Embracing constraint

1024 x 768

4:3

16:9

1920 x 1080

30

140

8

Having complete freedom is possibly the worst way to start any project.

Given constraints

With less freedom and fewer resources, we have to make smarter decisions.

Why impose limits?

Simplicity and complexity

Less is more. Simple is be ! er. Right?

We don’t design web pages. We design system s.

800

960

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Constraint is key to understanding complexity. Increase constraint and you create an ordered system; do that inappropriately and you create the conditions for catastrophic failure; remove constraint and the system is chaotic. Dave Snowden, The 5 C’s of Complexity

Content as constraint

The constraints we know, and the constraints we’ve yet to encounter.

Unleash complexity in orchestrated phases, and increase power gradually.

Constraints as selling point

We design to communicate, and we seek emotive responses.

delight / emotion / surprise systems / constraint / restraint simplicity / complexity / focus context / reduction

Thanks Simon Collison @colly