Dieter Rams — 10 Principles of Good Design

A rubric for judging whether a design is good, not just functional. Good design is:

1. Innovative — advances with technology, never an end in itself.
2. Useful — emphasizes usefulness; discards anything that detracts from it.
3. Aesthetic — beauty is integral to usefulness; well-made objects affect wellbeing.
4. Understandable — clarifies structure; ideally self-explanatory.
5. Unobtrusive — neutral and restrained, leaving room for the user.
6. Honest — doesn't promise more than it delivers or manipulate.
7. Long-lasting — avoids fashion; stays relevant across years.
8. Thorough to the last detail — nothing arbitrary; care expresses respect for the user.
9. Environmentally friendly — conserves resources, minimizes waste.
10. As little design as possible — less, but better. Concentrate on the essential.

How to apply