Interfaces and devices are providing more and more power and functionality to people, and in many cases this additional power is accompanied by increasing complexity. Although people have more experience and are more sophisticated, it still takes time to learn new interfaces, information, and interactions. Although we are able to learn and use these often difficult interfaces, we increasingly seek and appreciate simplicity.
The Complexity Curve describes how a project moves from boundless opportunity and wonderful ideas to requirements checklists and constraints then finally (but only rarely) to simplicity and elegance. Where many projects call themselves complete when the necessary features have been included, few push forward and strive to deliver the pleasing and delightful experiences that arise from simplicity, focus, and purpose.
David M. Hogue, Ph.D. - VP of Experience Design, applied psychologist, and adjunct faculty member at San Francisco State University - introduces the Complexity Curve, discuss why our innovative ideas seem to fade over the course of a project, explain why "feature complete" is not the same as "optimal experience", and offer some methods for driving projects toward simplicity and elegance.
Comments on twitter at #SXsimplerUX
Audio available at:
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_IAP13657
80. Leverage our ignorance.
Often our best ideas arise before we
have become shackled by constraints.
Write them down before we know
why we can’t do them.
Then return to them.
116. It may be complex if…
“Messy & Confusing” Copying Solutions
Indirect Action Map to Organization
Everything to Everyone Lead with Technology
Design by Consensus Design for Yourself
“Nice to Have…” Accept Assumptions