Begin with the User in Mind - That's how you build a Legacy.

Imagine building a world so perfect, yet so flawed that it collapses under its own weight. In Tron: Legacy, Kevin Flynn’s digital utopia failed—not because of poor design, but because he ignored the most critical element: the user. In the real world, the same principle applies—great design starts and ends with the user experience.

Stephen Covey reminds us in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: "To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction."

Based on my 25 years of experience, I believe the most powerful habit of highly effective designers and architects is to begin with the user in mind. This habit is the secret to leaving a legacy.

You might have the best-looking program, slogan, brand name, commercials, sponsorships, and endorsements—but if the shopper, consumer, operator, or equipment owner has a poor experience, your project will be short-lived.

Whether you're launching a company, designing a product, or implementing a solution, a sleek form may open doors, but only valuable function keeps you in the room.

Your function is your strategy—your unique value to the user. Learn to design value that attracts users naturally. In Tron: Legacy, the digital world lacked user-centered functionality, ultimately leading to its downfall. The same principle applies to any innovation. Ignore the user, and your design will eventually fail.

Therefore, bring your end users into the room during design. Get feedback, run trials, conduct surveys, ask open-ended questions, run simulations, and test prototypes! The more you do this and get into the DETAIL with your users, the more you can guarantee success.

But not just any users. Select the right cross-section to optimize value. Look at Apple—they integrate user feedback continuously, ensuring form and function align for an exceptional experience.

At the end, when the user is happy, be sure to celebrate with healthy "libations, for everybody!"

© Nuri Dimler 2025