Simplicity Sells was the Topic of, New York Times columnist, David Pogue's TED talk in February of 2006.
I recently watched this video on my iPhone, and was struck by how someone was finally saying something I and many other people had been thinking but maybe not saying.
Pogue says that when designing Software or any consumer product, Simplicity Sells. He says there are 2 guidelines: to be consistent, and to have a real world equivalent whenever possible.
Consistent = Interfaces are similar and intuitive.
Real world Equivalents = "Trash Can", "Folders", etc.
However, neither of these guidelines must be adhered to if it is not first and foremost Intelligent.
Example: The internet is supposed to be a "global marketplace" but right now it is basically just the US, Europe, and China on the web. So when we are asked our country on forms, why is the United States placed among the hundreds of other countries in the U section? It is consistent, but foremost it should be intelligent which would involve placing Europe, China, and the US at the top of the list. Many companies have done this, still many have not.
Also, why would Microsoft set it up so that you have to click START when you want to shut down your computer. And why, when you choose shut down, have they collapsed the 4 choices (restart, shut down, log off) into a drop down menu when there is plenty of room on the screen for just 4 choices. These and many other points brought up by Pogue show the differences in thinking between the way Microsoft and Apple program their software.
So to wrap it up. It must over all things, be simple and intelligent.
I recently watched this video on my iPhone, and was struck by how someone was finally saying something I and many other people had been thinking but maybe not saying.
Pogue says that when designing Software or any consumer product, Simplicity Sells. He says there are 2 guidelines: to be consistent, and to have a real world equivalent whenever possible.
Consistent = Interfaces are similar and intuitive.
Real world Equivalents = "Trash Can", "Folders", etc.
However, neither of these guidelines must be adhered to if it is not first and foremost Intelligent.
Example: The internet is supposed to be a "global marketplace" but right now it is basically just the US, Europe, and China on the web. So when we are asked our country on forms, why is the United States placed among the hundreds of other countries in the U section? It is consistent, but foremost it should be intelligent which would involve placing Europe, China, and the US at the top of the list. Many companies have done this, still many have not.
Also, why would Microsoft set it up so that you have to click START when you want to shut down your computer. And why, when you choose shut down, have they collapsed the 4 choices (restart, shut down, log off) into a drop down menu when there is plenty of room on the screen for just 4 choices. These and many other points brought up by Pogue show the differences in thinking between the way Microsoft and Apple program their software.
So to wrap it up. It must over all things, be simple and intelligent.
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