Simplicity

Simplicity �� Innovation

Mobius ViewJuly 2008

Since the Industrial Revolution, Business has seen three ages


PRODUCE

SELL

INNOVATE


PRODUCE

SELL

INNOVATE

At first those who could produce the most and fastest won

“You can have any color as long as it is black” – Henry Ford


PRODUCE

SELL

INNOVATE

Then came the golden age of marketing –The best marketer always won

“Ninety-nine percent of advertising doesn't sell much of anything” - David Ogilvy


PRODUCE

SELL

INNOVATE

Revolution in Technology and a smaller world has created infinite options for the consumers

“Everything worth inventing probably has already been invented by now” - United States Patent Office (1899)

NOW WHAT

today’s consumers are saturated

“All obvious targets have gone, so people aren’t likely to have easily solved problems” – Seth Godin(Marketing Guru)

SO WHAT

there is a need to make life simpler

the clock is now ticking to ring in the next generation of marketing

simplicity is the new innovation

What are the rules for the new game of simplicity & innovation?


1. Simplify

2. Learn

3. Connect

John Maeda postulated “10 laws of simplicity”

Image source: Imke Lass


Maeda’s 10 laws fall in 3 groups

1. Simplify

2. Learn

3. Connect

Reduce – thoughtful reductionOrganize – organize many to oneThe one – focus on the meaningful

Differences – respect complexityLearn – knowledge simplifiesFailure – simplify on simplisticContext – understand big picture

Time – reduction in time is valueTrust – simplicity establishes trustEmotion – simplicity connects

1. Simplify

2. Learn

3. Connect

Reduce and Organize to focus on The one meaningful idea

A desktop fulfils many needs including provide access to a large number of music files

Reducing the desktop to a hard disk introduces mobility

All mp3 players like ipods are evolution of the basic idea of a hard disk that can play music

1. Simplify

2. Learn

3. Connect

Microsoft Windows simplified the user experience from the days of MS-DOS and made the use of computers a mass consumer experience vs. something for programmers

Microsoft educated the users to interact with computers and this knowledge makes it difficult for them to switch

Reduce and Organize to focus on The one meaningful idea

1. Simplify

2. Learn

3. Connect

Due to complexity it is necessary to constantly learn so that we simplify keeping the big picture in mind

SearchReader

Maps Youtube

Image search

News

Analytics

Enterprise solutionsOffice applications

Google extended its initial success based on a simple interface and powerful by constantly introducing newer offerings by learning moreabout its consumers

1. Simplify

2. Learn

3. Connect

Due to complexity it is necessary to constantly learn so that we simplify keeping the big picture in mind

Nintendo Wiiwon the game console war with Playstationand Xbox by focusing on user experience vs. being technology heavy

1. Simplify

2. Learn

3. ConnectUsing simplicity in design it is possible to achieve definite consumer connect by offering definite benefits like saving on timeand establishing trust and building emotional connect

Sometimes saving in time seems like a big benefit to consumer

1. Simplify

2. Learn

3. ConnectUsing simplicity in design it is possible to achieve definite consumer connect by offering definite benefits like saving on timeand establishing trust and building emotional connect

Simplicity in design creates a loyal consumer base by establishing a very strong consumer connect

how can you make things simpler?

Mobius View ([email protected])

with help from…10 laws of simplicity: John Maeda (www.lawsofsimplicity.com)

Images: Flickr (www.flickr.com)The Featuritis Curve: Kathy Sierra (http://headrush.typepad.com)

Simplicity

Business

Transcript of Simplicity