Design That Speaks Before You Do

It first appears as a feeling, a reaction, or a spark before logic kicks in. Before comprehension begins. It’s what you see and, more importantly, what you sense.

Because design speaks before words do.

In a world full of scrolls, skips, and swipes, its design that stops the thumb. That makes you pause. That makes you feel something — even if it’s just for a second.

At FCB Interface, we’ve always believed that design is not just how something looks. It’s how it lives.

It’s the bold Devanagari typography of Barabari Ki Bhasha, reimagining language to be more inclusive — because why should grammar ignore gender?

And it’s the quiet brilliance of The Colour Blindness Detection Book for Navneet — where design revealed what the eye couldn’t see. A school notebook that doubled up as an early detection tool, catching colour blindness in children before it shaped their futures. A simple idea, made powerful by thoughtful craft.

Because actual design isn’t about louder colours or fancier fonts.

It’s about making meaning.

It’s about clarity without shouting. Power without noise.

Good design is invisible until it’s unforgettable.

Today, design is no longer a "last mile" exercise. It’s not something we add at the end to make things look beautiful

It’s how we solve.

It’s how we empathise.

It’s how we build brands that live inside culture, not just inside category codes. And that’s why craft matters more than ever.

In a world that celebrates speed, good design demands care. Attention. Patience. Because when it’s done right, design doesn’t chase trends — it sets them.

On World Design Day, I’m not just celebrating aesthetics. I’m celebrating precision. Purpose. And the invisible hours that go into creating something that feels effortless.

When the design is done right, it’s not decoration.

It’s a declaration.

It’s not just seen.

It’s felt.

It’s remembered.

It’s lived.

Article first published on Afaqs!