The Design paradox
Here’s a little fact for you:
(nearly) Everything is eventually redesigned and refactored in order to look and (more importantly) feel simpler and cleaner.
Need some examples?
- Windows
- iOS
- All major websites and webapps (all but Yahoo*)
- Your house.
Here’s an obvious question:
Why not start with simple and uncluttered in the first place?
I have a couple of theories:
- We tend to treat and translate simplicity as lack of value.
- We tend to prefer complexity and clutter over simplicity (visually).
- It’s easier to add than remove.
- We know “less is better”, but we don’t actually believe it-do we?.
It takes a lot of discipline, experience and effort to break the paradox.
In my opinion, that’s when a real Designer can and should shine.
Such a designer can overcome flaws, dodge bullets and bend spoons. She/he should be able to design for the future and not for the present, to establish...