Good design goes unnoticed, and that’s why no one appreciates it.

Today, everyone talks about design. It’s on social media, in portfolios, at conferences. And it seems that the best design is the one that attracts the most attention. But in truth, good design doesn’t aim to shine. Its job is to work.

When design does its job well, it goes unnoticed. No one sees it. And in a world where everyone wants to be seen, that seems like a flaw. But it’s the opposite.

The design that stands out often interrupts, it wants to be noticed. The one that doesn’t stand out lets things flow. It allows people to use the product without thinking too much. No frustration, no questions, no effort. That’s design.

No one thanks what simply works. No one says, “how nice that this button is right where I expected it.” But that invisible detail is what makes everything feel easy.

Many designers struggle to accept this. We want our work to be seen; we want to leave a mark. But if users notice the design more than what they came to do, something went wrong.

Good design doesn’t seek attention, it gives it back. It doesn’t want to be the star. It wants people to reach their goal without stumbling.

And even if that means no one applauds you, that’s the sign you did it right. If people use your design without thinking about it, it’s because it’s in the right place, doing its job.

Design doesn’t have to shout to be valuable. Sometimes, silence is the proof that everything works.