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November 27, 2024
Vol. 01 No. 03
Welcome. Aesthetics often steal the spotlight in design—it’s the part everyone notices, the most subjective element, and yet, paradoxically, it contributes the least to functionality. But don’t underestimate its power. Aesthetics forge emotional connections, drawing users in and creating loyalty. In this edition, we’ll explore why aesthetics are a cornerstone of product success and how to balance beauty with purpose in your designs. Read on to discover how to make aesthetics work harder for you.
"Design with purpose, not just for aesthetics or to chase a trend."
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Edge Fact:
94% of first impressions relate to what?
Keep reading to discover the answer to the Edge Fact.
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Insight
Beyond Aesthetics: Designing Functional Beauty
Great design is more than a pretty face—it’s beauty with purpose. Functional beauty marries aesthetics with usability, creating products and experiences that delight while serving a practical purpose. Think of the iPhone's minimalist design that’s easy to use or Dyson’s visually striking vacuum that excels at its job.
Why Functional Beauty Matters
Aesthetic appeal draws users in, but function keeps them coming back. Products that balance both tend to create better emotional connections and lasting value. Research shows that customers often perceive attractive products as more effective—a concept called the aesthetic-usability effect.
How to Create Functional Beauty
Start with Empathy: Understand your users' needs deeply. How do they interact with your product? Where are the pain points?
Balance Form and Function: Use materials, shapes, and features that enhance usability without sacrificing style.
Iterate and Test: Prototype your designs and gather user feedback to refine both looks and utility.
Find Inspiration in Nature: Biomimicry often combines elegance and efficiency—think Velcro, inspired by burrs, or the aerodynamic shape of a bird's wing influencing aircraft.
Functional beauty transcends trends. By designing with purpose, you create products that are not just admired but cherished.
Ready to take your design skills to the next level? Grab my 10 + 1 Design Fundamentals Workbook and start transforming your process today! If you don't want the entire workbook just grab the Aesthetic Appeal templates and make impactful, beautiful designs today!
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Case Study
Tesla' Minimal Dashboard Design: A Lesson in Focused Innovation
Tesla’s minimalist dashboard isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a revolution in user-centric automotive design. By reducing physical buttons and clutter, Tesla has redefined how we interact with vehicles, emphasizing simplicity and ease of use. The sleek centerpiece of their interiors, a 15-inch touchscreen, consolidates controls for everything from navigation to climate settings. This approach reduces driver distraction and aligns with Tesla's futuristic branding.
So, what can designers learn?
Focus on the Essentials: Tesla proves that minimalism isn’t about removing features but streamlining them. Prioritize what truly enhances user experience.
Design with Functionality in Mind: By combining a clean interface with software updates, Tesla continually improves user interaction without needing a redesign.
Reflect the Brand Vision: The minimal dashboard reinforces Tesla's identity as a forward-thinking, tech-first company.
Whether you’re designing products, apps, or experiences, Tesla’s dashboard reminds us that less can indeed be more—when executed thoughtfully.
Pro Tip: Regularly evaluate your design. Ask, “Does this add value, or is it just noise? Never add some flashy element just because you think it looks cool.” Trim the unnecessary to let essential features shine.
Don’t just read about better design—create it. Download my 10 + 1 Design Fundamentals Workbook to start designing with purpose and precision.
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Skill Builder
Simplifying Complexity With Visual Hierarchy
Have you ever been overwhelmed by a cluttered website or an unreadable chart? That’s where visual hierarchy comes to the rescue. This powerful design principle organizes content by importance, guiding users seamlessly through information—whether it’s a webpage, product manual, or presentation.
Why Visual Hierarchy Matters
A clear visual hierarchy ensures users can grasp complex information quickly. By directing attention to key elements, it reduces cognitive load, improving comprehension and user satisfaction. For instance, Apple’s website uses bold headlines, contrasting colors, and whitespace to create a hierarchy that feels effortless to navigate.
Actionable Steps to Create Visual Hierarchy
Prioritize Content: Identify the most important information. Use larger fonts, bold text, or eye-catching visuals to highlight these elements.
Leverage Contrast: Play with size, color, and spacing to create distinction. For example, darker colors or increased size naturally draw the eye.
Group Related Items: Proximity helps users connect related information. Use grids or alignment to keep content organized.
Use Progression: Direct the user’s journey by arranging content in a logical flow, such as top to bottom or left to right.
Beyond Design
Visual hierarchy isn’t just for designers. Writers, marketers, and educators can use these principles to simplify reports, presentations, or teaching materials.
Quick Tip: Test your design with fresh eyes or ask someone unfamiliar with the content to give feedback. If they can’t identify the main takeaway in seconds, refine your hierarchy.
Pro Tip: Step back, way back, from your design or, if designing on a computer, shrink it way down until you only see general shapes and sizes. What stands out first? Second? Third? Where does your eye travel as it tries to take in and understand the design? Squinting also works for a quick check as you design.
Make your next design your best design. Download my 10 + 1 Design Fundamentals Workbook and unlock your creative edge.
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Podcast I'm Excited About
Storybook Scandals
Storybook Scandals delves into the dark and mysterious side of your favorite fairytales. Through compelling storytelling, hidden histories, and chilling conspiracies, we unravel the secrets behind the missing mothers and forgotten figures of folklore. Each episode uncovers a new layer of intrigue, blending fiction with deep research to leave you questioning the happily-ever-afters you thought you knew.
I am always searching for ways to scratch that creative itch and get away from the
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Team Tips
The Value of Cross Department Collaboration in Design
Great design does not happen in a silo. When designers collaborate with other departments—engineering, marketing, customer service—they gain perspectives that elevate the final product from functional to exceptional. Cross-department collaboration isn’t just about gathering ideas; it’s about creating a unified vision.
Why It Matters
Diverse Expertise: Engineers bring feasibility insights; marketers understand audience appeal; customer service teams know user pain points. Together, these perspectives inform smarter design decisions.
Better Problem-Solving: Collaborative teams are more likely to identify blind spots early, reducing costly revisions later. According to a Stanford study, diverse teams are 60% more likely to solve complex problems than homogenous groups.
Stronger Buy-In: When stakeholders across departments contribute, there’s shared ownership of the design process, fostering smoother implementation.
How to Make Collaboration Work
Build Communication Channels: Regular check-ins or collaborative tools like Miro or Figma help maintain alignment.
Encourage Empathy: Educate your team about the goals and constraints of other departments. A designer who understands supply chain limitations is more likely to propose practical solutions.
Start with the End User: Keep every department focused on how their contributions serve the customer. A shared purpose keeps the team cohesive.
By stepping outside your own department and embracing collaboration, you can create designs that truly reflect the needs of the user—and the capabilities of the company.
Transform good ideas into great products. Grab the 10 + 1 Design Fundamental Workbook and start making impact-driven designs today!
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Edge Fact Answer:
94% of first impressions relate to visual appeal but it is the purpose of the design, quality, and function that retains the user.
Now you know!
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Thank you for joining me on The Design Edge! Your passion for thoughtful, impactful design is what makes this journey worthwhile. Keep pushing boundaries, and remember—great design always puts people first. See you next week!
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