Aesthetic and Minimal Design

Interfaces should not contain information that is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every extra unit of information in an interface competes with the relevant units of information and diminishes their relative visibility.

The goal is to make sure that every element on the screen has a clear purpose and does not add unnecessary complexity.

Key ideas of the principle

Clarity Over Complexity

Interfaces should prioritize important information and actions while avoiding unnecessary elements that may distract users.

Visual Hierarchy

Use typography, spacing, and contrast to help users focus on the most important content and actions.

Consistency in Design

A clean, consistent visual style with well-structured layouts enhances usability and provides a more intuitive experience.

Avoiding Redundant Elements

Remove any unnecessary buttons, texts, or other elements that don't directly help users achieve their goals.

Whitespace usage

Ample spacing helps users to focus on content without feeling overwhelmed by cluttered interfaces.

A minimalistic and aesthetically pleasing design improves usability through:

  1. Reducing cognitive load makes it easier for users to find what they need.
  2. Increasing user engagement and satisfaction by providing a visually appealing and clean experience.
  3. Improving performance, as simpler designs often result in faster interactions and lower error rates.
Key Takeaways
  • Prioritize important information and remove unnecessary elements that may distract users
  • Use visual hierarchy through typography, spacing, and contrast to guide users' attention
  • Employ whitespace strategically to improve content readability and reduce cognitive load
  • Ensure every interface element serves a clear purpose and adds value

Further reading

Aesthetic and Minimalist Design (Usability Heuristic #8)
Detailed explanation by Therese Fessenden from NNGroup.
Heuristics #8: Aesthetic and Minimalist Design-Simplified by the examples.
Nice article by Harsh Gorasia with a lot of examples.
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