Laws of Simplicity John Maeda The Media Lab Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1. Reduce The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction. HOW SIMPLE CAN YOU MAKE IT? HOW COMPLEX DOES IT HAVE TO BE? S HRINK H IDE E MBODY

The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction.

HOW SIMPLE CAN YOU MAKE IT?

2. Organize Organization makes a system of many appear fewer. S ORT L ABEL I NTEGRATE P RIORITIZE

Organization makes a system of many appear fewer.

3. Time Savings in time feel like simplicity. HOW CAN YOU MAKE THE WAIT SHORTER? HOW CAN YOU MAKE THE WAIT MORE TOLERABLE?

Savings in time feel like simplicity.

4. Learn Knowledge makes everything simpler. BASICS REPEAT YOURSELF OFTEN AVOID CREATING DESPERATION INSPIRE WITH EXAMPLES NEVER FORGET TO REPEAT

Knowledge makes everything simpler.

5. Differences Simplicity and complexity need each other. RHYTHM OF LIFE

Simplicity and complexity need each other.

6. Context What lies in the periphery of simplicity is definitely not peripheral. NOTHING IS SOMETHING

What lies in the periphery of simplicity is definitely not peripheral.

7. Emotions More emotions are better than less.

More emotions are better than less.

8. Trust In simplicity we trust.

In simplicity we trust.

9. Failure Some things can never be made simple.

Some things can never be made simple.

10. The One Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, and adding the meaningful.

Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, and adding the meaningful.

Key 1: Away More appears like less by simply moving it far, far away.

More appears like less by simply moving it far, far away.

Openness simplifies complexity. Key 2: Open THE POWER OF THE MANY CAN OUTWEIGH THE POWER OF THE FEW.

Openness simplifies complexity.

Key 3: Power Use less, gain more

Use less, gain more