What makes ‘the design’ good?

The title we put in can be a biennial title. It’s just as generic. Because what discipline is it talking about, at what time does it progresses, and where are we doing it. But our topic is, of course, clothes and fashion.

In fact, in fashion and clothing, the equation is very simple; The clothes that we choose or design have both physical and intangible functions.

We wear clothes for their physical functions, to cover ourselves, to provide warmth, and to store the things we carry. We also wear clothes for intangible functions, we use the clothes we wear as a medium for self-expression, to convey our ideas and values, and ultimately to define the way we are perceived in the world.

Both the physical and intangible functions of clothes are important and impact the way that we use and consume clothes.

The definition of “design” is very abstract and general:

“to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan”

When we dress, we have many decisions to make. We choose the clothes our wardrobe contains, we choose what subset of our wardrobe we wear each day, and we optimize these decisions based on values, aesthetics, price, and other factors.

If we follow; Dieter Rams’ 10 principles of good design are often seen as timeless guidelines for solving any design problem, from product design to user interface design. Invariably, these 10 principles are applicable to fashion.

What makes the design, a good design?

1. Good design is innovative

Technologic, sustainable or stylistic…  It is crucial to design; lighter, thinner, more insulating, more cooling garments in today’s environment. As well as, sustainable fabrics since the accessibility of attractive clothing has led to an increasingly negative environmental impact from fashion consumption. These points are crucial for a good design element. In MarkaLab, we consider all these factors. Every fabric we choose or dream to use is a product of our thinking process. We think innovative, and sustainable and use technology nearly in all of our processes.

2. Good design makes a product useful

A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it. Clothes are useful because they keep us covered (functional), make us feel good (psychological), and make us look good (aesthetic). Different garments make different tradeoffs between these forms of utility. Some garments may sacrifice functionality for aesthetic beauty, some may sacrifice aesthetics for extreme functionality. Consider a piece of clothing’s place on this three-dimensional spectrum when you consider a piece of clothing.

3. Good design is aesthetic

The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because the products we use every day affect our person and our well-being. But only well-executed objects can be beautiful. To dress well is the opposite of being self-centered, you are not only respecting yourself but all others who inhabit your surroundings.

4. Good design is honest

When we dress, we are honest with ourselves. We wear clothes and brands that align with our values and beliefs. For example, we tend to not wear counterfeits and try to pass them off as authentic because it is dishonest. In general, we tend to wear clothes that demonstrate values that are in line with our own values.

5. Good design is long-lasting

While even the most influential and “timeless” designs eventually go out of date, those designs live on in the creative canon and are forever considered by the future work of designers. Designers in all fields perpetually study archives for inspiration, despite past designs being “antiquated”. Subsequent differing takes on outdated designs endlessly revive the same underlying themes. That’s why in MarkaLab, our creative teams strive for quality. We might follow trends but we create our own style and pieces.