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Here’s another book review and summary I originally wrote for the e-zine, ForAdultsAlso.com (http://www.foradultsalso.com/wc.php?id=102).† As with the other†articles and book reviews/summaries I wrote for the e-zine, I am†also†posting this one†in my blog for†my quick reference.
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John Maeda is not your typical author for a business book. After all, he is a graphic designer, visual artist, and computer scientist. A certified geek by any measure.
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But he is also the founder of the SIMPLICITY Consortium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab where he is also a professor of Media Arts & Sciences. That makes him a bona fide subject matter expert (SME) in the not-so-simple subject of simplicity.
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Maedaís arguments in favor or simplicity are compelling to say the least. His case studies are irrefutable. Take iPod for instance, the epitome of simplicity that translates to millions of dollars in revenue for Steve Jobís favorite company, Apple.
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Very recently, some companies have made simplicity the centerpiece of their corporate strategies. Philips, the Einhoven-based Electronics giant, has developed a worldwide branding hinged on the simplicity principle. Sense and simplicity, the companyís new catch-phrase, quite unequivocally sends the message that Philips products, although using cutting-edge technologies, are simple to use and operate.
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Whether simplicity as a business strategy or principle is nothing but a fad remains to be seen. Nevertheless, The Laws of Simplicity professes that it is ìthe wayî to business success. Itís up to you to believe it or not.
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Book Summary
The book can be summarized through its Ten Laws and Three Keys.
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10 Laws of Simplicity
1.†††† Reduce. The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction.
2.†††† Organize. Organization makes a system of many appear few.
3.†††† Time. Savings in time feel like simplicity.
4.†††† Learn. Knowledge makes everything simpler.
5.†††† Differences. Simplicity and complexity need each other.
6.†††† Context. What lies in the periphery of simplicity is definitely not peripheral.
7.†††† Emotion. More emotions are better than less.
8.†††† Trust. In simplicity we trust.
9.†††† Failure. Some things can never be made simple.
10. The One. Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.
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3 Keys to Simplicity
1.†††† Away. More appears to be less by simply moving it far, far away.
2.†††† Open. Openness simplifies complexity.
3.†††† Power. Use less, gain more.
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I am afraid you will have to read the book to fully understand each of these laws and keys. Donít worry though. The book is quite easy to read. It is relatively short at 100 pages flat. The bookís size itself is relatively small ñ about the size of a typical notebook. #
