Design by Elle

John Maeda shares his evolving thoughts about simplicity in technology, design, business and life on his journey to understand simplicity and establish framework for this topic. Maeda starts his book by saying: ‘Technology has made our lives more full, yet at the same time we’ve become uncomfortably “full.”’ He also provides many examples from his life experiences for simplicity and complexity. If you are interested in saving time, the laws of simplicity are available online at lawsofsimplicity.com. Here are some selected excerpts from the book:

“Embodying quality is primarily a business decision, more than one of design or technology. The quality can be actual, as embodied by better materials and craftsmanship or the quality can be perceived, as portrayed in a thoughtful marketing campaign. Exactly where to invest—real of perceived quality—to get maximum return is a question with no single definite answer.” (page 7)

“…Yet no matter how much I learn about the intricacies of graphic design, I always end up at the same place: the ‘tab’ key.” (page 15)

“The best designers in the world all squint when they look at something. They squint to see the forest from the trees—to find the right balance Squint at the world. You will see more, by seeing less.” (page 21)

“The best designers marry function with form to create intuitive experiences that we understand immediately…” (page 39)

“Variety tends to keep our attention when the rhythm of difference captivates.” (page 51)

“… you can either brighten a single point with laser precision, or else use the same light to illuminate everything around you. Striving for excellence usually entails the sacrifice of everything in the background for the sake of attending to the all-important foreground.” (page 53)

“When there is less, we appreciate everything much more.” (page 56)

“While great art makes you wonder, great design makes things clear.” (page 70)

“Undo is the welcome antidote to the average Joe’s lack of optimism.” (page 79)

“Thus commitment is rendered meaningless when for every action, there is a corresponding un-action.” (page 80)

The Laws of Simplicity (Simplicity: Design, Technology, Business, Life)
Author: John Maeda
ISBN 0-262-13472-1
Press: The MIT Press