Good web design, web standards, user testing

There was a discussion about you today on the SIGIA mailing list. It seems that you said in your seminar that “a good web design means that you don’t have to user test”… This is a very interesting view. How do you think one can reach such a good design without knowing the user needs and capabilities? Do good designers just have it intuitively, like the romantic artist of the XIXth century? Or maybe does good design not include usable design (what is “good”, then?)

On a related matter: how long can a web design last? Is it possible for a web interface to be so perfect, in terms of interaction, that would just stay forever, although the technology is always changing. Of course, there are trends in graphic design and the use of technology: one day it’s CSS, the other Flash, etc. But on the level of interaction, can it be possible to reach perfection on the web? Any examples come to mind?

Thanks a lot!

Sylvie