What is Practical vs. Beautiful Design?

As I considered this question while preparing to write on this topic, it occurred to me that practicality is so many things when it comes to executing beautiful design. It doesn't always mean that a piece of furniture "doubles" as two. (It's a desk that also serves as a coat stand.) It doesn't even necessarily mean that every element of the design is even useful in a literal sense.

It isn't hard to find beautiful design...it is so often the focus of any project. Beautiful design that is also practical, however, is a bit of a holy grail. It's the hot convertible that is given a superb safety rating. It's the nutritious, low calorie meal that tastes like the only ingredients are butter and cream.

So I decided, for my own benefit, to make a list of what I thought the tenets of practical design might be, and any design that balances beauty while also accomplishing these tenets, succeeds in achieving the delicate balance.

• Practical design is executed to meet timelines.
  
• Practical design is executed to meet budgets.
  
• Practical design is effortless. It asks nothing of its user.
  
• Practical design eases operational challenges ... foot traffic, hotel staff output ...

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