What makes a Design “Good”?

Let's face it! Design is objective... to a certain degree. When it comes to quantifying "good" design there are a few criteria we can go by.

 1. Is it solving a problem?
While art appeals to the emotional senses, while design solves problems creatively. As designers we are looking to understand a businesses challenges and bring our abstract perspective into the mix. Whatever the business faces, is what we're bringing to the table helping to solve it?

2. Is it innovative?
The world and technology is moving at a fast pace - constantly evolving. Is our design keeping up or exceeding the pace? Are we being "innovative" for the sake of being different, or is it actually making a difference?

3. Is it able to be easily understood?
When a user looks at the design, can the concept be easily grasp upon first glance? Does the message come across clearly, effectively, and quickly? While this is 99% of what we strive for, sometimes we can push the box and draw the attention in by making it a puzzle. This is must be clever, consistent - but more importantly - always clear.

4. Is it useful and/or functional?
The ultimate goal is that it's both functional and beautiful - but mostly functional/useful. Beauty should not deter from the functionality. Users want a good experience with design and have expectations in using it. So, does it serve the purpose it was intended?

5. Is it aesthetically pleasing?
Let's face it! We all like to look at nice things. It makes us happy. It has an effect on your mood, your well-being. It makes your feel a certain way. If designed well, you help to control the perception of the audience and gain their admiration.

6. Is it valuable?
Does it make an impact to your clients problem? How is this helping to solve it? Is it going to resonate with their audience? Does it impact your clients bottom line? In creating design, we construct projects with this in mind. Is this going to be valuable to our client and exceed their needs by doing this?

7. Is it honest?
We don't want to throw false hope at our audience and especially for our clients. So, is our design going to be everything we claim it to be? Is it going to solve the problems we say it will? Is it projecting the company honestly? Being honest with ourselves in the process, will keep us from writing checks our butts will inevitably cash.

8. Does it have longevity?
Good design is timeless. It has longevity in that it has the ability to evolve while retaining the essence over time. Clean, minimal, and classic looks help prevent it from being pegged as trendy which will outdate it over time. Keep it simple!

9. Is it consistent in the details?
Is the design holistic? Does it cover all the bases and then some? When you focus on just the essential aspects in your design, design around it, you can create a consistent design that exceeds expectations, showcasing quality to your work, thus building trust with the audience.