29th
Chapt 3+4 of TLOS
In chapter 3, Maeda talks about making things feel simple by saving time. After reading this I began to understand how important it is to design something that not only conceptually and aesthetically good, but also think about how time could be saved by using the product. Products like the ipod shuffle is a good example of this. Personally, I never understood them and would get frusterated at the thought of not being able to choose a song or artist at any given time, but Maeda cleared that up for me. It is the idea of not having to spend time searching for music, but to have it choose for you. Many websites are starting to gear searches towards this way or thinking. Giving you options based on your personal preference or at least as must as it an gather by a previous choice. Less work, stress, TIME on our part.
Chapter 4 talks about keeping simplicity by knowledge. Seems obvious at first, but then given examples in the reading it something that I haven’t consciously thought about before. The example of the screw drive. Simple simple design, but without knowing which way to turn, it turns complex. So we need to design so people aren’t overly confused, but still keeping it interesting and fresh. Designing something, either with a familiar aspect or something that is simple, helps people understand. When I first got my blackberry phone I was kinda turned off by the complexity of the thing, but after realizing it worked a lot like a computer (which I am familiar with) made it easier to get the hang of. Also remembering to repeat info. Example: I read these chapters last week and forgot what it was on, so i went back and skimmed it and it was all brought back…
-Shane Miller
