Industrial design is essentially the craft of creating the everyday objects you interact with. Behind each product, there is a designer who has often invested significant thought and care, though the depth and effort behind these designs can vary greatly.
Throughout my years pursuing design, I’ve often found myself deeply questioning: What is good design? While renowned designers have established their principles, even their celebrated philosophies are not without flaw. Yet, these principles are what we are taught—or, alternatively, we are encouraged to design subjectively, as if there’s no absolute standard for what is right or wrong when it comes to design. I find this approach deeply problematic. Though I don’t claim to possess an infallible doctrine of design, I do believe my understanding can serve as a strong foundation.
Admittedly, I have only been designing professionally for a few years. But I have started to put these beliefs into practice, and I hope you, too, will consider them as a way to avoid creating anything in vain. Since my experience is limited, I rely on the fear of the Lord to guide me. It is through His Word and the testimony of His creation that I seek wisdom and discernment, striving to understand what good design truly is.
I believe the Bible provides answers to life’s greatest questions, including how we approach the world around us. Upon careful reflection, I am convinced it applies to every facet of our lives—including design. As the Creator of all things, God is the ultimate source of inspiration and the perfect example from which to derive a design philosophy. His works are undeniably beautiful, purposeful, and awe-inspiring. His portfolio far surpasses any designer who has ever lived. Not even the combined works of Dieter Rams, Karim Rashid, and Jony Ive come close to matching the form, function, and wonder of something as simple as a tree.
In the beginning, God created—and He saw that it was good. The word “good” here, in the original Hebrew, is tovah. More precisely, tovah means good in a godly way. For something to be godly is to be right in the eyes of God. Thus, I look to His creation and His Word to discern what tovah—what godly, righteous design—truly looks like.
This is my understanding of Tovah Design:
Tovah Design Principles offer a framework grounded in purpose, meaning, and faith, emphasizing that design is not just about aesthetics or utility but also about serving a higher calling. These principles reflect the command to love God and our neighbours as it applies to our creative endeavors. For too long our society has skewed towards self-pleasing, self-satisfying, selfish, materialism. Let’s dive deep into these reformed principles of design, to understand their role in shaping tovah—good and godly—design:
Good Design Is Selfless
At its core, good design prioritizes the needs of others over personal ambition or preference. It requires humility and a commitment to serving the user and the community honestly. Selfless design seeks to solve real problems, add value to lives, and meet people where they are. It avoids deception, such as unnecessary complexity or hidden agendas, and stands as a beacon of integrity.
Good Design Is Accessible
Design is for everyone, not just a privileged few. Accessibility means considering the needs of people across all abilities, circumstances, and backgrounds. This includes designing for physical, cognitive, and financial inclusivity. True accessibility reflects the love of God, who made all people in His image, and ensures that design serves as a tool for unity rather than exclusion.
Good Design Promotes Heaven on Earth
Excellence honors God. Good design glorifies Him by striving for innovation and contributing positively to the world. This involves subduing the earth—harnessing its resources responsibly and creatively—for the betterment of humanity. It recognizes design as a form of stewardship and a means of reflecting God’s love through service to others.
Good Design Stewards the Earth
As stewards of God’s creation, we have a responsibility to care for the planet. Good design takes sustainability seriously, incorporating materials and methods that minimize harm. Whether through durable construction, repairability, recyclability, or biodegradability, design should honour God’s creation by ensuring its continued flourishing for future generations.
Good Design Holds Valuable Symbolism
Symbolism and aesthetics are not superficial; it is a function for conveying meaning. Good design incorporates thoughtful, intentional symbols that operate as a function to evoke emotion, which can also be used to tell a story and foster a connection between the user and the object. Like parables in Scripture, the symbolic power of design can communicate deeper truths and values.
Good Design Brings People Together
True design unites rather than divides. It fosters community, collaboration, and understanding while rejecting elitism, status, and barriers. By choosing elements that celebrate shared human experiences, good design reflects the love and unity Christ calls us to embody.
Good Design Is Fully Functional and Thought-through
Practicality and usability are essential. A design must work as intended, meeting the user’s needs with clarity and efficiency. The principle of “form follows function” guides this aspect of Tovah design, ensuring that beauty is not just skin deep but evident in purpose. Though we see a flower and say it is beautiful. It’s design is strictly intentional.
By adhering to these principles, designers align their creative process with the higher purpose of glorifying God and loving their neighbours. These principles are not just ideals but actionable steps rooted in Jesus’ teachings—constants that transcend trends and cultural shifts. By constraining your design by these requirements it creates a narrow yet simple path to creating something similar to the Garden of Eden, or to a similar extent, creation.
