If there's something worth doing...

'Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.' -Shaker design philosphy

Generally, things like this are reserved for Twitter. But, because it's more than 140 characters, I'm posting it here. I've read this quote in a few different locations. But I came across it this morning at Jeremy Mitchell's blog and it hit me square in the face today. 

There's two things that I love about this quote as it pertains to design. First, the obvious ones: The encouragement, even, the charge, to make the transfer of information (print, web, or otherwise) a beautiful experience. This may sound strange, but I need beautiful things around me. Not to be confused with expensive things, and not in a materialistic sort of way. Simply, in the way that the color of a wall will make or break a workspace. Or, in the way that a well-tailored shirt will cause me design a better website. Granted, this does force me to pay a little more at times for the quality aesthetic. But the ROI on that investment greatly exceeds the cost.

For some people, the need for aesthetic never crosses their mind. Sure, they can recognize when something looks pretty or ugly, but that's as deep as it goes. There's no appreciation or need for the beauty. It's not about the form. It's all about the function. Does this teapot boil water? Yep. Then I'll buy it. Then there's me: Does this teapot boil water? Yep. So does this other one. And it's got a gorgeous shape and comes in this amazing blue color. (Yes, this is my teapot.)

The second obvious one is what this quote tells us NOT to do: Waste our time. Generally, we're encouraged to be good stewards of our money. Be frugal. Don't buy in excess. Save, save, save. But, in this case, we're told to be stewards of our time and skills. If it's not going to be useful, don't waste your time. If you're going to have to deal with a difficult client, decline the project. 

The same can be said for our leisure time. If the time spent doing whatever it is we're doing, poking around the internet or watching t.v., is not going to be edifying, it's not worth your time. 

On to the third facet of this quote that I love so much...

The Shakers have been around for over 250 years. The fact that this quote reaches across 2 1/2 centuries and is still applicable reminds me that design and aesthetic is not a new concept. Generations of people have all appreciated beauty from it's simplest untouched form to the most ornate and elaborate designs.

We are driven by what we see. We've been created this way in God's image. All we have to do is look at the color palettes of every season to see that our Creator puts an emphasis on visual beauty.

If there is something worth doing, do it beautifully.