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A Good Primer On Simplicity and Complexity In Designs
July 27, 2007 01:28 PM | Posted in: Reading RoomDan Ward has created a nifty primer on the balance between simplicity and complexity in designs that is worth a look. It seems especially useful for designers facing challenges with stabilizing the vision, features, requirements, or other design drivers for a product, service, experience, etc.
The Simplicity Cycle, is "a graphical exploration of the relationship between complexity, goodness and time. It explores the natural development of system design, and highlights both the importance and the dangers of complexity. ...has practical applications for artists, teachers, engineers, architects and anyone else who creates."
A quick read, The Simplicity Cycle is nicely illustrated (replete with potential presentationware for harried consultants...), has engaging nuggets like quotes from Charles Mingus, and is free to download.
local tags: complexity, design, simplicity, systems_theory
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Thanks for bringing this Simplicity Cycle thing to our attention Joe... This Dan Ward guy is brilliant, a visionary way a head of his time and he even tricked me into learning something. Destined for big things, we need to keep an eye on this guy. I know talent when I see it and I think this Dan Ward Rocket is about to take off for planet success, rec we all get a seat before it blasts off...
HALO
Assuming that's not a paid endorsement from one of Dan's friends (I've no reason so far to believe it is...), it's the best recommendation for someone I've seen in a long time!
>> Update: Not paid, but from a friend.
Full disclosure - HALO is indeed a buddy of mine with a tendency for sincere hyperbole... which is not a contradiction in his case. Mucho Thankso for the praise, dude, but feel free to admit you know me. :)