I recently came across a Smashing Magazine article highlighting the Design Hierarchy of Needs. It is a model, adapted from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which suggests that in order for a design to be successful, it first must meet people’s basic needs before it can satisfy higher level needs.1
The Design Hierarchy of Needs (credits to Smashing Magazine)
In truth, I do not agree with the Design Hierarchy of Needs, as it is too vague to say that being “creative” is the culmination of a successfully designed artifact or product. I would argue that bringing meaning to people’s lives, and serving a greater good through design is a little more akin to Maslow’s description of “Self-Actualization,” and a definition with which I am far more comfortable.
Nonetheless, the article walks through the levels of the hierarchy and provides examples. You can check it out to draw your own conclusions. It is good to know that this “Universal Design Principle” exists, but I personally don’t see myself using this model as a barometer of success for my projects. Although, if you do apply this hierarchy to your work, and find it helpful, I’d love to hear more about it…feel free to comment below!
(“The Design Hierarchy of Needs” is the 14th of 125 universal principles of design that I will cover this year.)
References
1. Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, Jill Butler, Rockport Publishers, 2010, p. 124-125.
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