As the world becomes increasingly complex and complicated, simplicity is increasingly in demand. We all seek simplicity in small or large measure. We strive to create simplicity at work and at home.Simplicity: A Matter of Designoffers a set of terms that allows us to discuss simplicity in design with precision. It looks into the basics of simplicity and researches more in depth three aspects of design: functionality (simplicity for comfort), aesthetics (simplicity for pleasure), and ethics (simplicity for conscience). There is an extra chapter on simplicity in communication.
To present complexity in simple ways is the designer’s noblest aspiration.
To present complexity in simple ways is the designers noblest aspiration.
Simplification is an ideal we think we aspire to, whether we are talking about the simple life, a clean uncluttered aesthetic, truth to materials, or just efficiency and economy. Per Mollerup uses these different motives functionality, aesthetics and ethics as an organising principle for the book, and introduces a wide range of sources and examples.
- Eye magazine
I sat down in the living room. I read, turned the pages, read, skimmed, and read again. A long period passed. Then I stood up and announced to the room, this is a brilliant book! What more need I say? I loved everything about it: the cover, the typesetting, the book design, the illustrations, and most of all, the commentary. I loved the analysis of the levels of simplicity and the distinction between quantity-simple and quality-simple. This is a deep and thoughtful book about a topic that sounds simple but is in fact deep and complex topic. How do I know? I wrote Living with Complexity I wish I had been able to read this book first.
- Don Norman. Author of Living with Complexity.
Professor Per Mollerup is an experienced writer and teacher. He's currently teaching Communication Design at Swinburne Unil£Â
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