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Aesthetics or functionality - which is most important?
"Is the design of a product more important than the features? I was prompted to ask this question because yesterday I bought a vaccum which looks ugly (frankly), but has the best features of any I've seen!"
In the debate over aesthetics and functionality, the winner inevitably is functionality. If a product does not perform it's function properly, it is considered a total failure and nothing more than a peice of art. At times, aesthetics may surpass functionality on certain products, but these occasions are rare and generally are products chosen specifically for aesthetics and admittedly have little or no functional value. In general, form should follow function in the world of product design.
7 comment(s) so far

mzellers thinks: functionality ought to rule...form following function and all that...

that being said, to be sure, aesthetics matter - see Don Norman's EMOTIONAL DESIGN - we do tend to interact with things better that we like...just as we forgive flaws in people that we like, we forgive flaws in things that we like. the design and aesthetics is a major way that a product can cultivate an emotional attachment to a person...
(100% of 9 votes AGREE)
JBonnin thinks: I am a fan of design! However, design must include functionality, otherwise we´ll go for a plain work of art such as a painting or sculpture.

A beautifully designed gadget which does not perform satisfactorily is a total failure!

(88% of 8 votes AGREE)
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