Minimizing Complexity In User Interfaces — Smashing Magazine

[Minimizing Complexity In User Interfaces (via @smashingmag) -](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/10/07/minimizing-complexity-in-user-interfaces/) Clean. Easy to use. User-friendly. Intuitive. This mantra is proclaimed by many but often gets lost in translation. The culprit: **complexity**. How one deals with complexity can make or break an application. A complex interface can disorient the user in a mild case and completely alienate them in an extreme case. But if you take measures first to reduce actual complexity and then to minimize perceived complexity, the user will be rewarded with a gratifying experience. [](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/10/07/minimizing-complexity-in-user-interfaces/) We recently faced this very challenge while designing two Web-based applications, including an enterprise-level content management system. What follows are several **techniques that have helped us streamline complex applications** into lightweight user experiences. The first weapon for fighting the villain of complexity is a hatchet. Studies have found that 80% of users use only 20% of software features. Not only are all those unused features a waste of development time, but they frequently detract rather than add value by making the application more difficult to use. Applications that try to do everything often struggle to do _anything_ well.