Communiqué: “White Space (Part 1)”
February 2nd, 2010
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” according to Leonardo da Vinci.
He’s right.
The best teachers, consultants, pastors, artists, and leaders all do the same thing: they make the complex simple. Does what you do fall into any of those categories?
What should you do when you have to explain something complex? How do you make it simple? Find a metaphor.
If someone doesn’t understand something, figure out a way to say, “Well, it’s just like…”.
Is he still not getting it? Use careful examples. Starting a phrase with “For example…” is one of the most powerful ways to bring meaning to what you are saying.
In graphic design and web design, simplicity is achieved through the use of white space.
What’s white space? Well, it’s just like what you would have when you clear away all the hay to find the needle.
For example, look at how simple it was to donate to Haiti relief efforts through the way this iTunes store page was designed and written:
Adding by subtracting,
brody
P.S. You know that needle that your audience found so easily because there wasn’t any hay? They’re now using it to stitch with.
Tags: audience, communique, complexity, design, examples, graphic design, iTunes, metaphor, simplicity, sophistication, web design, white space, whitespace
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I find that the same principle applies to legal writing, and writing in general. Perhaps the most effective way to emphasize an important point is to make good use of
space.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:38 pm
This was the lesson my high school teacher hoped all his students would take to heart! In my college English classes now I’m always surprised when my prof doesn’t tell people to cut the bullshit and keep it simple. I guess it’s not a lesson that everyone learns.
Great post, I’ll definitely be linking to it.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:43 am
[...] “White Space (Part 1)” we note, as did Da Vinci, that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Often [...]