Keep Creating Ep. 12: Jeff Sheldon On Good Design And Finding Inspiration

What makes good design? 

In search of the answer, German Industrial Designer and Academic Dieter Rams proposed these principles: 

1. Good design is innovative. 
2. Good design must be useful. 
3. Good design is aesthetic. 
4. Good design is sustainable. 
5. Good design makes a product understandable. 
6. Good design is honest. 
7. Good design is unobtrusive. 
8. Good design is long lasting. 
9. Good design is consistent in every detail. 
10. Good design is as little design as possible.

The genius of Ram’s principles is manifold. Each one of the ten principles relies on the others. And they all take into account the user of the design, the environment in which the design lives, and the overarching purpose of the design. 

Now, can we substitute creativity for design? Can we use Rams’s criteria as a standard for creative work, or does it expand beyond them? 

On this episode of the Keep Creating Podcast, we delve into the topic of good design (among other things) with Jeff Sheldon, the founder and designer of Ugmonk. 

Jeff launched Ugmonk in 2008 as a creative outlet to design products he actually wanted to wear and use. Over a decade later, Ugmonk continues to grow its collection of well-crafted objects and clothing, and has built a loyal following around the globe.  

You can listen to this episode of the Keep Creating Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Like the music we use in this show? You can license and download it here.