Form follows function — design starts with purpose, not appearance

Form follows function means you start with the purpose or function first, then design the form to facilitate that function. The function leads and determines how something should be designed. Apple demonstrates this at a company level: they view themselves as a software company that makes hardware, treating products like the iPod as 'wonderful software wrapped in beautiful hardware' rather than a hardware company that adds software. Usability — how easy and intuitive something is to use — has become an important focus on the web, though most design everywhere still treats usability as an afterthought. Most people start with the visual form and bolt function on later. That's why so many products look polished and work poorly. Purpose first. Usability second. Aesthetics third.