Why does design go wrong so often?
Continuing with our conversation on design, the International Herald Tribune has an article from April 2007 dealing with what they call “design flops.” Yes, they are speaking more of physical things and not so much on the digital pieces we will create, but the reasons listed for failure are universal.
The odd thing is that no one sets out to design something that’s mediocre. So why does design go wrong so often? Let’s set aside the rational reasons why projects can fail - like budgetary constraints, deadline pressure and lack of talent - to concentrate on the scenarios that should be easily avoidable, but crop up again and again, with predictably dire results.
The article is fairly short and limits itself to eight things that can be avoided. Besides what is listed, what other things can sabotage your design?
Posted in creative process, general design |
August 28th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Another thing that can sabotage what would otherwise be good design is pressure from financial supporters. Companies, etc. who invest in a design can have a HUGE impact on how the final design actually looks. After all, if they don’t like it, they can always (and sometimes do) threaten to pull their support, forcing the designer to make things to their liking.