Designing Your Legacy With Aesthetic Appeal [Part 3]

This is the third blog in a 10-part series examining how to apply Dieter Rams’ principles of good design to your legacy.

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The third principle in Dieter Rams’ list of good design principles is that of aesthetics.

The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products we use every day affect our person and our well-being.

The word aesthetic is derived from the Greek αἰσθητικός (aisthetikos), meaning "aesthetic, sensitive, sentient, pertaining to sense perception". We need to design our legacies not for outward appearances, but for connecting with others. Too many people confuse a bucket list or a resume with design. A series of accomplishments is not a testimony to one’s life and the foundation of one’s legacy. Our legacies should provide value to others, not be a spotlight on ourselves. Our legacies should touch others with encouragement and edification.

The eyes are the window to the soul. In this sense, our legacies should be pleasing to the eyes in order that we may enrich souls.