Open, Purposeful, Less

A reader and I had, over the past several days, a very interesting conversation about simplicity, design, and the general approach to less to get more. He read Observations On Design and Observations On Simplicity, and sent me originally two quotes from those posts that resonated with him.

From Observations On Simplicity:

"I believe that simplicity leads to quiet and peace. When you don’t have to fight with a process, a process that is simple and understandable, then you lower the stress, you flow with the process, and you have more time to think about the things that are important. The same applies to visual clutter, I think. The simpler something is, the more its lines flow in a natural way, the less the assault on the senses, leading to a tranquil mind."

From Observations On Design:

"I like smooth, simple things. Sure, that’s me. I find a clean and straight line much nicer than a curved one that has no reason to be curved, that it’s just curved for the sake of adding something."

He asked me if these two comments were connected. My answer was yes, that they were connected.

Why?

Think about it. The less visual and mental clutter, the more “space” you have. Space in your mind for sure, but also physical space around you.

Open, purposeful, less. These are the words that come to mind when I think about simplicity and minimalism.

Empty spaces are beautiful. Simple lines are best.

Add nothing that has no real value. If you can make something with one line, why add another for the sake of adding something?

Sure, small details and beautiful touches sometimes are great, but make them tastefully. Not adding clutter, but rather aiding the focus on less.

Personally I prefer things and designs that are fit for purpose. Tools and processes that have been carefully crafted to get to the most minimal version of them. Simplicity doesn’t have to impede usability, quite the opposite, I think simplicity can help with usability.

When something is simple it is easier to understand.

The world is complicated as it is, and it’s getting more complicated - and complex - by the second. I think we owe it to ourselves to strive for less. To strive for simplicity. To focus on open, purposeful, and less.