Category Archives: Simplicity

Why wouldn’t you want an Apple iPad on your coffee table?

The Apple iPad isn’t just the first credible device in a new category — it’s leading the way towards a world of elegant, specialised computers. Continue reading

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A Litl bridge across the digital divide

The simple new Litl computer could be just the thing for first time computer users and may help to bridge the digital divide by bringing new computer users online. Continue reading

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Pawson’s Sackler Crossing wins Stephen Lawrence Prize

This minimalist bridge at Kew Gardens dignifies its setting rather than dominates it. A lesson in measured, restrained design. Continue reading

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The features you have vs. the features you use

Of the 21 features on my phone, I use just five. Can’t someone make a phone without all the rest? Continue reading

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Getting to Less part 2: Critically refocus

(Back to part 1) Getting to Less is all about helping designers decide what to keep and what to throw out of their designs. Whether you’re designing software, websites, products or cities, you need to choose what to include and … Continue reading

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Simplicity: The humble vernacular kitchen timer

Just twist and go. No low-contrast LCD display. No instruction booklet. No learning curve. No fiddly buttons. No modes. No batteries. No battery cover to snap off or lose. No battery changes. No weedy digital beep-beep-beep. £3 delivered. This is … Continue reading

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Getting to Less part 1: How to keep what you need and chuck what you don’t

Simplicity is becoming an increasingly important trend in design. As life becomes faster-paced and we’re deluged with more choices, more information and more stuff, users and consumers are demanding that designers do the heavy lifting of making things more focussed, … Continue reading

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Too much information

You’d have to get up pretty early in the morning to put one over the system management software that comes with the Acer Aspire 9300. A jack has been plugged in! A jack has been unplugged! Do you think I … Continue reading

Posted in Simplicity, Software design, Usability | 3 Comments