NBS: Theory: EBay as Flea Market: “Let’s assume EBay looks the way it does (not great) because not a lot of attention was paid to the design. Now let’s say they had contracted the design to a professional services firm that practices user-centered design. What would the result look like? Most likely something pretty slick. What if, like a flea market’s rough, seller-created environment, the amateur design communicates the idea of bargain?”

I have always thought that some poor designs are purposely left alone (and some are even done poorly from the beginning on purpose) because the idea behind good design appearing “slick” or “selling out” is what some places don’t want to convey (because poor designs convey a “hand made” or “mom and pop” feel, perfect for grassroots orgs or companies who don’t want to appear like a big faceless corporation.) It also sort of tells the users “We focus on people and saving you money, not spending your money on fancy shmancy web site consultants.”