People always get this quote wrong. The original quote from Louis Henry Sullivan goes, “Form ever follows function.” ...as in the two are inseparable (and unchanging) but the priority should always be the function (or purpose). Now chew on this for a second.
I believe we can learn something from architects if we take a moment and stop trying to simplify their message into something that serves our own purpose. Why the rush? I think design as a whole needs to take pause and look for a deeper understanding before charging ahead.
I’ve seen countless projects nearly go into full swing over a simple misunderstanding of a problem. Nothing a 15 minute meeting couldn’t solve if we all just slow the hell down. Stop trying to simplify the problem and rather really take the time to understand the problem.
It’s easy to point fingers at who or what is responsible for this after the fact, but it takes real courage to demand a higher standard in the heat of the moment. To demand more rigor of our teams and collages, to demand a common understanding of the true nature of the work.
And above all to best understand not just the problem but also how our solutions effect the world we live in and most of all it’s impact on the citizens of the world that we serve as designers.
