The Good.
To me, a good design is not just about what looks good. Rather, it encompasses a number of other factors. Good design has to perform, convert, astonish, and most importantly, fulfill its purpose.
An example of such a design is the 11+ Sound1 speakers by Leibal.

A Bluetooth-enabled set of speakers, the 11+ Sound1 looks beautiful and unique, with a touch of finesse. Embedded with magnets, the two separate cylindrical speakers can connect to create one single piece while the wires were made to be tucked away neatly into the hollowed-out space at the bottom. A great design feature that I have never seen on a portable speaker product. The thing with good design, in my opinion, is that it surprises you. It is continually a great feeling to have, to be taken aback by an idea that is so original or new that I have to wrap my head around it. Additionally, each speaker was designed with a minor tilt at its base, allowing them to be angled toward the listener to provide the best possible listening experience. Again, this design feature is unique to the product, and not only does it heighten the functionality of the product, it also grants the product its uniquely aesthetic look. This is a perfect balance of form and function, a balance many designs strive to achieve.


Another example of good design to me is the Coffee Bench by Polish design firm Beyond Standards let by Karolina Tylka.

The Coffee Bench is a project which transforms the everyday coffee bench into one with flexibility, innovation, beauty, and interactivity. Being able to adjust the smart use of space within the product itself is amazing to me. The bench also not only stands as a fully functional piece of furniture, it also gives off the sense of an art installation with an interactive nature. The simplicity of the concept is what speaks to me as well. Part of the design process involves prototyping in which a lot of things are removed till you reach a point where all that is needed is left. It is at that point where the design comes to life. The beauty of this coffee bench design is that it adapts according to the user’s needs, allowing for variety.

Lastly, another example of good design to me, is the classic paper clip.

I always took paper clips for granted as a kid. It wasn’t until I started learning about design that I began to realize that the classic paper clip is a brilliant example of a good design. It achieves its purpose as a paper binder so well with just a few minor twists of a metal wire. The iconic loop design has just enough spring to hold several sheets of paper together without snapping. Its simplicity in its design continues to captivate me as you think about its fruition way back in the 1890s. Many modern designed products are created with the hope that they transcend time, but very few do like the simple paper clip. The paper clip reminds me constantly that sometimes, beauty in design can be found in its simplicity and functionality.