Skip to content

The public is more familiar with bad design than good…

“The public is more familiar with bad design than good design. It is, in effect, conditioned to prefer bad design, because that is what it lives with. The new becomes threatening, the old reassuring.” quote by Paul Rand
Download Open image
“The public is more familiar with bad design than good design. It is, in effect, conditioned to prefer bad design, because that is what it lives with. The new becomes threatening, the old reassuring.”

Paul Rand

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People are accustomed to poor design, making new, better designs feel threatening.

In simple terms: Bad design is familiar; new design feels scary.

Key Takeaway

Educate audiences to appreciate good design.

Themes

design psychology habit innovation

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

design psychology

When to use this quote

  • product launches
  • branding
  • user experience
  • market research

Key Concepts

visual communication cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can designers shift public preference?
  • What strategies help introduce innovative design?
A Different Perspective

Changing habits is slow and costly.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Paul Rand

Explore all 45 Paul Rand quotes

More Design quotes

Browse all 5,563 Design quotes