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 informs design; design without content is decoration.
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.
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All quotes →Content precedes design. Design in the absence of content is not design, it's decoration.
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Don't worry about people stealing your design work. Worry about the day they stop.
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