Don't mind me, folks, just need to get the old wet-dry vac.

Executive duct tape

If only every manager was this open minded.

Ceci n'est pas une interface ideal

Rotary iPhone

Apple uses this image of a touch-based rotary phone in its iOS user interface guidelines to remind people that it's not enough to make something look cool: it actually needs to be functional. Yet the fact that someone took time to render such an interface suggests that the concept may have been tested before it was ultimately abandoned.

Be like Steve

HP may have coined the expression, "The Computer is Personal Again" but it only rang true for one company. It should ring true for many more. The secrets of good design are not secret. They are not even new. Some of the best books on product design are over 20 years old. Anyone who aspires to be the next Steve Jobs should read the following:

This book will make you want to run out and create something. Every story you heard about the Macintosh Division is true. We were the hand-picked children of Steve Jobs. The industry joke was, "What is the difference between Apple and the CubScouts?" The answer: "The Cub Scouts have adult supervision."It was like playing pinball only you were the ball.

The MacIntosh Way [Free download] Guy Kawasaki

The Design of Everyday Things Donald A. Norman If designing an iPhone is too pedestrian, how about a safe nuclear power plant?

The Non-Designer's Design Book Robin Williams Learn the basics of good typography and design without enrolling in an MFA.

The Art of Innovation Tom Kelley Watch how people act in the real world to inform your design decisions.

For further inspiration, look at the organizations who promote high design:

Design organizations Red Dot AIGA MoMA

Design consultancies Italdesign Frog Design IDEO

Branding firms Pentagram Wolff Olins Winkreative