Good Design vs. Great Design

TL; DR [without the labels]

  is usable.            challenges.
  solves problems.      enriches the soul.
  functional.           is fulfilling.
  is invisible.         is in your face.
  is good process.      is usually messy.
  is familiar.          is uncomfortable.
  optimizes.            discovers.
  is consistent.        is unexpected.
  follows patterns.     sets the new patterns.
  is understandable.    opens new vistas.
  is clear.             leaves room for interpretation.
  gets out of the way.  has something to say.
  is for all.           is for you.

You can decide for yourself which is better.

A few of the ones of the right could be an evolution of the ones on the left (functional and fullfilling, solves problems and enriches the soul, is for all and is for you), some others are terrible (is in your face, usually messy, uncomfortable).

His apps are badly designed wrapped up in loud visual design that’s trying to do / say too much.

Just adding 3d doesn’t mean you’ve stumbled upon a new era of interface design.

I actually have a lot of criticism for their designs, but I’m going to hold my tongue since they make a calculator app for the iPad and don’t charge money for its or feature creep their way from calculator into social media.

Edit.

Whoops. I spoke too soon.

I downloaded the app, and it says I have a week to decide if I want to pay 14$ a month for it.

A month! For a calculator app!

I'll buy good design for my business and clients, but I'll buy great design for my home.