“If there’s a simple, easy design principle that binds everything together, it’s probably about starting with the people.”
My understanding
Throughout my journey in design and life, this quote has become a fundamental truth. When I start any project or consider any solution, I’ve learned that the answer almost always lies in understanding the people involved. Technical brilliance or aesthetic beauty means little if it doesn’t connect with human needs and experiences.
I’ve seen many projects fail because they began with technology or business metrics rather than human understanding. Starting with people isn’t just about user research or demographics. It’s about genuine empathy, about truly understanding hopes, fears, frustrations, and daily realities.
The beauty of this principle lies in its simplicity, but don’t mistake simplicity for easiness. Starting with people requires patience, humility, and the willingness to challenge our assumptions. It means spending time observing, listening, and often discovering that our initial ideas about what people need were completely wrong.
This quote reminds me that the most elegant solutions often emerge when we resist the urge to jump straight to answers and instead spend time understanding the human context first. Whether I’m designing a website, writing content, or solving a personal problem, beginning with people has never steered me wrong.
Source
Shared at a K-12 edu conference by Bill Moggridge, a prominent figure in the field of design and co-founder of the design firm IDEO.
Reminds me
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From Dieter Rams, “Limit everything to the essential, but do not remove the poetry.”
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“A fool with a tool is still a fool.” I don’t know who said that, but it reminds me that tools, no matter how advanced, don’t replace knowledge or skill.
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From John Maeda, “The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction.”