From Plato to Pixels

A long time ago, in college, I studied philosophy. And I absolutely loved every single second of it. Yet the reality is that philosophy does not a career make. At least, not for most people. So life took me down a different path. All the while though, I have been looking for connections between my love for (often ancient) philosophical wisdom, and the practicality of my day-to-day job. Which isn’t as far-fetched as you might assume.

In the ever-evolving world of product design, where every pixel is meticulously planned and every user experience carefully crafted, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends, tools, and technologies. But what if the key to truly innovative design lies not in the newest software or most popular aesthetic, but in ideas from over two thousand years ago? This might sound unlikely, but the philosophy of Plato, an ancient Greek thinker, offers surprising insights that can guide modern design practices in meaningful ways.

An Ideal World

For those who may not be familiar, Plato was a philosopher who lived in ancient Greece around 400 BCE. He is one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy, and his ideas have shaped many aspects of thought, from politics to science to art. Central to his philosophy is the concept of “Forms” or “Ideas” — not the kind of ideas we have when brainstorming, but a deeper, more fundamental notion.

Imagine every object you encounter: a chair, a smartphone, a coffee cup. These are all specific instances of a general category of objects — they are “copies” or “shadows” of a perfect, ideal version that exists in a non-physical realm. This ideal version is what Plato called a “Form.” According to him, all the chairs in the world, no matter how different they are, share something essential that makes them “chairs.” The Form of a chair is this essence — the perfect, unchanging blueprint that all real-world chairs try to emulate but never quite achieve

Two chairs of different design. One Eames lounge chair, and one Ikea set.

To Plato, despite their different designs, these chairs all aspire to the same ideal or “Form”.

Plato believed that our physical world is a reflection of a higher, more perfect reality, and that true knowledge comes from understanding these perfect Forms rather than just their imperfect manifestations in the real world. In a similar way, modern designers can think about their work not just as a response to immediate user needs or aesthetic trends, but as an attempt to get closer to some ideal version of their product — a perfect, timeless design.

Interesting. So, how does this ancient philosophy apply to product design today?

Great question. Here are a few practical implications of Platonism that can inform and inspire your approach to creating products:

The Pursuit of Perfection

Plato’s philosophy encourages us to strive for an ideal form — a perfect version of whatever we are designing. In the context of product design, this could mean aiming for a product that is not just functional or aesthetically pleasing, but one that perfectly balances both qualities in a way that feels timeless and universally appealing.

Consider Apple products, for instance. Apple’s design philosophy is often seen as a pursuit of perfection — a Platonic ideal of technology. The design of the iPhone or MacBook is not just about the latest trends; it’s about creating something that feels simple, elegant, and intuitive. Apple’s commitment to minimalist design and usability reflects the Platonic idea of striving toward a perfect form — a product that is not just good for today but remains relevant and desirable over time.

Or, in the realm of furniture design, we have the famous Eames Chair, seen above. This chair is celebrated for its balance of form and function, combining high-quality materials with ergonomic design to create a piece of furniture that is both beautiful and comfortable. It’s an attempt to create the ideal chair — one that satisfies aesthetic desires while meeting the practical need for comfort.

When designing a product, ask yourself: What would the perfect version of this look like? Consider not just the current needs and preferences of users, but what would make this product fundamentally excellent. This might lead to different design choices — ones that prioritize longevity, simplicity, and clarity over flashiness or trendiness.

Where Form Meets Function

Plato’s theory of Forms emphasizes that the ideal version of an object combines perfect form and perfect function. This balance is crucial in product design, where usability and aesthetics must work hand in hand. A beautiful product that’s hard to use is just as flawed as an ugly product that works well. The ideal product seamlessly integrates both aspects.

Approach your design with a dual focus: aesthetic beauty and functional efficiency. For instance, consider the principles of Material Design, which integrates tactile elements and visual cues that mimic real-world behaviors to create intuitive user experiences. Or Shopify’s recent revamp of its design system, Polaris, which saw a greater focus on a simplistic, tactile, real-world inspired direction. It’s not just about looking good — every design choice serves a functional purpose, making the user experience both beautiful and effective.

A Braun Control calculator, designed by Dietrich Lubs and Dieter Rams.

While Dietrich Lubs’ and Dieter Rams’ rounded buttons may seem old-fashioned now, there’s something to be said for the timelessness of the calculator design in itself. It has no embellishments, no unnecessary details, not sacrificing function over form.

Similarly, we could think of Google’s homepage. It’s famously minimalist — a single search bar on a blank white page. This design hasn’t changed much in the decades since Google’s first entry onto the world wide web, and that’s because it gets to the heart of what the product is: a search engine. The design doesn’t distract from that core function, making it a kind of Platonic ideal of a search interface.

Meaningful Experiences

Plato believed that true fulfillment comes from engaging with higher ideals. For product designers, this means thinking about how a product can create more than just a functional interaction, but a meaningful experience. What higher purpose does your design serve? How does it enhance the user’s life in a significant way?

Think beyond the immediate use case of your product. Consider how it fits into the larger context of your user’s life. Does it make their day easier? Does it connect them with others? Does it help them achieve a goal or learn something new? A product that contributes to the user’s higher needs — like community, growth, or well-being — will resonate more deeply and be more valued. It’s a fundamental reason why social networks, regardless of their particular niche, are such an incredibly sticky product.

A great example of this is meditation apps like Headspace or Calm. They are designed not just to be easy to use or visually appealing, but to genuinely help users find calm and clarity in their daily lives. This aligns with Plato’s idea that true value comes from engaging with higher, more meaningful purposes.

By embracing some of the foundational principles of Platonism, product designers can elevate their work beyond the constraints of current trends or technological limitations. Instead of merely responding to what users want today, designers can strive to create products that reflect a deeper, more timeless standard of excellence. This approach can lead to designs that are not only more enduring but also more meaningful to users.

So, next time you sit down to design a new product, ask yourself: What would Plato do? How can you strive for the ideal, balance form with function, and create something that truly enhances the human experience? By thinking in these terms, you might just find that the path from Plato to pixels leads to a whole new way of thinking about design.