CH9
In chapter 9, Maeda explains that some things cannot be simplified. A flower, for instance, would lose much of its beauty if it were simplified. He also uses his book as an example of failure, saying that the laws established in the book are either incomplete, have too many acronyms, or have bad gestalts.
CH10
Subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful is the concept introduced in chapter 10. For chapter ten Maeda has three keys. The first key is that more appears like less by moving it far away. Complex processes are moved far away from us, and presented to us through simple functions. Key two: openness simplifies complexity. By being open, we can simplify complex processes that require a wealth of knowledge. Key three: use less, gain more. By using less resources and having restrictions, Maeda claims that we can often get more done.
- josh power
CH 7
In chapter 7 Maeda talks about the importance of emotion in design. Feeling in design is a very important aspect. If there is no emotional connection to the design, then it can be hard for a viewer to relate to the design. I think that feeling and emotion in design can also help to communicate a message more clearly. For example, Maeda talks about how typewritten smileys can communicate emotions that are hard to express through just text alone.
CH 8
Chapter 8 talks about putting trust. The question is how much trust are we willing to put into design and things around us? Maeda uses an example of Google’s search feature, “I’m feeling lucky”, in the future being able to guess exactly what website the viewer wants to go to. I personally would not want to leave this much control up to technology.
- josh
Chapter 8 Maeda talks about the simplicity in design by teaching us that we need to be able to be comfortable and relax. When learning to swim as an adult, Maeda learned that he had to trust the water before he could grasp the concept of swimming. If he were to panic, then swimming would have become that more difficult. It goes the same with design. When we relax and become comfortable with the tools, buttons, etc that we are using, learning becomes easier.
Chapter 9 “Simplicity and complexity shift with subtle changes in point of view.” Not everything work with the most simple forms. There is a need for complexity and when done right, can be really amazing to look at. In some cases the mixture of simplicity and complexity can be the ticket to a great product. Whether the concept takes the simplistic aspect of the piece and graphics are rendered in a complex way, or the opposite, this combo can make an existing product that much better.
-Shane Miller
CH 5
I thought the story he tells of the imperfect tea cup was a good illustration of the interaction of simplicity and complexity. When I am working, I don’t often consider how simplicity and complexity can interact with each other. It is interesting how these two concepts can compliment each other.
CH 6
In chapter six, Maeda talks about paying attention to the background. In the beginning of the chapter, he talks about either being a “light bulb”, and illuminating everything around you, or being “laser beam” and only illuminating a single point. This concept has interest to me, because I want to broaden my design, yet seem to continue to focus on concepts and styles I have already used.
- Josh power
Chapt 7- Emotion in design. Maeda talks about using emotion and feeling when we design. There is something that emotion can do that nothing else can. Even just a simple :) can mean so much more than the word smile. It is interesting how much we use emotion without even realizing it when texting one another. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?!?! instead of- where have you been? There is a different feeling behind the first one. You can almost hear the person saying the words. I <3 using these stupid little thing-ums! He also talked about the fact that things can be so simple that people feel the need to add to them in order to “save” the product. We just need to think about each scenario differently
-Shane Miller
Chapt 5- Law 5 is about simplicity and complexity and how they need each other. “Nobody wants to have only simplicity.” As designers, and even just people in general, if we continue to have the same thing over and over, we get tired of it and it becomes dull unless there is something that can break up the pattern. In this case, we need complexity every once in a while to contrast against the simplicity that most people prefer. They need each other. so instead of making everything super simple and easily attainable in whatever way, we need to incorporate the idea of complexity from time to time for a change of pace. This will also allow you to become more creative in ideas and so forth…
Chapt 6- Law 6 is about simplicity not being peripheral. “What appears to be the immediate relevance may not be nearly as important compared to everything else around.” To start things off, Maeda talks about the essence of white space on a page. If there is too much we cannot help but notice it and even want to fill it in at times. He also talks about ambience and how it is everywhere. We can try to block it out, but instead we concentrate on another sound just as annoying.
-Shane Miller
