The document discusses the concept of simplicity. It provides definitions of simplicity from an artist and architect as achieving maximum effect with minimum means. Examples are given of Apple products that are simple and intuitive to use. The author argues that true simplicity is difficult to achieve and requires thoughtful reduction of elements without reducing functionality. Advice is given on organizing systems to reduce complexity through sorting, labeling, integrating and prioritizing. The document advocates that gaining knowledge and reducing wasted time can also help achieve simplicity. It concludes that simplicity is about subtracting obvious elements and adding meaningful elements.

1. Simplicity

3. Complex information

4. You are here

6. Simplicity is rare

7. But what does simplicity mean?

8. “Simplicity means the achievement of
maximum effect with minimum means.
-- Dr. Koichi Kawana - artist, designer and architect ”

9. Something simple works intuitively.

10. Think of Apple’s famous Mac computer.

11. Think of Apple’s famous Mac computer.
“It just works!”

12. Or Google Search.
Despite its vast and complex network of
computers and databases…

13. …when you want to do a search
all you see is this:

14. …when you want to do a search
all you see is this:

16. Simplicity is not simple.

18. Simple things are made
unnecessarily complicated.

19. You can complicating

20. John Maeda, author of
The Laws of Simplicity,
gives some advice on
how to declutter life and
make it a worthwhile
experience.

21. John Maeda, author of
The Laws of Simplicity,
gives some advice on
how to declutter life and
make it a worthwhile
experience.
Here are 5 of those laws

22. The simplest way to achieve simplicity
is through thoughtful reduction.
1

23. When functionality is reduced
without penalty

24. When functionality is reduced
without penalty
true simplification is realized.

25. Organization makes a system of
many appear fewer.
2

26. An effective scheme for organization
achieves definitive success in taming
complexity.

27. An effective scheme for organization
achieves definitive success in taming
complexity.
1. Sort

28. An effective scheme for organization
achieves definitive success in taming
complexity.
1. Sort
2. Label

29. An effective scheme for organization
achieves definitive success in taming
complexity.
1. Sort
2. Label
3. Integrate

30. An effective scheme for organization
achieves definitive success in taming
complexity.
1. Sort
2. Label
3. Integrate
4. Prioritize

31. An effective scheme for organization
achieves definitive success in taming
complexity.
1. Sort
2. Label
3. Integrate
4. Prioritize
5. Done!

32. Savings in time
feel like simplicity.
3

33. The average person spends at least an
hour a day waiting in line.

34. When forced to wait,
life seems
unnecessarily complex.

35. Maximizing your available time
Time Complexity

36. Maximizing your available time can
greatly reduce complexity.
Time Complexity

37. Knowledge makes everything simpler.4

38. Think of a screw and a screwdriver.
You just mate the screw’s head to the
screwdriver’s tip and turn.

39. Think of a screw and a screwdriver.
You just mate the screw’s head to the
screwdriver’s tip and turn.
Simple, no?

40. Not if you’re a child and you don’t
know which way to turn.

41. Knowing how to execute tasks
removes its inherent complexity.

42. Some things can never be made simple.5

43. Some things can never be made simple.5
And that’s fine.

44. Just know when to stop simplifying and relax.

45. The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction.1
Organization makes a system of many appear fewer.
Savings in time feel like simplicity.
Knowledge makes everything simpler.
Some things can never be made simple
2
3
4
5

46. The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction.1
Organization makes a system of many appear fewer.
Savings in time feel like simplicity.
Knowledge makes everything simpler.
Some things can never be made simple
2
3
4
5
All too complicated, perhaps?
Don’t worry.
It all comes down to this:

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

48. If you do that

50. Click here to get the book at Amazon.
I’ve read it and think it is fantastic.
Want to learn the remaining secrets of simplicity?
A presentation by João AlvesDisclaimer: The link provided is an Amazon Affiliate Link.

51. Images used in this presentation and their talented authors
1 – Attention Tree! – by Philipp Klinger
3 – County bubbles - by Ethan Hein
4 – Maze Wallpaper Green – by Tiger Pixel
5 – Cable Confusion - by e-magic
6 – four-leaf clover – by Scyza
9 – Mirror, Mirror, in the Ball – by Daniel Conway
12 – Computers – by coolpix
16 – Weird Cube – by Cieleke
17 – Eye Am Feeling Silly – by Cayusa
18 – Gear Work 2 – by Curious Expeditions
19 – Sign 4: stop – by brokenarts
22 – Desktop marauder – by Brintam
26 – 19th February 2005 – by Paul Watson
32 – 14:47 – by Emborg
33 – Birds – by djayo
34 – Nighty Night Time – by Cvalentine
37 – Light bulb 2 – by brokenarts
37 – Levitation 5 – by bizior
38 – screw 1 – by lusi
38 – screwdriver – by brokenarts
41 – Juggler – by Helico
42 – iphone to infinity for righty's – by K!T
44 – Mediterranean beach – by pale