To me, form follows function means no unnecessary ornamentation. This doesn't mean NO ornamentation, one of the things persistently misunderstood by engineers i

To me, form follows function means no unnecessary ornamentation. This doesn't mean NO ornamentation, one of the things persistently misunderstood by engineers is that all ornamentation is frivolous. What it means is the ability to carefully consider and justify each design decision that you make and to not be mindless about your design. I think the NY Times article had somewhat of a point. Sure, the original iPod needed to have a wheel and a screen and be easily held in your hands but it really could have looked like anything apart from that. The loosening of constraints upon design is at both liberating and slightly terrifying for those who believe in form follows function.