50 iconic design quotes that every designer should live by

50 iconic design quotes that every designer should live by

Design is a powerful tool that shapes our world, influences behaviour, and communicates ideas. For graphic designers, UX specialists, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of creativity, these design quotes offer inspiration and guidance throughout the creative journey. Learn more about iconic design quotes that every designer should live by.

design quotes
Iconic design quotes cater to everyone in the design field, from amateurs to seasoned professionals. Photo: pexels.com, @heftiba (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Design is more than just creating something that looks good—it's about solving problems, communicating ideas, and making an impact. Iconic design quotes cater to everyone in the design field, from amateurs to seasoned professionals.

50 iconic design quotes

Inspirational design quotes cater to everyone involved in the creative industry. From creators looking for a spark of creativity to those searching for inspiration to create designs, these unique quotes have you covered. But with an extensive list, what are examples of good design quotes?

Graphic design quotes

design quotes
Graphic design is a powerful medium for visual communication, blending creativity and technical skill to convey ideas. Photo: pexels.com, @tima-miroshnichenko (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Graphic design is a powerful medium for visual communication, blending creativity and technical skill to convey ideas. This collection of design quotes celebrates the essence of graphic design, offering insights into the balance of aesthetics and functionality that every designer strives to achieve.

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  • There are three responses to a piece of design—yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for. – Milton Glaser
  • Less is more. – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
  • Good design is good business. – Thomas J. Watson
  • Design is thinking made visual – Saul Bass
  • Design is the conscious effort to impose a meaningful order. – Victor Papanek
  • You can have an art experience in front of Rembrandt or in front of a piece of graphic design. – Stefan Sagmeister
  • Design is the silent ambassador of your brand – Paul Rand
  • Design is as much an act of spacing as an act of marking. – Ellen Lupton
  • Graphic design will save the world right after rock and roll does – David Carson
  • To design is to communicate clearly by whatever means you can control or master – Milton Glaser

Design creativity quotes

design quotes
Design creativity quotes delve into the nature of creative thinking, encouraging designers to embrace mistakes and think outside the box. Photo: pexels.com, @mccutcheon (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Creativity is at the heart of every great design, fuelling innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The following iconic quotes delve into the nature of creative thinking, encouraging designers to embrace mistakes and think outside the box.

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  • Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep. – Scott Adams
  • Make it simple but significant – Don Draper
  • Every great design begins with an even better story – Lorinda Mamo
  • The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible – David Ogilvy
  • Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated – Paul Rand
  • Creativity is intelligence having fun – Albert Einstein
  • You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have – Maya Angelou
  • Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvellous – Bill Moyers
  • Good design makes other designers feel like idiots because that idea wasn't theirs. – Frank Chimero
  • Creativity is nothing but a mind set free – Torrie T. Asai

UX design quotes

design quotes
UX design quotes highlight the importance of user-centred design, where empathy and understanding are essential. Photo: pexels.com, @cottonbro (modified by author)
Source: UGC

User Experience (UX) design focuses on creating functional products that provide meaningful and enjoyable user experiences. UX design quotes highlight the importance of user-centred design, where empathy and understanding are essential.

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  • The details are not the details. They make the design – Charles Eames
  • Design should never say, 'Look at me.' It should always say, 'Look at this' – David Craib
  • A user interface is like a joke. If you have to explain it, it's not that good – Martin LeBlanc
  • People ignore design that ignores people – Frank Chimero
  • Designing a product is designing a relationship – Steve Rogers
  • Good design is a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good design fits our needs so well that the design is invisible – Don Norman
  • Design should be user-centric, not ego-centric – Unknown
  • Design is the art of gradually applying constraints until only one solution remains. – Unknown
  • The public is more familiar with bad design than good design. It is, in effect, conditioned to prefer bad design because that is what it lives with – Paul Rand
  • Design is where science and art break even. – Robin Mathew

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Famous design quotes

design quotes
Famous design quotes offer timeless wisdom from some of the most influential figures in the design world. Photo: pexels.com, @nezze404 (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Specific design quotes have achieved iconic status, resonating with designers across generations. These famous quotes offer timeless wisdom from some of the most influential figures in the design world.

  • Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful. – John Maeda
  • Design is the intermediary between information and understanding. – Richard Grefé
  • God is in the details. – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
  • A designer knows he has achieved perfection, not when nothing is left to add but nothing to take away. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Design is intelligence made visible. – Alina Wheeler
  • Design is not for philosophy; it's for life. – Issey Miyake
  • Design is a craft, science, storytelling, propaganda, and philosophy. – Erik Adigard
  • Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works. – Steve Jobs
  • Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo da Vinci
  • Good design is evident. Great design is transparent. – Joe Sparano

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Design thinking quotes

design quotes
Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology that combines creativity with analytical thinking to develop innovative solutions. Photo: pexels.com, @quang-nguyen-vinh-222549 (modified by author)
Source: UGC

What are design thinking quotes? They are quotes that capture the essence of design ideas, emphasizing their role in addressing challenges, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful design. Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology that combines creativity with analytical thinking to develop innovative solutions.

  • Design is a formal response to a strategic question. – Mariona Lopez
  • If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design. – Ralf Speth
  • Design is the application of intent—the opposite of happenstance and an antidote to accident. – Robert L. Peters
  • Any design adds value faster than it adds costs. – Joel Spolsky
  • Design must reflect the practical and aesthetic of business, but good design must primarily serve people. – Thomas J. Watson
  • The best designers are the ones who know how to think like a beginner. – Marc Gobe
  • Design is a solution to a problem. Art is a question of a problem. – John Maeda
  • The role of the designer is that of a good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests. – Charles Eames
  • Design is about making things suitable (and then better) and right (and fantastic) for those who use and encounter them. – Matt Beale
  • Designing for simplicity is an art that requires a deep understanding of the complexity beneath. – Michelangelo

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What is a design quote?

A design quote is a brief, impactful statement that encapsulates the principles, philosophy, or insights related to design practice. It often reflects the wisdom of experienced designers, artists, or thought leaders.

What is simplicity in design quotes?

Simplicity in design quotes explores the concept of minimalist design. They inspire designers to create with clarity and purpose.

Design quotes have the power to inspire, motivate, and guide creative professionals through every stage of their journey. Whether seeking wisdom from the greats or just a spark to ignite your next project, these quotes remind you of the impact and significance of thoughtful design.

Yen.com.gh published a comprehensive list of perseverance quotes. These quotes offer wisdom from influential thinkers and leaders and are perfect for anyone looking to stay motivated and push through obstacles.

Whether you need a boost in your personal or professional life, these perseverance quotes will keep you moving forward. They are unique and provide inspiration, resilience, and determination in facing challenges. Learn more about these quotes.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
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Chris Ndetei (Lifestyle writer) Christopher Ndetei is a junior reporter writer who joined the Yen team in May 2021. He graduated from the Machakos Technical College in 2009 with a diploma in ICT. Chris has over two years of experience in content creation and more than ten working in the hospitality industry. He covers lifestyle/entertainment, focusing on biographies, life hacks, gaming and guides. In 2023, Christopher finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach him at chrisndetei@gmail.com