“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
Quote
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs emphasizes that design is not only about aesthetics or visual appeal but also about functionality—how a product works and how it solves problems for the user. Jobs believed that true design excellence goes beyond creating something that simply looks good; it should also offer a seamless and intuitive user experience. For him, the beauty of a product comes not just from its external appearance, but from how its design serves its purpose and enhances the user’s interaction with it.
At Apple, this philosophy was integral to the development of products like the iPhone, iPod, and Macintosh, which not only featured sleek and appealing designs but also had innovative, user-friendly interfaces that transformed how people interacted with technology. Jobs’ vision was to create products that were beautiful inside and out, where the design didn’t just look good but also functioned in a way that made life easier and more enjoyable for the user.
In today’s world, this perspective continues to influence product design across industries. Whether in electronics, software, or consumer goods, companies are increasingly focused on creating products that are not only visually appealing but also highly functional, efficient, and easy to use. Jobs’ words remind us that great design is about balance—it’s not just about aesthetics, but also about making things that work perfectly for the people who use them.
