there’s a saying about putting lipstick on a pig. in the end, it’s still a pig. functionality is king. the thing you make—the report, the chart, the database, the website, the powerpoint presentation—absolutely needs to be functional. it has to inform, it has to change minds, it has to work. but at the same time, it helps tremendously if people love it too.

don’t go putting lipstick on a pig, but don’t ignore the feathers on your peacock either.

otherwise it’s just a pheasant.