Does complexity sell?
Donald Norman is one of the best thinkers on design around. He has written an excellent piece on why simplicity is associated with a product that is less powerful and useful. More features = more sales? It’s often true …
So, of course I am in favor of good design and attractive products. Easy to use products. But when it comes time to purchase, people tend to go for the more powerful products, and they judge the power by the apparent complexity of the controls. If that is what people use as a purchasing choice, we must provide it for them. While making the actual complexity low, the real simplicity high. That’s an exciting design challenge: make it look powerful while also making it easy to use. And attractive. And affordable. And functional. And environmentally appropriate. Accessible to all.
Simplicity Is Highly Overrated
