Embracing Imperfection: Simone Giertz's Philosophy of Designing for the "Normal Day"

Simone Giertz's evolution from "shitty robots" to high-end design reveals a profound design philosophy: embrace imperfection and design for the "normal day." This conversation unpacks how accepting everyday frustrations, rather than fighting them, can unlock innovative solutions and create lasting value. It's essential reading for creators, designers, and anyone looking to build products that genuinely resonate, offering a strategic advantage by focusing on authentic human needs over fleeting trends. The hidden consequence? That embracing our messiness is the most direct path to creating useful, even beautiful, things.

The Uncomfortable Genius of Designing for "Normal"

Simone Giertz has carved a unique path from internet sensation to a respected designer, a journey marked by a fundamental shift in her approach to creation. What began with comically flawed robots, designed to fail spectacularly, has evolved into meticulously crafted objects that solve everyday problems with a quiet elegance. This transition isn't just about improved engineering; it's about a deeper understanding of human nature and the subtle, often overlooked, frictions of daily life. Giertz's work consistently challenges the conventional wisdom that dictates we must strive for perfection. Instead, she argues for designing for our "normal day," a philosophy that acknowledges our inherent messiness and finds beauty and utility within it.

The core of Giertz's insight lies in reframing problems. Her early "shitty robots" were a masterclass in lowering the barrier to entry. By intentionally building things that were "uniquely bad," she bypassed the paralysis of perfectionism that often cripples self-taught creators. This approach allowed her to build momentum and develop her skills organically.

"I did that for many years and I was thriving in it and it was it was such a great way for me to be able to create without getting in my own way because if i had set out to like build something that was perfect i would never have gotten anything done so it lowered the bar enough for me to dare to try."

This is where the first layer of consequence mapping emerges. The immediate benefit of "shitty robots" was the sheer volume of content and the rapid skill acquisition. The downstream effect, however, was the development of a robust creative process and a deep-seated trust in her own abilities. This built a foundation that would later enable her to tackle more complex, "good" designs.

As Giertz matured, both personally and professionally--navigating significant life events like brain surgery--her perspective shifted. She realized her skillset had evolved beyond intentional imperfection. The desire to address "real problems" emerged, but crucially, her definition of "real problems" remained rooted in her personal experience and observations of everyday inefficiencies. This leads to the concept of designing for the "normal day." Her chair, designed to hold half-dirty laundry, is a prime example.

"Instead of having your chair buried under a pile of like the t shirt that you've only worn once and you don't want to put it back in a drawer but you don't want to throw it in the hamper because it's not fully dirty like it gives those clothing items a proper home."

This design choice has significant downstream implications. Conventional wisdom might suggest simply folding clothes or using a hamper. Giertz's approach acknowledges the reality that these actions aren't always performed. By designing for this "in-between" state, she creates a solution that is not only practical but also feels forgiving and loving towards the user. The competitive advantage here is subtle but powerful: products that acknowledge and accommodate human imperfection are more likely to be adopted and appreciated than those that demand a level of discipline most people can't consistently maintain. This creates a durable moat, as other designers might overlook these "messy" problems in favor of more idealized scenarios.

The conversion of a Tesla into a pickup truck, while a vastly larger project, also illustrates a thread of Giertz's evolving philosophy. This massive undertaking, which required a team, highlights her willingness to collaborate and leverage external expertise as her confidence grew. This contrasts with her earlier self-reliance, driven by a need to prove her capabilities. The consequence of this shift is a more efficient and scalable approach to ambitious projects, allowing her to achieve results that would be impossible alone. This demonstrates a systems-level understanding: recognizing that complex endeavors require a network of skills and resources.

The longevity of Giertz's YouTube career is another area where consequence mapping is crucial. Her stated secret to longevity is genuine excitement about her work, focusing on creating for herself first.

"I think I both build and make videos mostly for myself and it's like do I think it's good do i think it's worth watching do i think this product is worth buying and i think as soon as i would lose sight of that i think things would start deteriorating from there."

This focus on intrinsic motivation, rather than solely chasing audience metrics, creates a powerful feedback loop. When Giertz is genuinely excited, her creations are more innovative and authentic, which in turn resonates with her audience. This creates a virtuous cycle where self-expression fuels engagement, and engagement, in turn, validates her creative direction. The downstream effect is a loyal fanbase and a sustainable career, built on a foundation of genuine passion rather than fleeting trends. Conventional wisdom might suggest tailoring content exclusively to audience demand, but Giertz’s success shows that authentic self-expression can be a more enduring strategy.

Finally, Giertz's approach to the "junk drawer" problem offers a glimpse into her problem-solving methodology. While she acknowledges the inherent difficulty in organizing such a dynamic space, her proposed solution--creating an "overview" or an "index"--points to a systems-thinking approach. Instead of trying to eliminate the junk drawer, she aims to make its contents more accessible and understandable. This involves breaking down the problem into smaller, manageable parts, such as organizing keys or providing a clear view of miscellaneous items. This iterative, layered approach to problem-solving, where immediate frustrations are addressed without sacrificing the inherent versatility of the original concept, is a hallmark of her design thinking.

Key Action Items

• Embrace the "Normal Day": Identify one everyday object or routine that frustrates you due to its inflexibility. Instead of trying to force yourself to adapt, brainstorm how the object could be redesigned to accommodate the reality of its use. (Immediate Action)
• Lower the Bar for Entry: If you're hesitant to start a creative project, intentionally aim for a "shitty" version first. Focus on completing a functional prototype, however imperfect, to build momentum and learn by doing. (Immediate Action)
• Develop Your "Why": Before embarking on a new project or product, clearly articulate why you are excited about it. Ensure it aligns with your personal interests and values, not just perceived market demand. (Immediate Action)
• Seek Collaborative Advantage: For larger or more complex projects, identify skills you lack and actively seek collaborators or team members. Recognize that leveraging others' expertise is a strength, not a weakness. (This pays off in 3-6 months)
• Design for Transition: Consider how users interact with objects in transitional states (e.g., half-used, partially clean, in progress). Create solutions that elegantly manage these in-between moments, acknowledging that perfection is rarely the norm. (This pays off in 6-12 months)
• Build an Index, Not a Cage: For complex or dynamic systems (like a junk drawer or a codebase), focus on creating visibility and organization rather than rigid constraints. Aim to make it easy to understand what's inside, even if the contents change. (This pays off in 12-18 months)
• Cultivate Patience for Delayed Payoffs: Recognize that truly novel and durable solutions often require significant upfront effort with no immediate visible results. Be willing to invest in this groundwork, as it's precisely where lasting competitive advantage is built. (This pays off in 18+ months)