http://bokardo.com/archives/what-metric-are-you-designing-to-improve-today/

I keep going back to this post by Josh Porter about metrics to design to, rather than focusing on aesthetics and appearance, clear design values, meet that need when the time is right, but most importantly design to solve a problem, find a solution, make an improvement, set a metric, a goal and look to track it and hit it!

A very encouraging and inspiring read to me and my sensibilities.