Question

How can designers avoid making their designs overly complex?

Designers can avoid making their designs overly complex by ensuring that the design indicates action by itself. For instance, in the case of a door, making a pillar visible can make it clear which side of the door is attached to a hinge. The key is to keep the design simple and intuitive, so that manual instructions are not necessary. If a design becomes overly complex, its purpose can be lost.

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For simple designs, like those for a door or kettle, manual instructions to "push" or "pull" should not be necessary. Good design should indicate action by itself. Make a pillar visible so that it's clear which side of a door is attached to a hinge. When simple things are overly complex, Norman writes, "the whole purpose of the design is lost."

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