Simplicity is a vital aspect of life that is often overlooked. Many believe that complex means more, and therefore better. The truth is quite to the contrary.
In design, simplicity is a key component of a rich user experience and robust function. This has been further explored at Complit Design. Less is more in design, and therefore better.
A Simple Life. A Life most Uncommon
The complexities of daily living make it hard for us to imagine living a simple life. There's simply so much to consider, so much to attend to and so much that is expected of us.
With all this in mind, we seldom have time to even notice and appreciate the simple things in life that matter the most.
The Laws of Simplicity
[caption id="attachment_461" align="aligncenter" width="201" caption="The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda"]
[/caption]John Maeda is a renowned graphic designer, artist and computer scientist at the MIT Media Lab.
He also co-directs the radical SIMPLICITY initiative which seeks to re-examine ways of breaking free from the complexity of today's technology and redefine the way users relate to the technology in their daily lives.
He wrote The Laws of Simplicity in 2005/6. The book details the following 10 Laws:
- REDUCE
The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction.
- ORGANIZE
Organization makes a system of many appear fewer.
- TIME
Savings in time feel like simplicity.
- LEARN
Knowledge makes everything simpler.
- DIFFERENCES
Simplicity and complexity need each other.
- CONTEXT
What lies in the periphery of simplicity is definitely not peripheral.
- EMOTION
More emotions are better than less.
- TRUST
In simplicity we trust.
- FAILURE
Some things can never be made simple.
- THE ONE
Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, and adding the meaningful.
You can read about the 10 laws at the Laws of Simplicity web site.
Read The Book
Having looked at the excerpt and watched John Maeda's TED Talk about the simple life, The Laws of Simplicity is a book worth reading.
http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf
It is bound to remind you some simple truths that can positively affect both your personal and professional life. Read more about: bigger picture, Books Worth Reading, choice, eBooks, Growth, human nature, Insight, Inspiration, life, Progress, Self Discovery, simplicity, TED Talks
