“life is simple” is a statement that people look at with scepticism; everyone feels that life just doesn’t come easy. Most people don’t do what they truly want, or they feel incapable of changing what they should.
As a designer, I learned that a realignment of what matters can change everything and put the focus in the right perspective: Do what you love.
Simplicity is my goal and life is simple is for me like the string theory of everything. I think and design in terms of happiness. Does this design make me smile? Does it appeal my aesthetic? Is it honest? Do I understand it? Do I want to share it with my friends?
I often argue that technology isn’t making life easy; more and more people are getting frustrated by new devices that they have to learn, by the constant upgrades of software and bad redesigns of websites. I work daily to fix these issues and I notice a clear lack of understanding of what makes a product a good one. Taking care of the little things is as important as taking care of the big ones because it is the sum of every detail that makes the difference.
Our computers and programs should take care of the boring repetitive tasks while us users should use technology to be more creative. We must design things to be simple, organised, understandable and enjoyable to use. So simplicity is a constant.
One of the best designers of our time, Sori Yanagi, said about simplicity:
Things that are easy to use, survive; regardless of what is fashionable, and people want to use them forever. But if things are created merely for a passing vogue and not for a purpose, people soon get bored with them and throw them away. The fundamental problem is that many products are created to be sold, not used.
The other important goal is to let people save time in effortless interactions so we can have more fun. Yes, fun! Tools should not only be useful but filled with pleasure in using it and sharing it. Apple is a great example of the right product experience.
We need to design emotional connections with our technolgy because those are just cold tools. They appeal to us only because they give us new ways to get in contact with others and it is human to look forward to human touch and be related to someone else, so why don’t we make it more emotional? The most intense experiences of our lives are the ones that make life filled with real emotions.
On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.
Translation: “One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
I design to make life easier. I design for happiness. This life is simple.
Beautiful writing. As a marketing company owner I am very touched. My company is also named after an object which describes the string theory for everything: e8. Many thanks.