Principles of Good Design and Social Design

Abstract

Throughout history designers, historians and critics have made their views known on a range of issues, or rather fundamental points that remain intrinsic to the practice of design, which we consider in this paper to be “criteria for good design”, more specifically those which have always aimed to bring about a better world for all, and thus constitute the basis of social design. In order to justify the conclusions of this research, we have drawn upon a series of theoretical contributions and examples of “good design”, and have categorised them into three fundamental principles that design should possess, specifically a design should be: honest, ethical and easy to use and understand. The paper tries to provide various aspects that help designers to reflect upon their practice in order to continue producing “good design” for society.