Andy Rutledge on Redesign Competitions

His opening analogy is good, too, but this is the core of his argument against design competitions:

The results of redesign competitions support the idea that design is nothing more than decoration or eye-candy. How could it indicate otherwise? Design is a process that begins with research and discovery. Every aspect of the client’s needs, aims and desires, along with the brand’s needs, context and purpose; in addition to the current and desired target audience’s expectations, needs, desires, culture, etc…. MUST be weighed, measured and considered thoroughly before any design solution can present itself.

In other words, redecoration is not redesign (and Slashdot’s recent contest was clearly a redecoration contest, not a redesign contest).

★ Wednesday, 7 June 2006