Simplicity : Shifting Perspectives

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background : Recently, simplicity has emerged as one of the key principles in interaction design and Human-Computer Interaction. Despite its significance, the meaning of simplicity still remains ambiguous.
Methods : In this paper, different notions of simplicity were investigated based on a literature review of fields ranging from art and architecture to product and interaction design. Proposing simplicity as a way to cope with different issues of complexity, modes of simplicity were presented as a descriptive framework to analyze different aspects of simplicity in the existing interface design products. In addition, three distinct forms of interfaces, Skeuomorphism, flat design, and material design, were analyzed based on the framework.
Result : The results indicated that shifting the perspective of simplicity from an emphasis on visual aesthetics (perception) to other aspects (interpretation, interaction, participation) will help to identify major issues and to resolve problems that arise with complexity.
Conclusion : Modes of simplicity provides a theoretical foundation as well as practical and methodological tool that can be applied in design education and practice.