Radically Simple Websites

“Radical simplicity” is about creating a website that can be used and managed by real people - many of whom do not customarily spend a great deal of time with either computers or websites. In crafting such website, I am equally concerned about two distinctly different issues:

• The need of the website visitor to easily grasp website structure, access site content, and get his or her questions answered.
• The need of the website manager – most usually a human services professional – to actually interact with the website, update various pages as needed, and add pages to the site from time to time. Usually, this manager has only modest understanding of the underlying technology which supports her/his webpages. The site must therefore embody a maximum degree of technical transparency.

These are simple notions, but their essential priority is too often lost due to lack of clarity about essential values which make website truly radically simple.

Achieving radical simplicity

I pursue this website design goal through these means:

• Visual design simplicity - minimal design elements and uncluttered layout.
• Web site navigation elements which conform to normative user expectations - minimal yet sufficient. Visitors will quickly feel comfortable with the navigational tools and conventions your website presents, so that they can get their questions answered without delay or undue effort.
• Web site page relationships which clearly present your services, as well as the means by which a visitor may engage them.
• Writing which tells your story and speaks directly and with clarity.
• Technical elements which conform to highest standards, promoting speed of access, ease of maintenance (especially changes and additions), and accessibility by those with unusual sensory or motor challenges.

A key decision: “Impression” or vision?

Are you managing an impression or expressing a vision? Are you concerned about the size of your splash, or the human relevance of your actual message? I assume you have a serious commitment to your work. I think your website serves you best when it reflects that - by focusing on the content of your message. This will lead to direct engagement with your message, achieved through designed-in immediacy and a sense of human, not industrial, scale. This will work to help people approach you who may be interested in your services.

Achieving ease of access to website content

Ease of content access increases when visual and structural simplicity is a major design goal. Computers and the Internet, as well as webpage site construction and ongoing maintenance, are often too complex for most human services professionals. Yet, I believe that there are ways to close the gap between what one knows and what one needs to know, so that you can take control of much of the management of your website, if this is desired.

My solution to the complex difficulties maintaining an Internet presence is to stay focused on our central purpose: We want to speak, not dazzle, in order that people’s live might be made better. We want ease of access, and a sense of comfort when moving through a website, not amazement coupled by a nagging confusion as to what’s going on.

None of these goals preclude visual beauty and the creation of distinct good feeling. They actually promote these outcomes. The guiding principle is close integration of means and ends – something all good design demonstrates.

Achieving simplicity through collaboration

“Radical simplicity” is the way to stay on track and reach these goals, and it’s done through a collaborative Development Process.