The Classical Solution to the Design-by-Committee Problem
In my recent studies, I came across this little story from the Roman historian Aelian, who told of Polykleitos solution to the apparently age old issue of design by commitee.
Polykleitos made two statues at the same time, one which would be pleasing to the crowd and the other according with the principles of his art. In accordance with the opinion of each person who came into his workshop, he altered something and changed its form, submitting to the advice of each. Then he put both statues on display. The one was marveled by everyone, and the other was laughed at. Thereupon Polykleitos said, “But the one the you find fault with, you made yourselves; while the one the you marvel at, I made”[1]1. J.J. Pollitt, trans., The Art of Ancient Greece: Sources and Documents (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990), 79.
It just makes you wonder how effective all those usability meetings, commitee meetings, and design “brainstorming” sessions really are. Wouldn’t it be nice, if we could just do our job?
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Ever since I heard the iPhone never underwent user testing, I’ve been in full agreement with this.
It’s really just a battle of individual judgment, right? You either rely on the designer’s judgment, or you try and rely on the user’s judgment. But often the user’s view is distorted by the testing environment, biases developed from their prior application use, or being too myopic about getting their job done and not thinking about doing it better.
I, personally (in my bias), think an experienced designer with sufficient contextual information will create the best result.
People change and they all have preferences. Principles are eternal and universal. I think if the design or art is aligned with the principles, it will be successful.