Good design is beautiful. Great design is transparent.
Could you name one object with design that is beautiful and one object with design that is transparent?
…
I would name an iPhone and a nail clipper.
The iPhone
Undeniably, it is beautiful. It has always been one of the most beautiful smartphones since it was born.
It is designed by Steve Jobs. It is beautiful, cool and smart.
However, it will change. Every single version of the iPhone is different.
It is not designed to be great, but beautiful. Because it is designed to be sold. Beauty sells better.
The nail clipper
It has been there for more than 100 years. It was used by my grandpa, father, brother, me and will be used by my son.
No one even questions about how it was designed.
It just works. I didn’t notice it until someone told me to.
It is such a shiny object, yet the least noticeable.
Great design lasts
It works, it lasts, it continues. And still no one cares.
Like the nail clipper that lasts for 100 years.
Just like the chopsticks …
The Google
Until now, I cannot remember the colour sequence of Google logo, although I use it everyday.
On the web, it lasts itself for more than 10 years, same structure, just different look.
In the technology world’s context (where a day equals a month), it is great design. It will continue to last, maybe another 10 years.
Great design doesn’t ask for attention
It doesn’t need attention because it doesn’t have to.
