Simplicity Rules

The most important time to keep things simple is when the user is on edge, when they will be most open to frustration. Design for over-communication and obviousness–hold the user’s hand.

One such time might be when you’re uninstalling some software, like I did recently with MailTags. I didn’t have a particular problem with the software. The trial had expired and I decided I didn’t want to register it. Here is the uninstall screen (I added the blue ovals):

Everything about the uninstall window points me in the direction of where I want to go. But to move forward, I am forced to click an “install” button. That’s the opposite of what I want. I’m an advanced user and that made me look at it two or three times. Imagine if I was a novice, or I was angry with the software.

There are also moments where your software may have to deliver bad news. Ikea’s stock availability often has to do just that. Unfortunately, there is a sea of text to wade through to finally get my answer, as you can see below (again, I added the blue oval):

These are fairly tame examples. What about when there are major errors, or the user enters an invalid email address? One of my favorite books, Defensive Design, discusses the topic in-depth. I’ve probably read it through four times and I’m still learning things.

And that’s the dirty little secret about hand-holding. Like everything else, it takes practice to get it right.

John Maeda wrote the Laws of Simplicity, a great little book that breaks down what it means to be simple. In March he gave this talk at the TED conference:

He boils down to the following nugget:

“Simplicity is about living life with more enjoyment and less pain.”

For more about his laws, check out my series of posts or buy the book at Amazon.

Thanks for pointing me to this, Mr. Duffy.

The folks at Trizoko pose a simple question:

Who would likelier succeed?
a) Johnny starting with a “I’ll-rock-the-world” approach.
b) Miguel, who starts with a “just-enough” approach.

Miguel, they say, has the best chance of succeeding, because “A simplicity approach exponentially increases your chances of achieving your primary goals.”

While I agree, I’d point out that this approach is popular with incrementalists. Completionists would probably freak out, and rightly so.

Launching with the bare minimum means the first impression is less than your full potential. That’s why you have to make sure that what you launch contains the core of your product. This is the first thing the incrementalist needs to focus on.

The next thing is appeasing the completionist. The core might not be enough for staunch completionists. Remind them that you can’t wait forever to get it out, and promise to work on their list once you launch.

Via Duffster, who may be a busy man, but always finds time to send me links about Simplicity.

Like them. That’s it.

As a friend recently said…

“I guess we are the crazies who don’t mind clients. I think clients are the number one complaint when it comes to design.”

They’re hardly crazy. They just know how to keep customers.

Once you like your customers, the rest falls into place. You will naturally do the things that show your appreciation, and that will come back to you.

Whatever you do, don’t follow the lead of Randal from the movie Clerks (slightly edited):

“This job would be great if it wasn’t for the… customers.”

If you’re having a hard time liking your customers, that’s probably a sign that you need to find better customers (or another field).