Dieter Rams, in a speech which he delivered at Jack Lenor Larsen’s New York showroom in December of 1976:
Ladies and gentlemen, design is a popular subject today. No wonder because, in the face of increasing competition, design is often the only product differentiation that is truly discernible to the buyer.
I am convinced that a well-thought-out design is decisive to the quality of a product. A poorly-designed product is not only uglier than a well-designed one but it is of less value and use. Worst of all it might be intrusive.
That was 36 years ago and it’s as relevant as if it had been delivered this morning.