Design Quote by Ros Sutherland
““Interestingly one aspect of a designed tool is that it will inevitably be used in ways which were not anticipated by the designer.””
About This Quote
The quote notes that any designed tool will inevitably be used in unforeseen ways, highlighting the unpredictability of user behavior and the need for flexible design.
In simple terms: Designed tools are used in unexpected ways.
Key Takeaway
Expect and plan for unintended uses.
Themes
design
technology
innovation
unintended use
flexibility
Mood
cautious
forward‑thinking
Type
theoretical
practical
When to use this quote
- product development
- policy regulation
- user training
- market adoption
Key Concepts
human-computer interaction
design thinking
risk management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can designers anticipate misuse?
- What safeguards can be built in?
A Different Perspective
Unforeseen uses can cause ethical or safety issues.
