Form or function, what's more important?
By mommyboo
@mommyboo (13174)
United States
August 17, 2008 4:14pm CST
Form follows function, or does function follow form? What do you think is more important, or are they equal? The reason I ask this is simple. When you buy things - anything, clothing, furniture, home appliances, 'toys', etc etc etc, what is the primary reason? Do you buy things for yourself that look good or work well, or is it a combination of both? If one is more important than the other, why? Does it depend what it is?
I personally aim for a solid representation of both. If I buy say... a pair of jeans, I want them to be good quality and also look great. I do not purchase clothing for myself that does not 'fit' into my lifestyle, ie I need wash and wear and it has to be able to stand up to a variety of situations, dress up or dress down so it can serve more than one use. For things like home electronics, of course they have to work exceptionally well, but they also need to be user friendly and 'match' as far as color or blend with the other pieces of the system.
What drives your decisions? Are you likely to pay more for something because it's better quality... or because it LOOKS better? Have you ever bought something that looks great but functions crappy, or something that looks crappy but functions great? Do you regret those purchases?
2 people like this
8 responses
@chinnu3579 (661)
• India
21 Aug 08
I give priority to quality and at the same time fashion or present trend.Even sometime I have to adjust with one ok among both.So ultimately no compramise in quality.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
18 Aug 08
In everything except for clothing I am a form girl. I don't usually how something looks as long as it does what I need it to. With clothing of course this is different because people have to look at you and I think that is part of form. If you look horrible it doesn't matter how comfortable you are. You're not going to get that new job or land that big client. As much as we'd like to say this doesn't exist it does. Even the most qualified person if they go into an interview with mustard on themselves they're not going to get hired.
@34momma (13882)
• United States
18 Aug 08
great question. i like things too look good in my home, but what is the point of them looking good if they don't work well. i think function would be most important to me. like you said with clothes, of course i want them to look nice, but if they don't fit into my wash and go away of life then why even purchase them
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
18 Aug 08
A balance of both of course:) - I bet you know I was going to say this hehehehe
I think that both are important and whenever possible I prefer to have something that appeals to me both by form and function.
I think we all do that in a way - at least I hope so :) - we are buying something that we need, and of course we want it to work properly, but them within the possible choices we pick the one that has a form that appeals more to us.
As for paying more, I might pay more for quality if I have too, in that case for will be left behind:) Of course that if within the same price range I find something that has great quality and looks good I'll take it :)
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
18 Aug 08
Most of the time I think I choose form over function. It doesn't matter if it doesn't work so well if the color's really nice or if it's really light or if it's trendy. I don't even know why I choose form over function when I know that function is always the more logical choice. Does this mean that I'm illogical?!! Sometimes I condemn people and the world in general for being overly superficial. But now I realize how superficial I am myself. :(
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
17 Aug 08
Hi mommyboo,
[i]When I will buy something, it is because I love the style and I know I will be comfortable wearing it, I consider the price also but I don't buy only because it is what I can afford, I have to like it and love it..LOL!
it will be useless for me to purchase it not satisfying myself, I am sure i will just end up keeping it in the closet or giving it to relatives or friends![/i]
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
18 Aug 08
Hey mommyboo, what a great question! I try to buy things that
a both. What is the point of buying something that looks great
but doesn't funtion, especially when it comes to clothes. As
you said it must fit my style, be easy to care for and wear
well, meaning stand up to many washings. I don't do dry
cleaning! As for home electronics, that's a tough one. That's
an easy one to be fooled. That one has to be bought to function.
Even if it looks crappy and functions well, so be it! I down
with saving wherever I can! I'm not the type to be fooled by
something because it has some extra shiny buttons! When it
comes to electronics I do my research first. There's just some
things that you need to know what your getting before you get
it!
