen to control the car. A smooth look is associated with futuristic vehicles.
How MacBooks look
MacBooks are high-quality laptops. They have a thought-out interface, they’re durable: after 10 years of work they are as good as new. MacBooks’ cases tell about it. It is nice to the touch and looks expensive:
Such a case wouldn’t fit a cheap laptop.
MacBooks are usually used for work or study. The way they look tells us about this as well: the design is concise and minimalistic:
Imagine if MacBooks were cool and loud, like Alien Wares—computers made for playing games:
It wouldn’t fit a Mac. Such design would add value by itself and just look cool. It would contradict the Mac’s value—laptop for a productive work.
A cool and showy design fits Alien Ware perfectly. It’s just right for playing a space shooter—the laptop looks like a spaceship by itself.
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Part 4. Design doesn’t add value: When the rule stops working →
