When it comes to design matters, aesthetics, observe and study the details. The details is what makes something beautiful and great.

For example, when it comes to car design, I am a fanatic about the details. And for example, the reason why I really do not like the Tesla model Y and the Tesla model X is because of all the superfluous plastic material around the wheel well. To me, this tiny design thing drives me crazy. It is insane how such a small detail like having extra plastic pieces that I aesthetically do not like will make me hate a Design.

Or another example, I really want to like the Tesla model S design, but subtle things I don’t like about it. For example, I do not like the Tesla T emblem in the front nose of the car. To me, it takes away from the purity of the design. Also, in the back of the car, I do not like how the word Tesla is embedded into that rear piece of plastic. For me I would have preferred a more flush design.

I wonder if we can consider a certain design as perfect, when we no longer find small details that we hate.

Why it is good to be fanatical about the details

I like the idea when you observe something very closely, do you notice the subtle details that was imputed by the creator and designer.

Delightful surprises

For example, this is what I love: when a certain low-key design becomes beautiful, only through your effort of trying to look for it. For example, in the Henri neck strap mark 4, I was fanatical about small details for the Mahogany red version. For example, the subtle lamb belly red leather on the inside, and the beautiful golden brass components.

If we look at these things all day every day, might as well make them beautiful

This is one thing that Steve Jobs said, that when designing Apple products, he wanted to make them as beautiful as possible, likening them to Mercedes design. Steve Jobs believed in curves, aesthetic simplicity, and other design concepts that he got from Kyoto.

Now, when I analyze certain products, and analyze the subtle details in the product design, I am scrutinizing. Because I like the idea of owning a very very few number of things, but everything that I own is absolutely perfect. And I like having a little Easter eggs and surprises, when I realize that the thing that I’m using is even more beautiful than I imagined.

Superficial design, versus deep design.

What is deep design? Deep design is when some thing is both aesthetically beautiful, and also very functional. Also, the more you use something, the more joy and delight it brings you.

Avoid mainstream design, and designs from publicly traded corporations

The reason why we should be very wary of designs and objects and things from mainstream corporations is this: the profit motive is always stronger than the aesthetic motive. Even allow these corporations only want to make some thing aesthetically beautiful in order to sell it, rather than having the main impetus being the beauty in itself.