[taphangum]

> Design must be subservient to usability.

I really really like this quote. Did you come up with this? Hits the nail right on the head, and is actually a key to helping developers better understand how to design effectively. Namely, to come at design from the perspective of an interface as an 'information architecture'. And how this is key to making design easy and more understandable for a engineering oriented mind.

I wrote a short article about this here: https://simpleprogrammer.com/information-architecture-develo....

[KineticLensman]

> Design must be subservient to usability.

Not OP, but it seems related to 'form follows function' [0]. Incidentally, my favourite graphic design rule is 'communicate don't decorate'.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_follows_function

[taphangum]

> communicate don't decorate

Is another fantastic one.

I'm really getting into the idea that design is basically all about guidance. Mapping a goal-worthy journey for the user. Which is why we use words like 'journey' and 'story' often when describing UX issues.

Thanks for the comment and the link! Very enlightening.

[ayewo]

Mentally, I add the prefix “communication” whenever I see references to (graphic) designers. It helps me keep what their ultimate responsibility should be in any software project: to communicate, as clearly as possible, within the chosen mediums of expression.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_design

[taphangum]

Ironically (as I'm sure you're aware), your comment is the perfect example of form follows function.

Maintaining this perspective of what designers are in function will probably lead to better designers (via the form of their work) overall.

[tomcam]

Thanks for the link. Reading it now. Yes the quote is mine. Feel free to steal it. Cheers