Dear readers, apologies for not posting for the past few weeks. I am setting up a new WORDPRESS Blog at INGENS website. It can be found here at www.ingens.sg/blog.html. I do hope you continue to show your support.
As for this blog, I will continue to write on it but will take a new positioning. Stay tune for updates in June.
Leong
Monday, 24 May 2010
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Why Simplicity Wins
Today lots of information is fast spreading around and we live in a much connected world than 20 years ago. I am still not sure if my new iPhone makes my life easier or more complex. On average, we get exposed to heaps of data (ads, emails, junk), tools are invented to make information simple for us. A web page 'filter' like Readability is one good example. Readability allows web browsers to install a button on their web browser task bar and it discards away everything that is irrelevant to the main text you are reading. Doing away with ads, web banners, buttons and other links. You pretty much get a simple, black-white text article. You might first find this to be rather boring yet on hindsight, rather refreshing.
Do you crave for such simplicity in your life where it is more straightforward with less frills. Having less is more?
Interestingly, the trend is going the simplicity way. Fresh out of the financial crisis, consumers or tribes banded together and demanded a clearer, more transparent world. Brands are also recognizing this need. Some brands are striving towards being 'simple and transparent'. However, being simple is far more difficult that being complex. Anyone who presents information can attest to this. Having 10 bullet points in a Powerpoint is alot easier than summarizing it to a 6 word sentence and an image that tells the story. Yet the best presenters known today are known for being profoundly insightful yet simple at the same time. How? They painstakingly go through layers of complexity and refining it to make things simple for their audience to understand and spread the message. All these without losing the essence of the message. Here is George Whitesides talking about this topic in TED.
Simplicity wins not because it makes it easier for us to understand but also it allows the message to be digested and communicated quickly to other tribes. If you are struggling with simplicity, start examining simple things first. Look at its simple design and try to 'reverse engineer' why is it done this way? What is the intended purpose and end result? If you can come out with an even simpler solution to achieve the same result, you might be on your way to create something meaningful. Anyone wants to re-invent the ubiquitous PC QWERTY keyboard for a start? How many keys are unknown functionally to you and why is it there?
Be simple and win.
It is what it is. PASTA ALGAR from IKEA Food. Image from IKEA.
Please leave your comments, if any.
Do you crave for such simplicity in your life where it is more straightforward with less frills. Having less is more?
Interestingly, the trend is going the simplicity way. Fresh out of the financial crisis, consumers or tribes banded together and demanded a clearer, more transparent world. Brands are also recognizing this need. Some brands are striving towards being 'simple and transparent'. However, being simple is far more difficult that being complex. Anyone who presents information can attest to this. Having 10 bullet points in a Powerpoint is alot easier than summarizing it to a 6 word sentence and an image that tells the story. Yet the best presenters known today are known for being profoundly insightful yet simple at the same time. How? They painstakingly go through layers of complexity and refining it to make things simple for their audience to understand and spread the message. All these without losing the essence of the message. Here is George Whitesides talking about this topic in TED.
Simplicity wins not because it makes it easier for us to understand but also it allows the message to be digested and communicated quickly to other tribes. If you are struggling with simplicity, start examining simple things first. Look at its simple design and try to 'reverse engineer' why is it done this way? What is the intended purpose and end result? If you can come out with an even simpler solution to achieve the same result, you might be on your way to create something meaningful. Anyone wants to re-invent the ubiquitous PC QWERTY keyboard for a start? How many keys are unknown functionally to you and why is it there?
Be simple and win.
It is what it is. PASTA ALGAR from IKEA Food. Image from IKEA.
Please leave your comments, if any.
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