QuoteProject
Content informs design; design without content is decoration.
Jeffrey Zeldman
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The essence of good design lies in its content; design without purpose is merely decorative.

Jeffrey Zeldman's quote emphasizes that effective design must be rooted in its content. It suggests that aesthetic elements should serve a purpose and convey meaning, rather than existing solely for visual appeal. In the realm of design, functionality and substance are essential; without the guiding influence of content, design risks becoming superficial and lacking in true significance.

Themes

DesignContentPurposeFunctionalityAesthetics

In practice

Example use cases

In a design workshop, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of integrating content into web design projects.

More from Jeffrey Zeldman

Usability is like love. You have to care, you have to listen, and you have to be willing to change. You’ll make mistakes along the way, but that’s where growth and forgiveness come in.
Jeffrey ZeldmanRead
Content precedes design. Design in the absence of content is not design, it's decoration.
Jeffrey ZeldmanRead
Don't worry about people stealing your design work. Worry about the day they stop.
Jeffrey ZeldmanRead

Similar quotes

Design principle: Take things away until the design breaks, then put that last thing back in.
Alan CooperRead
Form must never trump function. Some objects are made to look so smooth, you don't know where to pick them up or how to turn them on. If I'm designing a garlic press or cheese grater, I need my hand to fit comfortably on it. I like to know, instinctively, how to use it.
Michael GravesRead
Design needs to be plugged into human behavior. Design dissolves in behavior.
Naoto FukasawaRead
Good design emphasises the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
Dieter RamsRead
Good design should be available to everyone - and I do mean everyone. What I spent on the wheelchair I'm in could buy a small Mercedes. It's not only unfair to me; it's unfair to someone who's indigent but has the same needs. My goal is to make all objects affordable.
Michael GravesRead
Throughout this book, we've been evangelizing simplicity, but ironically, the practice of simplicity is not simple. It is easy to build a bulky design by adding layer upon layer of navigation and features; it's much more difficult to create simple, graceful designs. Paring designs to essential elements while maintaining elegance and functionality requires courage and discipline.
Jakob NielsenRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Jeffrey Zeldman | QuoteProject