Form vs. Function: Which One Are You?

I have observed colleagues in my industry for many years now, along with many clients, Clutter Diet members, and audiences, and I have this theory that I have shared with a few of my Professional Organizer friends. I believe that there are two different approaches to organizing projects, and you could even say two different types of organizers:

1) FORM: This type of organizer want things to look organized so they will feel organized. The elements of form and design are very important to them, such as rhythm, symmetry, balance, neatness, matching of colors and styles, and alignment. Certainly function is also present in the systems that are created, but at times this type of organizing can err on the side of too much emphasis on design and not enough emphasis on ease of maintenance. Sometimes this type of approach can require a lot of time on an organizing project making the containers and items look right. An example of this is someone who strongly advocates putting all of the dry goods in the pantry into matching symmetrical containers, regardless of the time and maintenance effort it requires to fill the containers from new food packages. The final look is the most important factor.

2) FUNCTION: This type of organizer wants to organize because they simply hate to waste time, energy, and money. Sometimes the end result of an organizing project may actually even look messy, but the system is very concrete and the steps have been analyzed thoroughly to make sure there is a minimum of waste in the process. Very practical containers will be chosen over more expensive ones, often trying to use what is already at hand rather than buying something new. This approach may mean hand-writing file labels with a marker for expediency, rather than printing out labels with a label maker, because they know that ultimately they won't maintain it if there are too many steps. Time and efficiency are the most important factors.

Both of these approaches have their pros and cons, and certainly people can be a fine blend of both approaches. I have been very surprised sometimes hearing from colleagues how important it is to them that their clients' containers match, that they never use plastic bins, and that they take great pains to shop for just the right container. I, on the other hand, am someone who might use a Velveeta box for a drawer divider. I label my own project files with a marker and reuse the folders.

I know that most good organizers in my industry really have a great balance between these two, and what ultimately is important are the wishes of our clients and making sure we ask the questions necessary to know the outcome they are expecting. I can definitely do the matchy beautiful stuff and be as neat as the next guy when I know that it's important to the client!

Which approach do you tend to have? Do you feel you have a balance between Form and Function, or could you improve?

Comments

[allison carter]

I like to think I'm a little of both. But I tend to start with function first, then work in what pretty thing is functional in the way I need. But then don't forget to add frugal! I hate to spend on the pretty shiny things if I can do it another way for less.
-- Allison

[amber]

I tend to be more about function when the organizational products are going to be behind closed doors. If boxes and bins are going to be kept out in plain sight...then I try to keep with the home's current decor.

[Julie Bestry]

Guilty as charged--of putting function before form. Sure, I strive to balance the two and leave my clients with something that is attractive (or least isn't unattractive), but assuming my client were OK with it, everything could be beige and labeled with that uniform and generic typeface used in "Repo Man", and I'd be fine with it. I haven't tried Velveeta boxes, but I applaud your frugality!

In fact, the only place where I favor form is using the labelmaker for making manila folders uniformly easy to read--but for a functional reason. I've yet to do a statistically significant study, but I believe more people are more likely to "obey" a typed label as an instruction than a handwritten one (particularly in their own handwriting).

[Lorie Marrero]

Julie, what does a Repo Man font exactly look like? LOL!

I am kind of kidding about the Velveeta boxes, but I would just so prefer to use what clients have rather than have them pay me to shop for something new unnecessarily.

I agree with you about the labels on folders, and with other people I often do put labels on their folders... but for mine, it's a Sharpie marker, baby! I don't have time to worry about labeling everything. Labeling is WONDERFUL but sometimes its benefits do not pass the ROI test for me.

- Lorie

[Julie Bestry]

You've never seen "Repo Man"? Oh, I feel so old.

From Wikipedia: "Food and beverages throughout the movie appear in generic white containers with blue-lettered labels reading among others, "Beer", "Drink", "Dry Gin", "Food (Meat Flavored)"... This style of labelling was actually used by Ralphs Grocery Company in southern California for their generic products." This movie made it the font of my misspent youth.

And using a Sharpie would require having penmanship that doesn't lead to casting me as an insane doctor. There's no ROI on illegibility. :-)

[Valia B]

Unfortunately, I'm more form than function... I like things to be pretty, and if they're not I hide them away. I've been trying to work on that though... I downloaded Get Organized the Clear and Simple Way (the ebooks and audiobooks version - http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook&BOOK=230365), and I've been listening to it... unfortunately, it's a large step from listening to actually implementing!

[Monica Ricci]

I am a blend of Form and Function, but Function is definitely always first priority.

~Monica

[Amy in Australia]

I'm a form kinda gal! Yes, my pantry is full of those containers that I fill from the original boxes - it looks more organised (I can find stuff) and it has a nice symmetrical even-ness about it. Gotta try adding some more function into my thinking!

Amy

[Alyssa]

FUNCTION! I bought a garment rack on amazon.com that was commercial grade, and then spray-painted the orange bottom white, because the other ones I saw that were more attractive (and covered) were weak and could not handle more than a sad 25-50 pounds when this one could handle 400! It does not look very nice (but not awful) but it works.