Nokia's problem is not good or bad design* the image posted by tissot is great ID. The Problem is integrating ID, Hardware and Software with services and leveraging a strategic design vision. Having designed a couple of phones I can say the client always gets what they ask for.

* my bet Nokia has employed the best design consultancies and spent the most on phone design out of any manufacturer to date, the problem is they have a pour practical design vision.

My bet is there was a visionary at nokia who pushed maemo (admit he had no ID budget or maybe experience) and that person was given the opportunity to make maemo bosom and had it riped away from him just as it started to sprout.