Simplicity

It is important to keep visual elements to a minimum. An interface should be simple (not simplistic), easy to learn, and easy to use. A “less is more” design goes a long way towards this goal. Background design elements and shadowing details should only support the discovery of on-screen controls and functions, and some clue as to their function. Eliminating all unnecessary ornamentation, excessive detailing, and needless controls will let the content take center stage. The interface must also provide access to all functionality of an application. Maximizing functionality and maintaining simplicity work against each other in the interface. An effective design balances these objectives. One way to support simplicity is to reduce the presentation of information to the minimum required to communicate adequately, avoiding wordy descriptions for command names or messages. Irrelevant or verbose phrases clutter your design, making it difficult for users to extract essential information easily. Another way to design a simple but useful interface is to use natural mappings and semantics. The arrangement and presentation of elements affects their meaning and association. Simplicity also correlates with familiarity; things that are familiar seem simpler. Try to build connections that draw on your users’ existing knowledge and experiences. You can also help users manage complexity by using progressive disclosure. Progressive disclosure involves careful organization of information so that it is shown only at the appropriate time. By hiding information presented to

the user, you reduce the amount of information the user must process. For example, you can use menus to display lists of actions or choices, and you can use dialog boxes to display sets of options. Progressive disclosure does not imply using unconventional techniques for revealing information, such as forcing the user through a longer sequence of hierarchical

interaction. This can make an interface more complex and cumbersome. Minimal doesn’t mean small, but rather elegant and simple, so be sure to maintain a proper sense of scale to preserve text legibility, the users’ context, and their sense of place in the interface on the whole.