Simple design
One of the most distinctive current design trends is simplification. These simple designed products can be easily found around us. Examples are ranging from electronics such as Apple’s iPod, LG’s chocolate phone, and B&O’s BeoSound system to interior accessories such as Muji’s fan and the humidifier at Plus Minus Zero (by Naoto Fukasawa).Considering that some minimally designed products made a huge commercial success, we need to understand how consumers respond to simple product, the product with minimal number of designable product features such as colors, shapes and buttons.
Samsung Multi function printer
Good things about simplicity has been discussed in various areas. For instance, John Maeda (2007), a computer scientist and graphic designer argues in his book, The Laws of Simplicity that simplicity needs to be accomplished in graphic design as well as in organizations, business, and technology. Wallace (2006) also attributes the success of Apple and Google to their simple products and websites, urging marketers to deliver selective distinctive benefits in today’s visually overloaded environment.
Bang & Olufson speaker
However, it is also true that many European designers complain that, mostly US, consumers are not ready to embrace the value of simplicity. Dor Norman in his blog also argues that simplicity is highly overrated.
LG projector
Now, my questions are (1) whether simplifying product form (without sacrificing functionality) increases consumer preference, (2) if so, why it affects so, and (3) when simplifying product form backfires.
