The Illusion of Design: Substance vs. Style

This chapter explores the disconnect between marketing portrayals and actual user experiences in design, emphasizing the pressure on designers to produce visually appealing but potentially misleading representations. It critiques performative design tactics that prioritize aesthetics over functionality, revealing the challenges of maintaining authenticity in large corporate environments. The discussion raises important questions about the integrity of design practices and the motivates for agencies to create highlight reels that may misrepresent product usability.