The author argues that there's a vicious cycle of misunderstanding design in software development, perpetuated by the misconception that design is primarily about aesthetics. This leads to visual designers being hired without sufficient understanding of how their work contributes to the overall product's functionality and user experience. The author emphasizes that great design is not just about visuals but also about interactions, intended outcomes, and required components. They suggest evaluating designers based on these layers and breaking the cycle by promoting a deeper understanding of design as fundamentally about how something works, rather than just how it looks. This includes recognizing that Dribbble, often seen as a go-to platform for finding talented designers, is not representative of what great design really is but rather a tool used to drive recruiters to websites. Ultimately, the author's goal is to promote design education and ensure that companies understand the true value of great design in their products.