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 value and meaning.

Such a designer can solve the Design Paradox and overcome human nature.

Are you one of them?