Will Gibbons explains in this article what we can learn from some great designers. The responsibilities of the key players among industrial designers begin with how they want products to be seen and how they should feel and behave. Some of today's most recognised industrial designers are Marc Newson, Karim Rashid, Philippe Starck, Tom Dixon and James Dyson. Each of these designers is extraordinarily successful for a reason, and these extraordinary qualities are not an accident. All of them had unique backgrounds and experiences before they reached this position. Can we learn the best ways out from them? Which qualities can make a designer a better designer? This list may give you a chance.

01. Observation

The greatest qualities of great designers are first and foremost being curious, taking everything into consideration and even taking notes and observing things others overlook. The most special moment a designer loves is when they search for solutions to compensate for poor design they see. When you find shortcomings in a product in an underserved market; seeing a new focal point, combining it with new technology or seeing an active opportunity to redefine it can be the golden seed of your great design. Observation is the most primitive and pure form of research. Research provides you with actions to fulfil your purpose. Designers observe.  

02. Listening

Designers are listeners. As Shakespeare wrote, "Give every man your ear, but few your voice". In fact, by listening, by truly understanding what is important from others rather than from the design itself, by listening to the matters even when you know the design, you can produce a flawless and the best design. When there is an inflated ego or no tendency to listen, it can lead to not understanding the customer's need or to a good design that is meant to be told not coming out. A good designer should be able to listen with their other matters and be sure that this product really delivers on what people need and that they spend their money on this product. Good designers listen.  

03. Desire

Great designers are eager to develop design standards in their own observations and drawings. Whether as human behaviour, or as a poor design or a new design that is needed, it is necessary to be eager to develop, either already existing or after the evolution of design. Desires sustain actions. The good Designer is eager for development and change.

04. Context

Great designers understand context. Context is the means by which we are enabled to make sense of what is to be done. Context contains the details that allow us to decide whether something is relevant. The context given to a problem unrelated to a particular content does not provide a good solution to all of them. For example, a tin-can opener can be a literal life-saver in some situations, but it is useless if you need to see in the dark. In this case, a flashlight makes more sense. A good designer needs to design suitable solutions by considering the context in which the product will be used. Good designers understand context.  

05. Solutions

Designers are responsible for finding solutions. All this observation and listening will be in vain unless it provides a path to a solution. When a good designer has a good purpose or objective, it is not difficult to design a solution to the existing problem. In most cases, design solutions must be presented for problems. People pay for this. If the design produced does not solve the problem, it is generally accepted as a poor design. Good designers find solutions.

06. Communication

Without communication, solutions remain only in the designer's mind and never have a chance to make a positive impact on the world. Good Designers communicate by drawing, making models, using a computer, writing, speaking and using other tools. Communication skills bring a concept to life by working with a team and make it vital and understandable. Good designers are good communicators.

07. Integration

A good designer integrates their ideas into life with their demographic targets, by integrating various technologies and solution aspects, and at the same time turns it into a product. The design on an integrated basis must be understandable in its context and adaptable to the end user as it stands. Good Design is quickly adopted by customers and integrated into life. A good designer understands integration well.  

08. Care / Consideration

Good designers consider the environmental and economic impact their designs will have on others. It is known that green design is a term used for designers, and that reducing the impact on the environment in design is a priority. Together with manufacturing, all that they will do about the applications, when generally designed, must examine the consequences they bring. Good designers know to be careful for those who can be affected in design.  

09. Independent (according to the rules)

Good designers are unattached to rules. Designers must understand social behaviours, expectations and production limitations, and design applications with marketing and other aspects. With this, instead of being limited by beliefs, they are open to solutions for problems where the precedents and expectations are less obvious. A good designer faithfully asks themselves "What if?" or "Why not?" rather than whether the solution will or will not be. Designers often examine the rules in the guide. This freedom of thought is how creativity emerges. Good designers are independent of their rules.

My Final Thoughts

Good designers are about having an understanding of the world around us. With this, you seek solutions to real problems and have a desire to make the world a better place. Good designers share their ideas and know how to make them happen. Good Designers offer integrated, sensitive designs in the world with the solutions they themselves create. Good designers focus on how and why some things may or may not work. Good designers are opportunists, they are change-resolvers, they are creative through their experiences.