Dieter Rams' 10 Principles of Good Design

From Core77

While reading about Jonathan Ive, the designer behind most of Apple's products, I learned that a big influence of his was Dieter Rams.  Rams was trained as an architect but became an industrial designer working many years at Braun creating numerous iconic products we recognize.  Later in his career Rams created the ten principles of good design.  

Good Design is:

1. Good design is innovative.
2. Good design makes a product useful.
3. Good design is aesthetic.
4. Good design makes a product understandable.
5. Goop design is unobtrusive.
6. Good design is honest.
7. Good design is long-lasting.
8. Good design is thorough, down to the last detail.
9. Good design is environmentally-friendly.
10. Good design is as little design as possible.

Now what does this have to do with landscape Architecture?  Although it seems Rams orientated this towards product design, I truly think these principles will carry over to all design, including landscape architecture.  Good design is universal.  


I won't go into detail here about each principle, you can read more about Rams on his principles on Wikipedia or see more of his products all over design blogs such as Core77 (Where I grabbed the photo from), product pages that are still for sale and even a Flickr group.  


I'm going to keep my eyes open for Landscape Architecture examples that closely relate to the principles and keep you updated.


I will leave you with one picture of a radio he designed.  It is clean, distinct and I'm sure very easy to use.  

G.

RT 20 superHet VHFand medium wave radio, 1961