Design Quote by Bill Mollison
“One of the great rules of design is do something basic right. Then everything gets much more right of itself. But if you do something basic wrong - if you make what I call a Type 1 Error - you can get nothing else right.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Permaculture: A Designers' Manual, 1988
Fundamental design errors cascade, while basic correct actions amplify overall quality.
In simple terms: Do basics right, avoid basic mistakes.
Key Takeaway
Master fundamentals before adding complexity.
Themes
design
error management
quality control
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- architecture
- software development
- product design
- education curricula
Key Concepts
systems thinking
feedback loops
Questions to Reflect On
- What basic principles are most critical in your field?
- How do you detect early basic mistakes?
A Different Perspective
Even small basic errors can derail complex systems.
