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The Laws of Simplicity (Simplicity: Design, Technology, Business, Life) Hardcover – August 21, 2006

by John Maeda (Author)

563 ratings

Part of: Simplicity: Design, Technology, Business, Life (10 books)

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Ten laws of simplicity for business, technology, and design that teach us how to need less but get more.

Finally, we are learning that simplicity equals sanity. We're rebelling against technology that's too complicated, DVD players with too many menus, and software accompanied by 75-megabyte "read me" manuals. The iPod's clean gadgetry has made simplicity hip. But sometimes we find ourselves caught up in the simplicity paradox: we want something that's simple and easy to use, but also does all the complex things we might ever want it to do. In The Laws of Simplicity, John Maeda offers ten laws for balancing simplicity and complexity in business, technology, and design—guidelines for needing less and actually getting more.

Maeda—a professor in MIT's Media Lab and a world-renowned graphic designer—explores the question of how we can redefine the notion of "improved" so that it doesn't always mean something more, something added on.

Maeda's first law of simplicity is "Reduce." It's not necessarily beneficial to add technology features just because we can. And the features that we do have must be organized (Law 2) in a sensible hierarchy so users aren't distracted by features and functions they don't need. But simplicity is not less just for the sake of less. Skip ahead to Law 9: "Failure: Accept the fact that some things can never be made simple." Maeda's concise guide to simplicity in the digital age shows us how this idea can be a cornerstone of organizations and their products—how it can drive both business and technology. We can learn to simplify without sacrificing comfort and meaning, and we can achieve the balance described in Law 10. This law, which Maeda calls "The One," tells us: "Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, and adding the meaningful."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this breezy treatise, graphic designer and computer scientist Maeda proposes ten laws for simplifying complex systems in business and life-but mostly in product design. Maeda's upbeat explanations usefully break down the power of less-fewer features, fewer buttons and fewer distractions-while providing practical strategies for harnessing that power, such as SHE: "Shrink, Hide, and Embody." The first three laws, based on principles of reduction, organization and efficiency, form the foundation for increasingly complex and self-referential concepts like the importance of context and the potential for failure in simplification (by the end of the book, Maeda is chiding himself for using too many acronyms). Combined with trust and emotional engagement (laws 7 and 8), Maeda demonstrates how complex systems can become downright lovable: Maeda recalls "the Tamagocchi craze of the late 1990s... showed that anyone could fall in love with a small electronic keychain," drawing a corollary to the almighty iPod (an iconic example referred to throughout). Emphasizing the delicate balance-work involved in simplifying the complex, Maeda admits the process isn't easy, and that his ten laws don't necessarily provide all the answers-in numerous places, he directs readers to the web site where his theories continue to develop. Despite that, this slim book feels complete in itself; not only will it stimulate ideas, it will keep readers thumbing back for a second and third look at Maeda's deceptively simple advice.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Abstract recommends this book particularly to marketing people, product designers and technical writers.—GetAbstract—

FINALLY, a book about simplicity that is not too academic to read.... At the book's heart is the Shinto belief in animism, the spirit in all objects. Nicholas Negroponte, one of Maeda's mentors, once told him to become a lightbulb, not a laser beam. This he has done; all this and more.

—Susan Salter Reynolds, The LA Times—

John Maeda's new book, The Laws of Simplicity, is simply terrific. It's exactly 100 pages, the illustrations are brilliant and the 10 Laws of Simplicity (plus Three Keys) are a canon to design one's entire life, much less specific products, services or business models. The subtitle is: Design, Technology, Business, Life.

—Bruce Nussbaum, BusinessWeek's blog "NussbaumOnDesign"—

Keep it simple, Stupid' is an old piece of advice, so much so that it's often abbreviated as the 'KISS principle.' But it's advice that's often ignored, and MIT Professor John Maeda aims to change that.... Designers and marketers will find Maeda's book both interesting and useful....

—New York Post—

Maeda's Laws and Keys have an obvious practical application in everyday running of a busy life (and desktop); they also have the potential to translate into a productive methodology for any craft or design practice.... A very humble, enlightened and caring human, John's written a little bible.

—Liz Farrelly, Crafts Magazine—

Maeda's upbeat explanations usefully break down the power of less-fewer features, fewer buttons and fewer distractions-while providing practical strategies for harnessing that power.... Emphasizing the delicate balance-work involved in simplifying the complex, Maeda admits the process isn't easy, and that his ten laws don't necessarily provide all the answers-in numerous places, he directs readers to the web site where his theories continue to develop. Despite that, this slim book feels complete in itself; not only will it stimulate ideas, it will keep readers thumbing back for a second and third look at Maeda's deceptively simple advice.

—Publishers Weekly—

Technology and life seem to be getting more complicated, yet two great success stories, Google and the iPod, both provide the antidote of simplicity. In The Laws of Simplicity, John Maeda uses humble prose to provide an accessible guide, business and life, observing the principle: 'Simplicity equals sanity.'

—David Smith, The Observer—

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ The MIT Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 21, 2006
Edition ‏ : ‎ Later prt.
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0262134721
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0262134729
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.58 x 8.31 inches
Part of series ‏ : ‎ Simplicity: Design, Technology, Business, Life

Best Sellers Rank: #776,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Industrial Product Design
- #63 in Industrial & Product Design
- #32,036 in Business & Money (Books)

Customer Reviews:
563 ratings

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John Maeda

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American technologist and product experience leader that bridges business, engineering, design via working inclusively.

MIT-trained computer scientist, both risk manager (MBA effect) and risk taker (learner effect), and seasoned for-profit/non-profit growth executive. Author of five books including the new How To Speak Machine and the bestselling Laws of Simplicity. Recently EVP/CXO of IT consultancy Publicis Sapient serving digital transformation needs globally across industries plus FED/SLED with the LEAD (Light, Ethical, Accessible, Dataful) system. Board of Directors at Sonos and the Smithsonian Design Museum, former President/CEO of Rhode Island School of Design and Partner at Kleiner Perkins venture capital in Silicon Valley. During his early career, Dr. Maeda was an MIT research professor in computational design represented in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and recipient of the White House’s National Design Award. He has appeared as a speaker all over the world, from Davos to Beijing to São Paulo to New York, and his talks for TED have received millions of views.

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Customers find the book readable and well-written, with one noting its personable prose. Moreover, the simplicity aspect receives positive feedback, with customers appreciating how it treats simplicity as a philosophical inquiry. Additionally, customers like the book's length, noting it's short, and one mentions its brilliant design. However, the insight aspect receives mixed reactions, with some finding it insightful while others describe it as dull.

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Readability Simplicity Book length Design Insight

25 customers mention "Readability"22 positive3 negative

Customers find the book readable and well-written, with one customer noting that the author's prose is personable.

"Great book. Also great paper and package quality. Worth to read. Nice cover" Read more

"This is a very good book that I would like to keep an read over and over...." Read more

"All the books I've bought, are written very successful." Read more

"...designed, printed and bound for those of you interested in good quality book and a favorable price.)" Read more

19 customers mention "Simplicity"14 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the book's approach to simplicity, describing it as a philosophical inquiry that must be read by designers.

"...II really enjoyed it. My favorite is Law ten: "Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful."..." Read more

"I have given 5 stars for the incredible, simple and easy to read book...." Read more

"...me wrong this book had a lot of interesting points but it was more work to read trying to remember all of the authors many acronyms. "..." Read more

"...The Laws of Simplicity is a delightful manifesto on embracing simplicity in a complex world...." Read more

5 customers mention "Book length"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate that the book is short.

"...It is a short book and I read it in one sitting this weekend. II really enjoyed it...." Read more

"...read anything on this topic, it may be a good starting point: it is very brief and readable...." Read more

"...Chapter 3: Time Ultimately, with advances in new technology, time is saved and our way of life becomes much more convenient...." Read more

"...book was quite good, it covers a complex topic (haha) in a short form and manner...." Read more

3 customers mention "Design"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's design, with one mentioning its nice cover and another noting its brilliant layout.

"...I was even excited when I received it in the mail as the book was brilliantly designed...." Read more

"...Also great paper and package quality. Worth to read. Nice cover" Read more

"Wow what a dry book. The cover was the most interesting part.." Read more

26 customers mention "Insight"16 positive10 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's insights, with some finding it insightful and interesting, while others describe it as really dull.

"...John’s prose is personable and inspiring, like a mentor talking to a mentee without sounding pedantic or standoffish...." Read more

"...when simplicity pleases us and when it becomes rather useless and uninteresting...." Read more

"In the spirit of the book: useful, makes objectives more right, simple book too. Pay attention, move on." Read more

"John Maeda’s The Laws of Simplicity is a delightful manifesto on embracing simplicity in a complex world...." Read more

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Linesther
Must read!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

John Maeda’s The Laws of Simplicity is a delightful manifesto on embracing simplicity in a complex world. With humor and wisdom, Maeda distills essential principles to help streamline design and life. A refreshing and insightful read for anyone looking to declutter and focus on what truly matters!

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Diogo
Great book, bad e-book
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2012
Verified Purchase
Although the author repeats itself a bit to highlight certain ideas, the content is great.
My only reason not to give 5 stars is that the quality of the e-book edition is lacking: it looks like a scanned book.

The author makes a joke about "the physical book you are reading" being old-fashioned compared to the rising phenomena of e-books... Quite ironic that the e-book edition is so poorly executed and that this joke is left as is.

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David Meerman Scott
Not just for designers
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2008
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I had an opportunity to hear John Maeda speak recently. Here are a few things John said that I really like: "Humans want 'more' (food, storage, stuff). So 'more' is an important marketing concept. But while humans want more, design is about less. Yahoo design is about more. Google design is about less."

I ordered "The Laws of Simplicity" even before his speech was done. It is a short book and I read it in one sitting this weekend. II really enjoyed it. My favorite is Law ten: "Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful."

I am not a designer. Instead I write and speak about marketing. While John writes about simplicity as it relates to design, I am convinced that the same things apply to marketing and PR. For example, marketers love to use big gobbledygook words when they write - things like "mission critical" and "next generation". But simplicity of language is what sells. So I am recommending Laws of Simplicity for marketers too.

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20 people found this helpful

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djac
Great idea but Maeda's style may not be what you're expecting.
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2007
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I found the laws themselves to be thought provoking; my mind immediately engaged the task of relating the laws to my own work. While the laws themselves are a delicious reduction the text itself is just the opposite. With such a dogmatic title strapped to a compact book I expected Maeda to directly confront on the topic of simplicity in a brief yet concrete manner (similar to how William Strunk hits the target dead on with The Elements of Style). Instead Maeda only lightly probes "simplicity" with lots of personal anecdotes, abstract thoughts and the iPod (for most examples). The book is more of a meditation on the topic than a "law" book.

I highly recommend reviewing the laws at John Maeda's site: [...] and consider doing your own meditations. Read the book only if you're interested in viewing the cogs turning in the mind of Maeda without them producing the condensed sweetness you might expect in such a compact tome.

(The hardcover book itself is nicely designed, printed and bound for those of you interested in good quality book and a favorable price.)

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43 people found this helpful

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Jian
This book drag me back from being over complicated
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2019
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I was a person who always want to design something unique and spent lots of time, but the results were not desired. With the recommendation of my professor, I read this book and I was also involved in Community-Built project at the same time. During the process of working in studio and woodshop, I generally realized something. Being simple does not mean I do not need to think, it may mean that when I raise a solution for a question, I should dig deeper to decrease the complexity of this solution. Finally the form of the solution becomes simple, while it still solve that problem perfect. I would say "user friendly" is a kind of being simple. Keeping that "balance" is really important.

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Eric
Simplicity and Complexity a mix to be mastered
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is a very good book that I would like to keep an read over and over. John Maeda goes through a very delicate and difficult topic regarding Simplicity. Bottom-line is that simplicity and complexity are required everywhere and nothing can avoid it (this mix is presented in the universe, nature, human existence.. everywhere)... Otherwise if everything is simple, it would be boring.

By mastering a skill we become artists in our professions and we can create masterpieces where simplicity and complexity will be mixed at our own specific and personal way !

By subtracting the obvious, adding the meaningful, being organized, getting trained, gaining confidence, being prepared for failure and adding the human feelings we will achieve simplicity !!!

It is a very good book that I highly recommend to anyone to read.

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Parmenides
Superficial
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2006
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
If you have not read anything on this topic, it may be a good starting point: it is very brief and readable. But if you have read something or even thought about the topic, you will be disappointed. This book aims at the teenage level.

Maeda gives 10 laws (rules of thumb) for simplicity, some of which have nothing to do with simplicity. But it all boils down to #10: "Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful". Hardly a new idea worth writing about.

Another idea is to organize lists of items in tables (Ch. 2). Come on!

Maeda abuses acronyms that serve no purpose: SHE, BRAIN, SLIP but annoy the reader. He acknowledges he got help to write and revise the book but his helpers did a poor job. In Ch. 5 Meade states: "Nobody wants to eat only desert [...] By the same token, nobody wants to have only simplicity". The crown is the sentence (p. 95): "We wear out as humans, so it's only fair and natural that batteries should wear out too". If you cannot find where the nonsense lies in that sentence, you may enjoy the book.

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11 people found this helpful

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Richard Charette
Good Books
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Simple but powerful book.

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Amritanshu Prajwal
Thoughtful
Reviewed in India on September 8, 2020
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Exceptional!
Must to read if you want a clutter free design practice .

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Hugo
Un libro muy interesante
Reviewed in Mexico on October 21, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
El libro muestra un contenido muy interesante, util para cualquier rama de diseño, recomendado ampliamente

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Jakob
A classic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
John Maeda is an easy read on simplicity. So well written using it’s own principles that I remember much of it 10 years+ after last reading it:)
Gifted it a few times. If you are doing ux or product design, you need it. If not, you probably need it too;)

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Gustavo Chelles
Bom, mas torna-se chato por se preocupar em criar siglas e passo a passo para tudo
Reviewed in Brazil on November 14, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Bom livro, mas se preocupa excessivamente em passar receitinhas e passos baseados em siglas, torna-se chato.

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Cliente Amazon
Perfecto.
Reviewed in Spain on May 16, 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Un gran libro. Perfecto si eres diseñador y quieres ver tu profesión con una mirada más hacia el futuro, un paso más allá.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful

5.0 out of 5 stars Un libro muy interesante

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic

3.0 out of 5 stars Bom, mas torna-se chato por se preocupar em criar siglas e passo a passo para tudo

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfecto.

Thoughtful

Un libro muy interesante

A classic

Bom, mas torna-se chato por se preocupar em criar siglas e passo a passo para tudo

Perfecto.