About // Design

What makes design "good"? In fact, what does "good" mean? And who should judge? In our view, these questions are valid, but there is no one answer.

What we do believe, is that there are some fundamental criteria to assess design. Here are some of the principles we deem critical, which we apply to our own work.

Design does not make up for functionality that does not work. But when the two are engaged in a dance that combines pleasing features with the accomplishment of activity to deliver the desired outcome, the user can indeed be delighted, just like the book says.
The "i" word is often used, but infrequently achieved. Innovation in design is a majestic aspiration that requires fierce tenacity and even then can be elusive. But oh the satisfaction when design can solve old problems in new ways.
We believe, design needs to be underscored by logic. That doesn't mean the doors to inspiration and spontaneous invention are closed, it simply means design is not just for design's sake. That may the at the heart of some of your Museum's assets, but we are about the commercial applications of design; some of the parameters must be business drivers.

Design will be judged by a variety of stakeholders, internal and external to your operation: you and the Museum's management team, your customers, your employees, your partners and suppliers, the media, your Board. Every individual will have a personal reaction to what we together bring to life, and a view as to whether it reflects your brand in whole or in part, or perhaps not at all.

We will strive to meet this challenge in a number of ways, working with you to understand the design principles you profess, and the context in which you state them. Only through building interpersonal relationships can the challenges of expressing your ambitions in design terms be met.