What is good design?
It’s a simple question that demands not-so-simple answers.
To answer it in the most basic way, you have to clarify at least two more basic questions:
* What is “good”?
* And what is “design”?
Only when you get down to the basics may you realize that, sometimes seemingly simple things can be very hard to explain—at least to do it successfully.
Fortunately, Scott Berkun, the author universally recognized for explaining complex things (innovation, project management, public speaking, and remote work) in stylishly concise and universally comprehensible ways, decided to take on the task of explaining good design to everyone.
And he has succeeded wonderfully.
Here’s why.
#1 CONCISE IN WORDS, RICH IN MEANING
It’s short, in a “so good you feel the cool breeze in summer” way.
While the twenty chapters of the book go a long way from explaining the concept of design to making a better world with design, each chapter is merely a few-minute read.
Now here’s something you might have learned from a writing course: it’s very hard to be concise in words AND rich in meaning.
Scott did that in this book, as well as in his previous books, particularly the equally wonderful “The Dance of the Possible: The Mostly Honest Completely Irreverent Guide to Creativity”.
A fast reader might finish the book in under 60 minutes, while there’s a lot to taste, chew on, and think further.
Reading this book, you learn something fast and frequent. And you keep thinking about the implications long after.
#2 EXPLAIN BY EXAMPLE, ARGUE WITH EVIDENCE
Out of twenty chapters, nineteen are topic based, each driven by stories.
From the fire of Notre-Dame cathedral in chapter 1, to “alarm fatigue” in medical facilities in chapter 19, the author makes every one of his key points by immersing you in real histories and backing up with concrete evidence.
It’s easy to understand and remember, and even easier to provoke your thoughts.
#3 BROAD PERSPECTIVES, SHARP FOCUS
From the universal idea of design to the societal impact of design solutions, the author covers a lot of topics in twenty short chapters.
Every chapter builds up your mental muscle towards a deeper understanding of design and its practitioners.
All that you need to see the world through the lens of design, and to act accordingly.
IS THIS A BOOK FOR YOU?
For Everyone:
According to the author himself, this book helps you understand design, while it doesn’t teach you how to be a designer.
It’s the first step to approach design, regardless of your bigger goal.
As a designer I earned my understanding of design over the years, by making embarrassing mistakes and pissing off executives.
I was on the verge of writing such a book myself.
Now I don’t have to. I simply point to /How Design Makes the World/ for anyone in need.
This is the book I absolutely wish I could have read long before my design career.
For Designers and Stakeholders:
This book is a very useful rhetorical weapon for designers, or anyone who wants to make a case for design.
Dozens of memorable stories and thought-provoking examples throughout the book feed you the leverage to propose, argue, defend, or convince around the topic of design.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Chapter 20 gives you a check list to apply what you’ve learned in life, work, and everything in between.
And more! The author has also created a website for all of us to take action, to continue our conversations and learnings.
At the end of day, taking action with what we’ve learned is perhaps the biggest gift this book delivers.
Five star and highly recommended!
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Reviews with images
Really enjoyed this - my second favorite by the author
Discovered this author several years ago while researching Innovation - his book "The Myth of Innovation" continues to be one of my favorite on the topic (tried to meet up with him during a business trip to Seattle - flew out from the east coast partially to meet him and had a scheduled meeting but he blew me off at the last minute so I was down on him for a few years). Regardless - his expertise on both Innovation and Design is impressive and he ability to explain / articulate using layman's terms is fantastic. Most books on this / these topics are academic and high-brow - often written by people who aren't even practitioners of the trade. Berkun is easy to understand and uses real-world examples we're all familiar with to make his point(s). It's a great balance between basics / 101 and some of the more "meat-ier" aspects of design. Not all authors are good at striking a good balance.Some of the reviews here are clearly written by his friends. I've never met the guy - so you can trust this review - I don't give 5 star ratings often but I am for this book.I hope to hear him speak sometime - his website indicates an impressive list of clients / speaking calendar.
Top reviews from other countries
Noah Fang
The Best First Reading to Understand Design for Everyone
Reviewed in Canada on May 16, 2020
Noah Fang
Reviewed in Canada on May 16, 2020
It’s a simple question that demands not-so-simple answers.
To answer it in the most basic way, you have to clarify at least two more basic questions:
* What is “good”?
* And what is “design”?
Only when you get down to the basics may you realize that, sometimes seemingly simple things can be very hard to explain—at least to do it successfully.
Fortunately, Scott Berkun, the author universally recognized for explaining complex things (innovation, project management, public speaking, and remote work) in stylishly concise and universally comprehensible ways, decided to take on the task of explaining good design to everyone.
And he has succeeded wonderfully.
Here’s why.
#1 CONCISE IN WORDS, RICH IN MEANING
It’s short, in a “so good you feel the cool breeze in summer” way.
While the twenty chapters of the book go a long way from explaining the concept of design to making a better world with design, each chapter is merely a few-minute read.
Now here’s something you might have learned from a writing course: it’s very hard to be concise in words AND rich in meaning.
Scott did that in this book, as well as in his previous books, particularly the equally wonderful “The Dance of the Possible: The Mostly Honest Completely Irreverent Guide to Creativity”.
A fast reader might finish the book in under 60 minutes, while there’s a lot to taste, chew on, and think further.
Reading this book, you learn something fast and frequent. And you keep thinking about the implications long after.
#2 EXPLAIN BY EXAMPLE, ARGUE WITH EVIDENCE
Out of twenty chapters, nineteen are topic based, each driven by stories.
From the fire of Notre-Dame cathedral in chapter 1, to “alarm fatigue” in medical facilities in chapter 19, the author makes every one of his key points by immersing you in real histories and backing up with concrete evidence.
It’s easy to understand and remember, and even easier to provoke your thoughts.
#3 BROAD PERSPECTIVES, SHARP FOCUS
From the universal idea of design to the societal impact of design solutions, the author covers a lot of topics in twenty short chapters.
Every chapter builds up your mental muscle towards a deeper understanding of design and its practitioners.
All that you need to see the world through the lens of design, and to act accordingly.
IS THIS A BOOK FOR YOU?
For Everyone:
According to the author himself, this book helps you understand design, while it doesn’t teach you how to be a designer.
It’s the first step to approach design, regardless of your bigger goal.
As a designer I earned my understanding of design over the years, by making embarrassing mistakes and pissing off executives.
I was on the verge of writing such a book myself.
Now I don’t have to. I simply point to /How Design Makes the World/ for anyone in need.
This is the book I absolutely wish I could have read long before my design career.
For Designers and Stakeholders:
This book is a very useful rhetorical weapon for designers, or anyone who wants to make a case for design.
Dozens of memorable stories and thought-provoking examples throughout the book feed you the leverage to propose, argue, defend, or convince around the topic of design.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Chapter 20 gives you a check list to apply what you’ve learned in life, work, and everything in between.
And more! The author has also created a website for all of us to take action, to continue our conversations and learnings.
At the end of day, taking action with what we’ve learned is perhaps the biggest gift this book delivers.
Five star and highly recommended!
Images in this review
Business of Software
Great explanation of why you should care about design and what you can do about it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2021
Business of Software
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2021
Images in this review
Cliente Amazon
How to return the book. The layout does not fit my kindle screen
Reviewed in Spain on June 15, 2020Shubham Periwal
Didn't live up to expectations
Reviewed in Singapore on March 11, 2021
