The Wisdom of Dieter Rams

As I have shared many times in the past, I believe that there is much that marketing communications people can learn from the world of design. One of the greats to learn from is Dieter Rams. His 10 Principles of Good Design are timeless and true to the very core.

The quote above on design is equally true to creating advertising, web sites, mobile apps or any other type of "brand" experience for people. Indifference for the people we create things for and the reality of their daily lives is not just foolish, it's wrong.

Comments

[Lisa]

So true! Dieter Ram's 10 Principles for Good Design are universal to us all. There is room to discuss, however, that the intent to practice Good Design has its limitations. I'd suggest that a Good Organization is integral to executing Good Design [no matter the creative industry]. To this end, I'm buoyed by what I would consider 9 Principles for Good Organizations, or, these original tenets on which Ikea was founded, here shown as translated from Swedish (with Ikea's capitalization):

1. The Product Range--Our Identity
2. The IKEA Spirit. A Strong and Living Reality.
3. Profit Gives Us Resources.
4. To Reach Good Results With Small Means.
5. Simplicity Is A Virtue
6. The Different Way
7. Concentration of Energy--Important to Our Success
8. To Assume Responsibility--A Privilege
9. Most Things Still Remain To Be Done. A Glorious Future!

The pragmatism is clear, as is the positivity and self-awareness. These principles coupled with those for Good Design form a complete and actionable plan. Sure we must pay attention to our audience and the reality in which they live, but we must begin by paying attention to our own attitudes about the work we do and our individual contributions to the teams in which we create.

[paul isakson]

Fantastic thoughts, Lisa. And I absolutely agree with your closing words. It all starts from the inside and how our personal approach to the work comes to life in it—good or bad. Thanks for sharing the IKEA principles as well.