I think good design is about being 純粹. (chun tsui). Translated to English it’s “pure” but I don’t think the word pure can truly capture the Chinese Term. 純粹 is the opposite of pretentious and some more. 

 

Not overly constrained, contrived. 

 

It‘s simple and direct but doesn’t lose its nuance. 

 

There are elements of letting loose and running free in it. But the catch is that it’s all an extremely precarious act of balance. 

 

I think it takes an immensely self aware, introspective person to be able to pull it off. 

 

Think too much

 

Take yourself too seriously, you become a douche. 

 

Think too little 

 

Take the discipline not serious enough you become a joke*.

 

^* note: This is not a spectrum. You can be both.

​

- T