Secrets of Simplicity
As you look at the products that Apple produces, any of them, you could certainly create a one sided argument that simplicity and usability are parallels. And why not. There’s a massive amount of complex logic that runs the interfaces, operating systems, connectivity, etc. And yet, their designers were able to bring it all together into one minimalistic interface that you can completely control with one finger. So it would of course makes sense that simplicity is the answer to making anything complex usable. Or does it?
Giles Colborne, Director at cxpartners, usability expert and previous President of the UK Usability Professionals’ Association created this presentation titled: ”Secrets of Simplicity: rules for being simple and usable” that certainly puts the relationship of simplicity and usability into perspective.
Giles says: “For practical, emotional and cultural reasons we crave simplicity. For people working in usability it can seem like usability and simplicity are identical.” This is a great misconception. I often wonder if it is because we approach simpler as easier or if it is because we simply don’t have enough information to make the complex usable. That’s often a blurred line. Add the demand of putting products out faster and more cost effective and it becomes obvious that compromises begin.
This demands that we need to identify a means to better identify what makes something truly usable and simple. Giles mentions that “if you are designing something simple for consumers, you have to hit high scores in efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction.” and further notes “so simplicity is not the same as usability. It’s just one case and it may not always be the right strategy.”
And then breaks it down to these simple laws.
- Complexity is never eliminated, merely reduced and displaced.
- Simplicity is an experience, it happens in the users head
Source:
“Secrets of Simplicity: rules for being simple and usable.” Upload & Share PowerPoint presentations and documents. 19 June 2009 <http://www.slideshare.net/cxpartners/secrets-of-simplicity>.
