“Art is an idea that has found its perfect visual expression. And design is the vehicle by which this expression is made possible. Art is a noun, and design is a noun and also a verb. Art is a product and design is a process. Design is the foundation of all the arts.” – Paul Rand

The original source of this Paul Rand quote is unknown.

1. A work of art is realized when form and content are indistinguishable
2. The importance of aesthetic in design
3. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union

“A work of art is realized when form and content are indistinguishable. When they are in synthesis. In other words, when they fuse. When form predominates, meaning is blunted… When content predominates, interest lags.” – Paul Rand

This quote is from an interview by Preston McLanahan who interviewed Paul Rand in 1996.  Watch a clip from this interview here.

1. Design is the foundation of all the arts
2. The importance of aesthetic in design
3. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union

“Simplicity is not the goal. It is the by-product of a good idea and modest expectations.” – Paul Rand

Find more articles, interviews, and videos from Paul Rand here.

1. Simplicity is not a matter of dumbing things down. Simplicity is when someone takes care of the details.
2. Simplicity vs. Clarity
3. There is a delicate balance between the simplicity of use and the complexity of usefulness

“Without aesthetic, design is either the humdrum repetition of familiar clichés or a wild scramble for novelty. Without the aesthetic, the computer is but a mindless speed machine, producing effects without substance. Form without relevant content, or content without meaningful form.” – Paul Rand

Read more about the brilliant graphic designer Paul Rand here.

1. A work of art is realized when form and content are indistinguishable
2. Design is more than the aesthetic. Design is fundamentally more.
3. Design is the foundation of all the arts

“To design is much more than simply to assemble, to order, or even to edit; it is to add value and meaning, to illuminate, to simplify, to clarify, to modify, to dignify, to dramatize, to persuade, and perhaps even to amuse.” – Paul Rand

Read Joshua Porter’s thoughts on this quote on his blog here.

1. Simplicity is the by-product of a good idea and modest expectations
2. Perfection is achieved when there is nothing left to take away
3. Sites that embrace natural elegance add an element of personal feeling