Good design is thorough down to the last detail - Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.
Dieter RamsRead
Things which are different in order simply to be different are seldom better, but that which is made to be better is almost always different.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Innovations should aim for improvement rather than mere distinction; genuine progress often leads to uniqueness.
In this quote, Dieter Rams emphasizes that true innovation is not about being different for the sake of it, but rather about making something better. When improvements are made with intention and purpose, the outcomes often result in uniqueness, setting them apart from the norm in a meaningful way.
Themes
InnovationDesignImprovementDifferenceUniqueness
In practice
Example use cases
In a design conference, a speaker could use this quote to highlight the importance of purposeful innovation.
More from Dieter Rams
All quotes βMy goal is to omit everything superfluous so that the essential is shown to best possible advantage.
Dieter RamsRead
You cannot understand good design if you do not understand people; design is made for people.
Dieter RamsRead
Good design emphasises the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
Dieter RamsRead
Design should not dominate things, should not dominate people. It should help people. That's its role.
Dieter RamsRead
My heart belongs to the details. I actually always found them to be more important than the big picture. Nothing works without details. They are everything, the baseline of quality.
Dieter RamsRead
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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
Content informs design; design without content is decoration.
Jeffrey ZeldmanRead