Monday, September 26, 2005

Simplifying the simple.

It recently occurred to me that there are multiple levels of simplicity. Since I'm in design and (now) user interaction more than I once was, simplicity becomes more and more important. And simplicity isn't so much just the fact that something looks simple. Something can have complexity, but still be simple. Simplicity comes from the fact that the brain can perceive it.

There are multiple levels of simplicity. It takes work to make something truly easy to use, that is, if it's worth making. Like a marathon, you can quit the first time you feel like quitting or you can keep going and actually reach the end, where you should be.

Something that doesn't need to have an explanation shouldn't need to have an explanation. I guess I've known this all along and have actively pursued this philosophy, but it's important to tag and talk about thoughts to solidify them. For me, at this time, I'm just going to call it "Simplifying the Simple." It's, uh, simpler that way.

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nick- I would like to offer an additional definition of the word "Simple"--"Something that you can do".

Things that are impossible to do are not simple and things that you can do are as easy or as difficult as you make them out to be. The hard part is making the choice and sticking with it. You can tell the size of a person by the size of the problem it takes to stop him or her.

Say hi to your mom for me.

Roger Lonsway, MI-FIB/OFIS

2:32 PM  
Blogger Nick G. said...

Thanks Roger--good insight. I was thinking in terms of design when I wrote this post, but I really like your point.

--Nick

4:08 PM  

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