Final answer:
The statement is false; both modular and basic design follow principles aiming to satisfy customers' needs, but early poor design decisions can negatively impact the outcome regardless of the design type.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that modular design doesn't follow the same rules as basic design can be considered false. Both modular and basic design principles aim to meet customers' needs effectively, although they may approach the problem from different angles. Modular design specifically allows for components to be interchanged or replaced easily, thereby increasing the flexibility and scalability of a system. However, in the context of this question, it suggests that regardless of the design approach employed—basic or modular—early design decisions are crucial. Poor design decisions made at the outset can compromise the overall quality and functionality of the final product. Therefore, attention to detail from the beginning of the design process is essential to ensure it successfully meets customers' needs.