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Design as a Double-Edged Sword: Between Beauty, Function, and the Potential for Deception
The field of design can often be likened to a knife. Its function heavily depends on the intention of the user. A knife in the hands of a skilled chef creates delicious meals, but in the hands of a criminal, it can take a life. This is roughly the core of our reflection on the power of design in shaping perceptions and the reality around us.
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My own experience while working in the electronic home appliances industry provided a striking perspective on this. There, I witnessed firsthand how product design, instead of being purely oriented towards honest function and aesthetics, was sometimes directed at “tricking” the eyes of potential buyers. Consider the example of an audio compo. The speaker section was often designed in such a way as to appear powerful, with an exaggerated physical size, a grill that emphasized false elements, and even dramatic LED lighting. All these elements worked together to create an illusion of superior quality and performance in the eyes of potential buyers, which might not be fully reflected in the actual audio capabilities. This personal experience made me realize how design, with its remarkable ability to influence perception and emotion, can be misused.
