10 Laws of Simplicity
- Reduce
Hide. Show less. Think iPod shuffle vs. iPod Touch in terms of interface and options. Shuffle is like a radio except there are no commercials when you want to channel hop. Many of the problems inherent with a touch-based GUI anthropometrically as well as visually don't even need to be solved when one thinks of the core functions an audio player (this was written before popular use of portable video players) needs or is expected to provide.- When devices merge core functions (clocks/phones/calendars/audio/video/games/data storage/sms/mms/microwave control/...) how can we reduce GUI overload?
Another point comes to mind about information age vs. knowledge age — that knowledge is the ability to construct information, access information parts, when needed, in context (coming in a later law). Information is structured data... - Organize
Meada's diagrams show what many people refer to as "paper prototypes" or "card sorting".
Whatever the method, it's usually the simplification of complex processes we're after.
Sequence implies a linearity while we seem to be entering that ubiquitous space in our use of the internet. Systems and structured content access on an enterprise/participatory model have begun to hold strong weight in the market (CMS, Social Networking...).
More and more we are thinking about dynamic systems that are sensitive to (anticipated/assumed) context.
Another example would be the aggregation of social tagging and rating systems like Digg or Mixx in the form of consolidation-like portals or bookmarklets-that post your stuff to multiple sites. Differential of services happens through methods or protocol, process when it comes down to it.
Like small devices merging, web services are merging. Inputs and outputs between users and their products and services will need to aggregate to stay alive or valid. Whoever does this efficiently will be king of the distribution world - Time
Savings in time feel like simplicity.
Time is perceived unless observed.
Finding ways to cut time creates more time for other things.
Length has little to do with volume when it comes to time or the impact of moments.
Efficiency in progress is ours once a'more... (Jello Biafara, Dead Kennedys) - Learn
Learning is a realm that sparks infinite discussions. Necessity and ultimately relevance to the end-user or the client. It is the motis operandi of all of us in design, programming, IA, UX, strategy... In the end, it is not surprising how nature is the new symbol of purity and simplicity and that is considered ultimate good in today's society. Clutter, garbage, the anxiety of pollution are much like some of the annoyances found throughout any process of learning, large or small.
RTFM rings solidly throughout the reading of this chapter. As does I — I can't, won't, refuse to, get in ACRONYM LAND but this references another one: B R A I N (Meada is creative).
Anyway, I stands for inspiration. We all need it. Wherever we can find and hold onto that inspiration is important to the learning process. Inspiration is great with it comes from Inside
Don't stop believing
hold onto that feeling
Streetlights, people, whoa - Differences
Can complex problems be scaled back to just monochrome black and white only?
Complexity implies the feeling of being lost <---> Simplicity implies the feeling of being found
Transitioning from simple to complex is a good area of focus to avoid panic or confusion.
One of the ways we see this in life is through rhythm in music. Music is complex and full of contrasts yet most of it holds together. - Context
The periphery is not irrelevant. Seems to be a trigger point these days in the turf wars blazing throughout the online advertising world.
How directionless can I afford to be? <-------> How directed can I stand to feel?
Waypoints: References cartography and direction-finding as a metaphor for navigating web content. The common problem with maps is that they are 2D while we navigate (familiar) spaces through established familiarity that can't show in diagrammatic format.
If your GPS device grabbed the wheel would it be alright with you?
Extremes are those differences Meada speaks about.
Balance is simplicity. The challenges communications channels continually face always include channel noise. Successful experiences are usually ones that find the right balance between leading and showing and hinting and total hands-off. - Emotion
Aichaku — Japanese term for emotional attachment to artifacts.
Without engagement of an audience or listener, a connection will not be formed. Without a connection, communication could be lost in a shuffle of other messaging. Emotional intelligence is considered a good trait (in the US) for leaders.- This implies empathy. Do you Understand?
- Trust
Omakase — Japanese for I leave it up to you.
Goes back to that iPod shuffle vs Zume debate as well as context.
We trust simplicity, In Simplicity We Trust. Intuitive is easily accessible to even the dumbest of users, yes. But most times this concept is backed by tracking the perceived effort it takes for a user to get to know a system as opposed to the number of times a user has to go back to re-learn a new system. Repetition can lead to "intuition".
Affordances (Cameron F) — using real world processes and UI stuff in this virtual world.
How much do you need to know about a system <-------> How much does the system need to know about you? - Failure
Law 4: Learn has to do with failure; Learn from mistakes. Make them within an (2) Organized (3) timeframe in (6) Context to (1) reduce the clutter of the problem... - The One.
Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.
Don't try all 10 of these at home or at once. Like other things simple or that value simplicity as a great "good" (Zen), this book is a definite one to grow on, one to have in the library, for anyone actively involved professionally in a design, programming, strategy, etc career.
Also mentioned in the book was a video by a former roommate and friend Mike Norse that showcased at Rezfest. Please check it out if you haven't already seen it:
1 comment:
nice. thank you!
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