Thanks to kottke.org for finding this great, simple interview with Diter Rams.

Rams is a German industrial designer closely associated with the consumer products company Braun. He has 'ten principles to good design"
  • Good design is innovative
  • Good design makes a product useful
  • Good design is aesthetic
  • Good design makes a product understandable
  • Good design is unobtrusive
  • Good design is honest
  • Good design is long-lasting
  • Good design is thorough down to the last detail
  • Good design is environmentally friendly
  • Good design is as little design as possible