04/22/2026
"Design is not subjective." — Massimo Vignelli, world renowned Italian modernist designer
Proportion, hierarchy, contrast—these are not opinions. They're principles.
Good design follows structure. Bad design ignores it and calls it "creative freedom."
Here's the hard truth: When someone says "design is subjective," they're usually defending a choice they can't explain.
Your logo should work at 2 inches and 20 feet. Your typography should be readable. Your layout should guide the eye where you want it to go. These aren't matters of taste. They're fundamentals.
You can like or dislike a color palette. But a hierarchy that doesn't work? That's not subjective. That's just broken.
Design has rules. Good designers know when to follow them and when to break them intentionally. Bad design just breaks them accidentally and hopes no one notices.