When “bad” design is better:

When finding a diner,

a bbq joint,

a dive bar,

an apple orchard,

a hardware store,

a lumberyard,

a farmstand,

a taco stand,

a minor league baseball team,

a corner store,

a hair salon,

basically, any establishment that runs on community reputation and connections. Slick, clean design does not replace or necessarily represent a good product. It is often a way to make a purchase decision in ignorance. But this is why non-trendy, rules-breaking, slapped-together, clip-art-ridden design can be so powerful. It represents a staying power deeper than the veneer. Good design can be suspicious.

“Good Design” can be embarrassing.