The fundamental objectives of bridge design are structural safety, service performance, economy and elegance. All four goals must be attained, although their relative importance varies from case to case depending on the consequences of failing to do so. Structural safety is clearly the most important of the four, since unsafe bridges may lead to a loss of life or property. By definition, structural safety and serviceability are achieved through the correct application of codes and standards. Consequently, the achievement of these objectives depends chiefly on the engineer’s analytical skills. Economy and elegance, by contrast, are not subject to hard-and-fast rules. Although some guidelines for improving bridge cost-effectiveness and aesthetics exist, fortunately such criteria cannot be standardized. Economy and elegance in bridge design therefore depend mainly on the designer’s creative talent. The footbridge over motorway A-2 at Guadalajara illustrates how demanding conditioning factors can serve as inspiration for a satisfactory solution. The form follows function design adopted, characterized by the simplicity of its lines, was enhanced by the careful shaping of structural members and good detailing. This example shows that a modern, technologically advanced bridge design may be compatible with a solution whose elegance meets even the most exacting aesthetic standards with no need for inefficient members or adornments, at an affordable additional cost over the least expensive solution.