Design Is How It Works: How the Smartest Companies Turn Products into Icons

“Design isn’t just the glossy sheen…it’s the experience you create, how the product works.”

Confession: I haven’t read the book yet but I will soon. Yesterday I listened to an enjoyable interview with the author, Jay Green. Although the focus of this book is on product design, it really applies to all design — graphic design, web design, basically the whole user experience.

The best design comes from recognizing a vacuum that needs to be filled. With my work, it means discovering/knowing what the end clients need or want and coming up with a design solution that fits. Perhaps it’s using a web solution over print, emails instead of direct mail, or some combination involving different media.

Being open to different ideas, willing to try new methods are all part of good design solutions.

Listen to the KUOW 94.9 interview: Considering Product Design: How Products Become Icons