Fifth Law - Differences
The fifth law is DIFFERENCES – Simplicity and complexity need each other. It is very true since we need complexity to make simplicity to look or feel simpler; same as complexity, if we haven’t seen simplicity, we won’t feel the complexity. The ever-more complex technological landscape ensures that simple products and services will always stand out.
The author likens the need to swing between these two extremes like a sine wave, or like the irregular rhythm of a song. In fact, Maeda states that “it is the rhythm of simple and complex that matters the most” – how often and where simplicity and complexity are presented will determine how the user perceives them. Everything needs to have contrast and varieties which not only make things interesting but it also acts as rhythm. Finding the balance in between differences will be explained in the sixth law.
-mei-
3 years ago