Hey Friends,
This week we take a quick look at the philosophy of an iconic industrial designer.
If you’re new to this space, Dieter Rams is a designer and former architect who was the chief of design at Braun for almost three and a half decades.
He’s worked on several consumer products which inspired design language at companies like Apple.
There are tons of articles online for his 10 principles so I wont be repeating those. For this post I’ll be going over examples of physical products which I think resonate with each principle.
Good Design is…
1. Innovative
Eye Tracking on The Vision Pro
Apple’s Vision Pro has an entirely new form of user input - your eyes. Instead of using a mouse, keyboard, or voice - your eye balls navigate around the screen using an array of inward facing cameras and illuminaotrs mounted to the optical modules. This technological development and use case is actually novel and serves a genuine function.
2. Useful
Swiss Army knives
There is so much utility packed into swiss army knives that we sometimes take them for granted. Every feature serves a function and is optimized for space. While they were originally designed for military personnel, you can easily use them for everyday essentials - can opening, box cutting, nail filing, and more.
3. Aesthetic
Apple Watch Series 7
Not much needs to be said here. Stainless steel alloy, multi axis machining, polishing, precise micro insertions on the digital crowns, and a lot more. A work of art.
4. Understandable
Logitech MX Master 3X
This mouse is intuitive and requires minimal instructions to operate. The user can immediately differentiate that the top scroll wheel is for up/down motion and the side scroll wheel is conveniently based by your thumb for side/side. The shape also naturally contours to your hands and it has a subtle secondary button under your thumb to mimic gestures.
5. Unobtrusive
Dyson Fan & Air Purifier
A discrete fan without blades that can easily blend into the background. The soft contours also help hide under the hood components such as wiring and electricals. IMO it can also be used as an interior decoration piece.
6. Honest
ER66 Braun Original Caclulator
Iconic calculator layout which Apple then used for the iphone. It’s simple, clear, only has the essential elements, and does not unnecessarily embellish nonexisting features.
7. Long Lasting
Toyota Corolla
Is there anything more apparent in terms of setting a standard for durability than Japanese manufacturing? Lean, Kaizen, Gemba, Six Sigma, and more are terms which have been embedded into global product development as a testament to the robust Toyota production system. There’s a reason we all know someone with a fully functioning 20+ year old Corolla.
8. Thorough Down to the Last Detail
Macbook Pro
This laptop is arguably even more beautiful inside than it is out. Symmetrical placing of fans, PCBs, flexes, connectors, modules, and ICs. You can also see no presence burrs on the interior of machined aluminum housing. Each piece has a function and precise, intentional placement.
9. Environmentally Friendly
Google Nest Thermostat
Not only is Nest’s mission for people to be smarter about their energy usage and impact to the environment, but their thermostats also designed with recyclable materials - including packaging, internal components, housings, and more.
10. As Little Design as Possible
Tesla Model 3
Less is more with the model 3’s minimalist instrument panel and dashboard. The lack of additional interior trims, panels, and gauges helps the driver (in theory) avoid distractions.
That’s all for now.