Simplicity in UI Design
The phrase, “keep it simple, stupid” is thought to have been coined by the late Kelly Johnson, who was the lead engineer at the Lockheed Skunk Works. KISS may have been the first usability principle for product design, though it was never formally presented as a usability principle. It focuses on the idea that if we can't understand a product, we can't use it properly and that the widest possible audience must be able to understand it, if the product is to gain maximum market share.
Simple is more convenient for the user. Don't confuse the user with too many choices or flood them with too much information. Confusion leads to unhappiness which will lead to a negative user experience. Have each screen do one and only one thing. Don't put unnecessary controls, graphics or sounds on the screen to distract the user. Distraction leads to wasting time which leads to dissatisfaction.
Whilst simplicity is a desirable goal and can lead to enhanced user experiences, it is important not to let simplicity interfere with the design objective. The user must still be able to carry out their task requirements with the finished products or the design process has failed, no matter how simple the final design. So the Keep it simple mantra should be Keep it as simple as possible but not simpler, which is a phrase attributed to Albert Einstein.
Simplicity is a key design principle. The easier something is to understand and use, the more likely it is to be adopted and engaged with. KISS is a great rule of thumb to be applied when considering our design work in a larger context of usage. However, it is also important not to make things so simple that they compromise the functionality of the final design – users will live with a little complexity if it enhances their overall experience.