--- title: "20 Design Quotes By Edward Tufte" description: "20 Design quotes by Edward Tufte. Plus more from Edward Tufte and more Design sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/edward-tufte-10613_clear_good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking_624350.jpg" --- > [Good design is a lot like clear thinking made visual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking-made-visual/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/edward-tufte-10613_clear_good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking_624350.jpg) > [Simple design, intense content.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/simple-design-intense-content/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/edward-tufte-10613_consciousness_simple-design-intense-content-2065460_2065460.jpg) > [A metaphor for good information design is a map. Hold any diagram against a map and see how it compares.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/a-metaphor-for-good-information-design-is-a-map-hold-any-diagram/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/edward-tufte-10613_compare_a-metaphor-for-good-information-design-i_684186.jpg) > [Clutter is not a property of information. Clutter is a failure of design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/clutter-is-not-a-property-of-information-clutter-is-a-failure-of/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea2/edward-tufte-10613_clutter_clutter-is-not-a-property-of-information_2159202.jpg) > [Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/clutter-and-confusion-are-failures-of-design-not-attributes-of/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/177/edward-tufte-10613_attributes_clutter-and-confusion-are-failures-of-de_195292.jpg) > [If your words aren't truthful, the finest optically letter-spaced typography won't help,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-your-words-aren-t-truthful-the-finest-optically-letter-spaced/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe5/edward-tufte-10613_design_if-your-words-aren-t-truthful-the-finest_3019199.jpg) > [The essential test of design is how well it assists the understanding of the content, not how stylish it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-essential-test-of-design-is-how-well-it-assists-the-understanding/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e0/edward-tufte-10613_design_the-essential-test-of-design-is-how-well_662513.jpg) > [Great design is not democratic; it comes from great designers. If the standard is lousy, then develop another standard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/great-design-is-not-democratic-it-comes-from-great-designers-if-the/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c3/edward-tufte-10613_democratic_great-design-is-not-democratic-it-comes_979739.jpg) > [The commonality between science and art is in trying to see profoundly - to develop strategies of seeing and showing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-commonality-between-science-and-art-is-in-trying-to-see/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a92/edward-tufte-10613_art_the-commonality-between-science-and-art_1383474.jpg) > [Beautiful Evidence is about the theory and practice of analytical design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/beautiful-evidence-is-about-the-theory-and-practice-of-analytical/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28e/edward-tufte-10613_analytical_beautiful-evidence-is-about-the-theory-a_3195228.jpg) > [Design isn't crafting a beautiful, textured button with breathtaking animation. It's figuring out if there's a way to get rid of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/design-isn-t-crafting-a-beautiful-textured-button-with-breathtaking/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/edward-tufte-10613_animation_design-isn-t-crafting-a-beautiful-textur_3216145.jpg) > [There is no such thing as information overload, just bad design. If something is cluttered and/or confusing, fix your design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/there-is-no-such-thing-as-information-overload-just-bad-design-if/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4af/edward-tufte-10613_cluttered_there-is-no-such-thing-as-information-ov_801505.jpg) > [I do believe that there are some universal cognitive tasks that are deep and profound - indeed, so deep and profound that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/i-do-believe-that-there-are-some-universal-cognitive-tasks-that-are/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c86/edward-tufte-10613_accord_i-do-believe-that-there-are-some-univers_2524736.jpg) > [Clutter is not an attribute of information, clutter is a failure of design...fix the design rather than stripping all the detail out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/clutter-is-not-an-attribute-of-information-clutter-is-a-failure-of/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/444/edward-tufte-10613_attributes_clutter-is-not-an-attribute-of-informati_2279962.jpg) > [Confusion and clutter are failures of design, not attributes of information. And so the point is to find design strategies that reveal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/confusion-and-clutter-are-failures-of-design-not-attributes-of/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/edward-tufte-10613_attributes_confusion-and-clutter-are-failures-of-de_265574.jpg) > [Here's the general theory: To clarify, add detail. Imagine that. To clarify, add detail. And clutter and overload are not an attribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/here-s-the-general-theory-to-clarify-add-detail-imagine-that-to/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18a/edward-tufte-10613_add_here-s-the-general-theory-to-clarify-add_129275.jpg) > [What is to be sought in designs for the display of information is the clear portrayal of complexity. Not the complication of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/what-is-to-be-sought-in-designs-for-the-display-of-information-is-the/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/edward-tufte-10613_access_what-is-to-be-sought-in-designs-for-the_1578001.jpg) > [If there is a well thought-out design standard, it should be followed. In practice, great design comes from great designers. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-there-is-a-well-thought-out-design-standard-it-should-be-followed/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/edward-tufte-10613_cases_if-there-is-a-well-thought-out-design-st_63446.jpg) > [Good design is clear thinking made visible, bad design is stupidity made visible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/good-design-is-clear-thinking-made-visible-bad-design-is-stupidity/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/253/edward-tufte-10613_clear_good-design-is-clear-thinking-made-visib_2813741.jpg) > [“If the statistics are boring, then you've got the wrong numbers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-the-statistics-are-boring-then-you-ve-got-the-wrong-numbers/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/edward-tufte-10613_data_if-the-statistics-are-boring-then-you-ve_586732.jpg) ## Other authors on Design - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b014/author-jonathan-ive-52913.jpg) Jonathan Ive 53 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/jonathan-ive/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b016/author-marcel-wanders-63215.jpg) Marcel Wanders 33 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/marcel-wanders/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b008/author-donald-a-norman-29941.jpg) Donald A. Norman 27 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/donald-a-norman/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b019/author-paula-scher-74292.jpg) Paula Scher 26 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/paula-scher/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b017/author-michael-bierut-66945.jpg) Michael Bierut 25 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/michael-bierut/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b022/author-steve-jobs-87290.jpg) Steve Jobs 24 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/steve-jobs/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b004/author-artie-shaw-15086.jpg) Dieter Rams 22 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/dieter-rams/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b006/author-christian-louboutin-23713.jpg) Christian Louboutin 21 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/christian-louboutin/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b017/author-massimo-vignelli-65319.jpg) Massimo Vignelli 20 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/massimo-vignelli/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b013/author-john-maeda-51870.jpg) John Maeda 20 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/john-maeda/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b010/author-gauri-khan-37099.jpg) Gauri Khan 20 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/gauri-khan/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b024/author-van-day-truex-93128.jpg) Van Day Truex 19 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/van-day-truex/) ## More by Edward Tufte > [If you’re told what to look for, you can’t see anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-you-re-told-what-to-look-for-you-can-t-see-anything-else/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [“Comparisons must be enforced within the scope of the eyespan, a fundamental point occasionally forgotten in practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/comparisons-must-be-enforced-within-the-scope-of-the-eyespan-a/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [If there is a well thought-out design standard, it should be followed. In practice, great design comes from great designers. That is empirically the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-there-is-a-well-thought-out-design-standard-it-should-be-followed/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [The point of the essay is to change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-point-of-the-essay-is-to-change-things/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [Here's the general theory: To clarify, add detail. Imagine that. To clarify, add detail. And clutter and overload are not an attribute of information,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/here-s-the-general-theory-to-clarify-add-detail-imagine-that-to/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [My idea here is that, inasmuch as certain cognitive tasks and principles are tied to nature's laws, these tasks and principles are indifferent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/my-idea-here-is-that-inasmuch-as-certain-cognitive-tasks-and/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/clutter-and-confusion-are-failures-of-design-not-attributes-of/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [Confusion and clutter are failures of design, not attributes of information. And so the point is to find design strategies that reveal detail and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/confusion-and-clutter-are-failures-of-design-not-attributes-of/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [We've drifted into this presentation mode without realizing the cost to the content and the audience in the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/we-ve-drifted-into-this-presentation-mode-without-realizing-the-cost/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [If your words or images are not on point, making them dance in color won't make them relevant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-your-words-or-images-are-not-on-point-making-them-dance-in-color/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [I hope that I am generous and tolerant, but certainly on the intellectual side I think that there are discoverable truths, and some things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/i-hope-that-i-am-generous-and-tolerant-but-certainly-on-the/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [“If the statistics are boring, then you've got the wrong numbers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-the-statistics-are-boring-then-you-ve-got-the-wrong-numbers/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [Good design is a lot like clear thinking made visual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking-made-visual/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [I think it is important for software to avoiding imposing a cognitive style on workers and their work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/i-think-it-is-important-for-software-to-avoiding-imposing-a-cognitive/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [The essential test of design is how well it assists the understanding of the content, not how stylish it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-essential-test-of-design-is-how-well-it-assists-the-understanding/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/edward-tufte/#itemlist", "name": "20 Design Quotes By Edward Tufte", "numberOfItems": 20, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Good design is a lot like clear thinking made visual.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Tufte" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking-made-visual/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/edward-tufte-10613_clear_good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking_624350.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/edward-tufte-10613_clear_good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking_624350.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/edward-tufte-10613_clear_good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking_624350.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Good design is a lot like clear thinking made visual.” — Edward Tufte", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Simple design, intense content.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Tufte" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/simple-design-intense-content/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/edward-tufte-10613_consciousness_simple-design-intense-content-2065460_2065460.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/edward-tufte-10613_consciousness_simple-design-intense-content-2065460_2065460.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/edward-tufte-10613_consciousness_simple-design-intense-content-2065460_2065460.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Simple design, intense content.” — Edward Tufte", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A metaphor for good information design is a map. 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It's figuring out if there's a way to get rid of the button altogether.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Tufte" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/design-isn-t-crafting-a-beautiful-textured-button-with-breathtaking/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/edward-tufte-10613_animation_design-isn-t-crafting-a-beautiful-textur_3216145.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/edward-tufte-10613_animation_design-isn-t-crafting-a-beautiful-textur_3216145.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/edward-tufte-10613_animation_design-isn-t-crafting-a-beautiful-textur_3216145.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Design isn't crafting a beautiful, textured button with breathtaking animation. 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And so the point is to find design strategies that reveal detail and complexity - rather than to fault the data for an excess of complication. Or, worse, to fault viewers for a lack of understanding.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Tufte" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/confusion-and-clutter-are-failures-of-design-not-attributes-of/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/edward-tufte-10613_attributes_confusion-and-clutter-are-failures-of-de_265574.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/edward-tufte-10613_attributes_confusion-and-clutter-are-failures-of-de_265574.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/edward-tufte-10613_attributes_confusion-and-clutter-are-failures-of-de_265574.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Confusion and clutter are failures of design, not attributes of information. 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If the information is in chaos, don't start throwing out information, instead fix the design.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Tufte" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/here-s-the-general-theory-to-clarify-add-detail-imagine-that-to/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18a/edward-tufte-10613_add_here-s-the-general-theory-to-clarify-add_129275.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18a/edward-tufte-10613_add_here-s-the-general-theory-to-clarify-add_129275.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18a/edward-tufte-10613_add_here-s-the-general-theory-to-clarify-add_129275.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Here's the general theory: To clarify, add detail. Imagine that. To clarify, add detail. 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Not the complication of the simple; rather the task of the designer is to give visual access to the subtle and the difficult - that is, revelation of the complex.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Tufte" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/what-is-to-be-sought-in-designs-for-the-display-of-information-is-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/edward-tufte-10613_access_what-is-to-be-sought-in-designs-for-the_1578001.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/edward-tufte-10613_access_what-is-to-be-sought-in-designs-for-the_1578001.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/edward-tufte-10613_access_what-is-to-be-sought-in-designs-for-the_1578001.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What is to be sought in designs for the display of information is the clear portrayal of complexity. 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