Simple and Usable Web, Mobile, and Interaction Design

Part 5. Organize

Organize

Organizing is a great strategy for simplifying. In the case of the DVD remote control, it’s probably the solution I’ve seen most often. It’s usually an inexpensive solution—changing the layout and labeling the buttons on the DVD remote control costs less and demands fewer tough decisions than, say, removing.

There are plenty of options open to you in organizing an interface—size, color, position, shape, hierarchy. But those choices need to be employed with restraint. Some of the DVD remote controls I’ve seen over the years have had so many colored buttons they look as though they’re made from Skittles.

If you want to organize for simplicity, it’s important to emphasize just one or two important things. Simple organization ...