---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's easy to dismiss design - to relegate…"
description: "\"“It's easy to dismiss design - to relegate it to mere ornament, the prettifying of places and objects to disguise their banality. But that is a serious..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/daniel-h-pink-1532_design_it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate_1277278.png"
---

#  It's easy to dismiss design - to relegate it to mere…

![“It's easy to dismiss design - to relegate it to mere ornament, the prettifying of places and objects to disguise their banality. But that is a serious misunderstanding of what design is and why it matters - especially now.” quote by Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/daniel-h-pink-1532_design_it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate_1277278.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/daniel-h-pink-1532_design_it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate_1277278.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/daniel-h-pink-1532_design_it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate_1277278.png)

> ““It's easy to dismiss design - to relegate it to mere ornament, the prettifying of places and objects to disguise their banality. But that is a serious misunderstanding of what design is and why it matters - especially now.””

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

## About This Quote

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

Design is often reduced to decoration, but it fundamentally shapes meaning and function, especially now.

**In simple terms:** Design is more than ornament; it defines purpose.

Key Takeaway

Recognize design’s deeper impact.

Themes

design meaning function culture

Mood

analytical inspired

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- product development
- urban planning
- branding strategies

Key Concepts

aesthetics human-centered design social impact

Questions to Reflect On

- What responsibilities do designers have?
- How can design address societal issues?

A Different Perspective

Design can be misused for superficial appeal.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Banality Misunderstanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/banality-misunderstanding-4115224/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Design Matters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design-matters-4115222/) [Design Relegate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design-relegate-4115221/) [Dismiss Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dismiss-design-4115223/) [Misunderstanding Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misunderstanding-design-4115220/)

## Related quotes

> [I often say that 'Design Matters' began in February 2005 with an idea and a telephone line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-millman/i-often-say-that-design-matters-began-in-february-2005-with-an-idea/)

[Debbie Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-millman/)

> [Users are not designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jakob-nielsen/users-are-not-designers/)

[Jakob Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jakob-nielsen/)

> [I am not a great believer in dialectical struggle. I am much more of a fusion person. I see it as a dialogue, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-warner/i-am-not-a-great-believer-in-dialectical-struggle-i-am-much-more-of-a/)

[Marina Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-warner/)

> [“Designing posters, for me, is not only a commercial pursuit but also a philosophical endeavor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fang-chen/designing-posters-for-me-is-not-only-a-commercial-pursuit-but-also-a/)

[Fang Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fang-chen/)

> [Design is a very personal thing. It's like art. Your personal choice plays a big role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gauri-khan/design-is-a-very-personal-thing-it-s-like-art-your-personal-choice/)

[Gauri Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gauri-khan/)

> [Programmers are always surrounded by complexity; we cannot avoid it… If our basic tool, the language in which we design and code our programs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hoare/programmers-are-always-surrounded-by-complexity-we-cannot-avoid-it-if/)

[Tony Hoare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hoare/)

> [I design some of my own clothes now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiernan-shipka/i-design-some-of-my-own-clothes-now/)

[Kiernan Shipka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiernan-shipka/)

> [Like many other scientists who hold the Catholic faith, I see the Creator's plan and purpose fulfilled in our universe. I see a planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/like-many-other-scientists-who-hold-the-catholic-faith-i-see-the/)

[Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/)

> [The beauty of New York is unintentional; it arose independent of human design, like a stalagmite cavern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-beauty-of-new-york-is-unintentional-it-arose-independent-of-human/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [Design is not making beauty, beauty emerges from selection, affinities, integration, love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-kahn/design-is-not-making-beauty-beauty-emerges-from-selection-affinities/)

[Louis Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-kahn/)

> [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/)

[Jen-Hsun Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hsun-huang/)

> [The market may never coalesce around one basic design, or even around two or three dominant devices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-market-may-never-coalesce-around-one-basic-design-or-even-around/)

[Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/)

> [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/)

[Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/)

> [Plenty of white space and generous line spacing,and don't make the type size too miserly. Then you will be assured of a product fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giambattista-bodoni/plenty-of-white-space-and-generous-line-spacing-and-don-t-make-the/)

[Giambattista Bodoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giambattista-bodoni/)

> [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

## More by Daniel H. Pink

> [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“morning people to be pleasant, productive folks—“introverted,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/morning-people-to-be-pleasant-productive-folks-introverted/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“tweeters felt active, engaged, and hopeful—generally rose in the morning, plummeted in the afternoon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/tweeters-felt-active-engaged-and-hopeful-generally-rose-in-the/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“The longer it takes for a boss to respond to their e-mails, the less satisfied people are with their leader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-longer-it-takes-for-a-boss-to-respond-to-their-e-mails-the-less/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [For creative tasks, the best approach is often just to hire great people and get out of their way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/for-creative-tasks-the-best-approach-is-often-just-to-hire-great/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“The less evidence of extrinsic motivation during art school, the more success in professional art both several years after graduation and nearly twenty years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-less-evidence-of-extrinsic-motivation-during-art-school-the-more/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [If you look at the very best presidents, the most effective presidents, they were always decent salespeople. Ronald Reagan was an extremely effective salesman,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/if-you-look-at-the-very-best-presidents-the-most-effective-presidents/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“the more they chat and gossip—the more they get done”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-more-they-chat-and-gossip-the-more-they-get-done/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“continuing to think about job demands during breaks may result in strain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/continuing-to-think-about-job-demands-during-breaks-may-result-in/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“The quality of the problem that is found is a forerunner of the quality of the solution that is attained . . .” Getzels concluded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-quality-of-the-problem-that-is-found-is-a-forerunner-of-the/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [When we make progress and get better at something, it is inherently motivating. In order for people to make progress, they have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/when-we-make-progress-and-get-better-at-something-it-is-inherently/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“innovation and creativity are greatest when we are not at our best”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/innovation-and-creativity-are-greatest-when-we-are-not-at-our-best/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“Temporal landmarks slow our thinking, allowing us to deliberate at a higher level and make better decisions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/temporal-landmarks-slow-our-thinking-allowing-us-to-deliberate-at-a/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“Jobs that offer autonomy but little challenge bore us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/jobs-that-offer-autonomy-but-little-challenge-bore-us/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“richest experiences in our lives aren’t when we’re clamoring for validation from others, but when we’re listening to our own voice—doing something that matters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/richest-experiences-in-our-lives-aren-t-when-we-re-clamoring-for/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

[Explore all 230 Daniel H. Pink quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

## More Design quotes

> [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [Plenty of white space and generous line spacing,and don't make the type size too miserly. Then you will be assured of a product fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giambattista-bodoni/plenty-of-white-space-and-generous-line-spacing-and-don-t-make-the/)

[Giambattista Bodoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giambattista-bodoni/)

> [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/)

[Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/)

> [The market may never coalesce around one basic design, or even around two or three dominant devices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-market-may-never-coalesce-around-one-basic-design-or-even-around/)

[Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/)

> [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/)

[Jen-Hsun Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hsun-huang/)

> [Design is not making beauty, beauty emerges from selection, affinities, integration, love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-kahn/design-is-not-making-beauty-beauty-emerges-from-selection-affinities/)

[Louis Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-kahn/)

> [The beauty of New York is unintentional; it arose independent of human design, like a stalagmite cavern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-beauty-of-new-york-is-unintentional-it-arose-independent-of-human/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [Like many other scientists who hold the Catholic faith, I see the Creator's plan and purpose fulfilled in our universe. I see a planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/like-many-other-scientists-who-hold-the-catholic-faith-i-see-the/)

[Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/)

> [I design some of my own clothes now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiernan-shipka/i-design-some-of-my-own-clothes-now/)

[Kiernan Shipka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiernan-shipka/)

> [Programmers are always surrounded by complexity; we cannot avoid it… If our basic tool, the language in which we design and code our programs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hoare/programmers-are-always-surrounded-by-complexity-we-cannot-avoid-it-if/)

[Tony Hoare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hoare/)

> [Design is a very personal thing. It's like art. Your personal choice plays a big role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gauri-khan/design-is-a-very-personal-thing-it-s-like-art-your-personal-choice/)

[Gauri Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gauri-khan/)

> [“Designing posters, for me, is not only a commercial pursuit but also a philosophical endeavor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fang-chen/designing-posters-for-me-is-not-only-a-commercial-pursuit-but-also-a/)

[Fang Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fang-chen/)

> [I am not a great believer in dialectical struggle. I am much more of a fusion person. I see it as a dialogue, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-warner/i-am-not-a-great-believer-in-dialectical-struggle-i-am-much-more-of-a/)

[Marina Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-warner/)

> [Users are not designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jakob-nielsen/users-are-not-designers/)

[Jakob Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jakob-nielsen/)

> [I write the way you might arrange flowers. Not every try works, but each one launches another. Every constraint, even dullness, frees up a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-powers/i-write-the-way-you-might-arrange-flowers-not-every-try-works-but/)

[Richard Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-powers/)

[Browse all 5,563 Design quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“It's easy to dismiss design - to relegate it to mere ornament, the prettifying of places and objects to disguise their banality. But that is a serious misunderstanding of what design is and why it matters - especially now.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Daniel H. Pink"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate-it-to-mere-ornament-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Design"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate-it-to-mere-ornament-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/daniel-h-pink-1532_design_it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate_1277278.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/daniel-h-pink-1532_design_it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate_1277278.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/daniel-h-pink-1532_design_it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate_1277278.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's easy to dismiss design - to relegate it to mere ornament, the prettifying of places and objects to…” — Daniel H. Pink",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Daniel H. Pink",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“It's easy to dismiss design -...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate-it-to-mere-ornament-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/it-s-easy-to-dismiss-design-to-relegate-it-to-mere-ornament-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```