Why Design Matters: A Guide to Saving the World (Or at Least Making It Look Better)

By Kriti Kusum, Faculty at SSPAD

Alright, let’s get something straight. Design isn’t just about making things pretty. Sure, pretty is nice, but design is like the secret sauce of the world—the invisible glue that holds society together. It’s the reason your phone doesn’t look like a brick from the 90s, why your favorite chair doesn’t double as a medieval torture device, and why you don’t accidentally send your Mom a “wrong emoji” instead of a heart. (Seriously, she still hasn’t forgiven me for that one).

But really, why does design matter? Buckle up, folks, because we’re diving headfirst into why good design is the most underrated superhero of our modern age.

Bad Design is the Worst

Let’s start with a universal truth: bad design ruins everything. Don’t believe me? Remember the last time you tried to open a door by pushing it, only to realize you were supposed to pull? That’s bad design. And yes, it’s also a mild humiliation in public.

Or those microwaves with 20 buttons, and all you want to do is heat your leftover pizza? Who needs a degree in rocket science to figure out how to cook something for 30 seconds?

This is why design matters—it saves us from embarrassment, rage-quitting our appliances, and public meltdowns. Good design makes life easier, smoother, and, dare I say, more enjoyable. It’s the unsung hero of everyday functionality.

Good Design Can Make You Look Cooler (And Smarter)

Let’s face it, we all want to look like we’ve got our act together. And nothing screams “I’m winning at life” quite like showing up to class with a sleek, well-designed laptop or the perfect reusable water bottle that says, “Yes, I care about the planet, and I do it in style.”

Design matters because it reflects who we are (or at least who we want to be). When something is well-designed, it’s like putting on a pair of glasses—suddenly, you seem more put-together, more thoughtful, and possibly on the verge of being the next big thing on Instagram. Even if in reality, you’re just really into The Great British Bake Off and struggle to find matching socks.

Without Designers, the World Would Be... Uglier

Imagine a world where everything was just… meh. No sleek iPhones, no vibrant billboards, no funky fonts that make your coffee shop menu look so artisanal (even if you don’t know what half the drinks are). Everything would be a monotonous shade of beige. Yikes!

Designers are the artists, problem-solvers, and dreamers who take the world from bland to bold. They make sure our apps don’t give us migraines, our sneakers feel like walking on clouds, and our public spaces are, you know, usable.

The design makes the world not just functional but fun. It’s the reason you’re drawn to that eye-catching cereal box or why you spend way too much time picking the right emoji to sum up your mood.

Design Is the Ultimate Icebreaker

Design also matters because it’s one of the few things everyone can bond over. Ever been in a conversation that’s dying faster than your phone battery on 2%? Just bring up a bad logo redesign or the latest gadget with a ridiculous number of features no one asked for, and watch the conversation come to life.

We all interact with design every day—whether we know it or not—and everyone has an opinion on design importance. You might not know how UX principles work, but you know when an app makes you want to throw your phone out the window. That’s why design is always a great talking point, and let’s be real, who doesn’t want to sound smart while complaining about poorly designed parking signs?

Design Has Real-World Superpowers

Okay, jokes aside, the design does have some serious real-world power. Designers solve problems. Not just the “my coffee cup doesn’t fit in my car’s cup holder” kind of problems, but big problems. Environmental sustainability, accessibility, and social justice—design touches all these areas.

Take sustainable design. That funky bamboo toothbrush you love? That’s a designer thinking about how to reduce waste while keeping your teeth clean. Or UX design: ever tried navigating a website without a clear structure? (If you have, I hope you made it out okay.) UX designers make sure that people of all abilities can navigate the web, access information, and use apps without throwing their hands up in defeat.

In short, good design can make the world a better place. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about solving problems, making life easier, and making sure everyone gets a fair shot at engaging with the world.

Designers = Secret Psychologists

Don’t be fooled—designers are wizards of the human brain. Ever wonder why certain products make you feel so good? Or why some websites are just... satisfying to click through? That’s design psychology at work. Designers understand human behavior (at least, better than your ex did), and they know how to tweak elements like color, shape, and layout to influence how we feel and what we do.

Next time you instinctively hit “add to cart” or feel inexplicably calm while navigating a beautifully minimalist app, you can thank the designers who know exactly how to push your buttons (in a good way).

So, Why Does Design Matter?

Design matters because it’s everywhere. It’s the reason you don’t trip over your shoes (good design), why you smile when you see a fun logo (great design), and why you’re not sitting in a dark cave eating raw food with your hands (amazing design evolution).

As students at SSPAD the best design schools, you’re not just learning to “make things look nice.” You’re learning to shape the world—from digital interfaces that feel like second nature to products that make life better and spaces that breathe life into the everyday. Design is how we connect, how we express ourselves, and ultimately, how we change the world.

So, the next time someone asks why design matters, hit them with this: Design isn’t just what makes life prettier. It’s what makes life possible (and so much less frustrating).