Simplicity's Enemy

Aug

12
09

Keeping things simple is a concept I deal with on a daily basis, both on a personal and relational level. It's also something I frequently pound into my clients train of thought in the beginning and during various stages of the developmental process. To stay true to my requests, I try desperately to adhere to keeping things simple when producing design solutions and strategies. Over complicating things happens when you underplan and get wrapped up in the process resulting in simplicity becoming an afterthought. This is one reason why I always try to allot adequate time in the beginning production phases to ensure that simplicity doesn't take the backseat.

"I find that simplicity has an enemy: Fear. Fear demands places to hide and simplicity can't offer that. I would say my passion is helping people discover their fears and then ignoring it"

- Seth Godin

 Seth has a way of putting things into unique perspective by identifying the fears and difficulties in applying simplicity. Even though marketing is not one of my top specialties, I do request all the information on understanding the basics of my clients market up front before developing their product. This should be a goal for all designers to take heed in helping their clients recognize their fears in advances to avoid complications in development.

Here-here my friend. Obviously I know of what you speak, as we're both knee-deep in communicating the need of simplistic clarity. Simplicity requires more time than merely regurgitating everything you see/feel/hear.

overcomplicating comes from not knowing what to do a lot of times. i have fallen into that trap more than once. minimalism and simplicity are different beasts, but i like em both.

@ Eric - I totally agree. Not receiving the necessary information you need to complete a task lends to you trying to "read minds" by producing what you think the client wants. Obviously, this rarely ever works to your benefit.

I always request as much info. as the client can give up front so that we get started off on the right foot and eliminate the possibility of back tracking, or even worse, starting completely over on the process.