trackmcp
Back to directory
hew

dieter-mcp

View on GitHub

Dieter Rams

2 stars PythonOthers Updated Sep 7, 2025

Documentation

Dieter Rams MCP Server

An MCP server that evaluates product designs against Dieter Rams' 10 principles of good design.

Installation

bash
npm install dieter-rams-mcp

Prerequisites

  • Node.js 16+
  • Python 3.7+

Install Python dependencies:

bash
pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

As MCP Server

bash
npx dieter-rams-mcp

Programmatically

javascript
const { startMCPServer } = require('dieter-rams-mcp');
startMCPServer();

Claude Desktop Configuration

Add to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:

json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dieter-rams": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["dieter-rams-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Other MCP Clients

For other MCP clients, use:

  • Command: `npx dieter-rams-mcp`
  • Transport: stdio
  • Environment: Ensure Python 3.7+ and Node.js 16+ are available

Tools

`evaluate_design`

Complete evaluation against all 10 principles

json
{
  "description": "A minimalist smartphone with clean lines and intuitive interface",
  "category": "consumer electronics"
}

`principle_check`

Check specific principle with evidence

json
{
  "description": "Tesla Model S dashboard with single touchscreen",
  "principle": 4,
  "evidence": "All controls accessible through one interface"
}

`get_principles`

List all 10 principles - no parameters needed

`suggest_improvements`

Get improvement recommendations

json
{
  "description": "Overcomplicated smart home app with 50+ buttons",
  "current_issues": ["Too many options", "Confusing navigation"]
}

Example Outputs

`evaluate_design` Response

json
{
  "overall_score": 7.2,
  "principle_scores": {
    "1": { "score": 8, "feedback": "Innovative use of gesture controls" },
    "2": { "score": 9, "feedback": "Clearly serves user needs" },
    "3": { "score": 7, "feedback": "Clean aesthetic but could be refined" }
  },
  "summary": "Strong functional design with room for aesthetic improvement",
  "recommendations": ["Simplify color palette", "Reduce visual noise"]
}

`principle_check` Response

json
{
  "principle": 4,
  "score": 6,
  "passes": false,
  "feedback": "Interface requires too much learning",
  "evidence_analysis": "Single touchscreen reduces physical complexity but cognitive load remains high",
  "suggestions": ["Add voice commands", "Implement gesture shortcuts"]
}

## The 10 Principles

1. Good design is innovative
2. Good design makes a product useful
3. Good design is aesthetic
4. Good design makes a product understandable
5. Good design is unobtrusive
6. Good design is honest
7. Good design is long-lasting
8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail
9. Good design is environmentally-friendly
10. Good design is as little design as possible

*"Less, but better" - Weniger, aber besser*

### Learn More About Dieter Rams
- [Wikipedia: Dieter Rams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieter_Rams)
- [Vitsoe: Dieter Rams Principles](https://www.vitsoe.com/us/about/good-design)
- [Book: Less and More - The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams](https://www.amazon.com/Less-More-Design-Ethos-Dieter/dp/3931936651)

## Troubleshooting

### Python Dependencies Not Found

pip install -r requirements.txt

code
Or try:

python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt

code
### Permission Errors on macOS/Linux

sudo pip install -r requirements.txt

code
### Python Command Not Found
- Ensure Python 3.7+ is installed
- Try `python` instead of `python3`
- On Windows, ensure Python is in PATH

### MCP Server Won't Start
1. Check Node.js version: `node --version` (requires 16+)
2. Verify Python imports: `python3 -c "import fastmcp"`
3. Check file permissions on `server.py`

## License

ISC License - see package.json for details.

## Contributing

Issues and pull requests welcome. This is an open-source project for evaluating designs against timeless design principles.

Frequently asked questions

What is dieter-mcp?

dieter-mcp is Dieter Rams

How do I install dieter-mcp?

Open the GitHub repository and follow its README. Most MCP servers are added to your client's MCP config, then called by your agent.

Is dieter-mcp open source?

Yes — it is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/hew/dieter-mcp and has 2 stars.

Related MCP tools

Run your own MCP server? See who uses it and what to fix.

Measure it with TrackMCP