It is surprising how often good design equals obscurity. When something fulfils its purpose well, we seldom think about the person behind that design. There are exceptions to this such as Jonathan Ive at Apple and James Dyson with his Dyson vacuum cleaners. It does help though if you name the company after yourself.
Even in these cases I would argue that the personalities are still recognised much later than the product. It is debatable how many people sat and thought “Who was behind this design?”. Even now, Ive’s name is far less recognisable than that of the late Steve Jobs.
Unsung hero
It was watching Margaret Calvert on a re-run of the motoring show Top Gear that really drew my attention to the plight of the near-anonymous designer. She was behind the lettering used in British road signs for the last 50 years known as Transport typeface. Her manner on the show was unassuming and she clearly wishing she was somewhere other than in James May’s spotlight.
Taken in isolation, Transport font is unremarkable yet instantly recognisable to road users in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Greece and the Middle East. The fact that the typeface and UK roadsigns have changed little in half a century is testament to a design that works. This was no coincidence. The design team spent many hours in the field recording what lettering would be clearly visible at distance, at speed, in poor light. This showed remarkable dedication for a team working in a government department.
Good design needs no explanation
So to be a good designer it seems you need to be heard through your designs without appearing to say much. This principle can apply whether we talk about household appliances, road signs, phone apps or websites. If you have to explain it then you are talking too much and the design is not working for you.
Good designers communicate well
They can sell their design ideas when they are little more than ideas.
Good designers communicate sparingly
Good designers believe less is more and that the design should be able to speak for itself. The design should get out of its own way and just function.
Good design takes time
Unfortunately getting to a good design takes time, effort and focus, which is unlikely to be fully recognised unless it causes problems. And while everyone is busy using their legible road signs, a designer will just have to resign themselves to quiet satisfaction.