Everything is design, but not everything is good design. Good design gives us a blueprint to help lead us through the world around us. It speaks specifically to people’s needs and wants.
Graphic design uses knowledge of the way a person physically sees something to adjust how well they perceive the message being delivered. Good graphic design draws our attention to information that we need to know and allows our eyes to move quickly through a composition in order to retrieve a message. Without well-designed traffic signs the world of automobiles would be considerably more confusing and dangerous.
Interior design uses visual cues to tell us what a room is used for, and how one is to behave in the space. Good interior design can make us feel comfortable in places that we are meant to stay and linger, or make us feel uncomfortable in places that we are meant to be alert and on our toes. If jails appeared to be the most comfortable places in the world, what would our motivation be to stay out of them?
Fashion design uses psychology to show us what we want or "need" to wear. People have the desire to fit in, and good fashion design leads us buy items that make us feel as though we have achieved this.
They sound trivial. And perhaps they are. But without these clues we wouldn't know where to look to for answers. GOOD design is necessary for society to function well.
