On (Design) Bullshit

On (Design) Bullshit
by Michael Bierut

"I don't know, I just like it that way." So many times in my life as a designer I wish that I could have used that to explain my decisions behind certain elements. This reading was very amusing and very relative to many designers, if not all of them. I know many, many times I have bullshitted many reasons why I designed a certain poster or package the way I did.

Now it just seems like another phase of designing. I think to myself when designing, "Why am I using a circle on this logo rather than a square?" Then I work it out in my brain:

A circle. A circle is round. It represents unity, continuation and symmetry. A circle will work for this company because it represents all these things. This way, the logo will be seen as "everlasting" and highly representative of the company I am designing it for because they are a strong and long-lasting company.

But when you think about it, it's still just a circle. It's the art of being able to denote and connote the correct ideas with the subject to become a great bullshitter.