Laws of Simplicity

Posted December 3, 2006

Over the next two weeks I will be reviewing John Maeda’s ten Laws of Simplicity. His book takes an academic approach to the topic. Maeda is a professor at MIT’s Media Lab. His writing is both philosophical and practical. True to keeping it simple, the book is short (100 pgs) and an easy read.

I love this definition:

“Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.”

That quote is also the tenth law, which boils down he other nine into one. But I’ve got ahead of myself. I have more to say in the links below, as I relate Maeda’s laws to the Web.

Those on the edge of their seats can see the author’s site or buy the book at Amazon.

7 Comments so far

  1. Simplicity Rules » What does “simplicity” mean to you? on January 2nd, 2007

    […] In December I wrote a series of posts based on this book. It’s a quick read full of great ideas. And it could be free if you enter by January 15. […]

  2. Simplicity Rules » Simplicity sells, not features on May 10th, 2007

    […] That’s right out of the Laws of Simplicity. […]

  3. Simplicity Rules » More enjoyment, less pain on September 20th, 2007

    […] 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: […]

  4. Simplicity Rules » Slides and links from Ignite Portland on October 29th, 2007

    […] Laws of Simplicity […]

  5. Simplicity Rules » Simplexity on January 14th, 2008

    […] The Laws of Simplicity say that simplicity and complexity need each other. Without complexity, there can be no simple solution. Or, rather, there would be no complex solution to make better. […]

  6. [term] Simlexity (Simple-Simplexity-Complexity) « Zatvornitskiy Posts on January 28th, 2008

    […] Блог Simplicity Rules создает Adam DuVander, и всесторонне посвящен принципу Keep it Simple или как сам Адам говорит: Laws of Simplicity. Наглядным примером принципов Cimplicity является легендарное выражение создателя Kodak камеры George Eastman’а: “You press the button, we do the rest”. Про эту историю рассказывает полезная статья: The Experience Is The Product (читать всем кто создает эффективный UI). […]

  7. things I read yesterday … 06/16/2008 « The Bankwatch on June 16th, 2008

    […] Simplicity Rules » Laws of Simplicity […]

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