While testing the beta of the new Interaction Design Association web site (ixda.org) I came across an entry that I had posted in a thread about the commercialization of art/design back in December 2005. A slightly modified version follows.

Design is not a random, spontaneous act. It has purpose — a goal that is trying to be achieved. Good design achieves the intended goal or purpose (or, at least gets close). If I design a chair that is visually appealing, but terribly uncomfortable, my design has not succeeded (as a chair, although, it may succeed as sculpture, or art.)

It is true that some designs may be overly constrained due to business issues. But, this is nothing new. Many great artists through the years were constrained by the desires, or willingness to pay, of their benefactors. What they painted, composed, sculpted, etc. was greatly influenced by their employer. That doesn’t mean their work wasn’t worthwhile, or successful. The reality is that most designs have constraints of time and money. Tradeoffs must be made. Good designs focus on achieving the objectives of the sponsor, and of the user even if some *art* gets sacrificed in the process.

I don’t see this as pandering to profits. It is not a bad thing to be avoided, rather it is what makes design design. Does that mean that a comfortable chair cannot be visually appealing? Absolutely not! If the visual aesthetics add to the overall experience, they add to the success of the design.

Great designs go beyond the business (sponsor) needs. Really great designs have as one of their key objectives to meet the needs/wants of their users (in an elegant way). Great designs provide great user experiences, not just a creative outlet for the designer. And, bad designs (that don’t consider the user experience), generally are limited in their benefit to the business paying for the design. The process is self regulating. Bad designs have limited commercial success. Good/Great designs often have the best commercial success. (Think of iPod, IKEA, Google, or your favorite products/services/software.)