Simple solutions are often better than the more complex ones.
<aside> ℹ️ Occam’s razor is a mental model which states that “it is futile to do with more what can be done with fewer”—in other words, the simplest explanation is most likely the right one. Be careful, simple does not mean ignoring important facts in an attempt to reduce the complexity. It requires open mindedness to seek a better solution with less complexity and less assumptions, exploring a better way of doing things.
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Occam’s Razor is a ****problem-solving principle attributed to William of Ockham, an English Franciscan friar and scholastic philosopher and theologian during the Medieval period. The name derives from Ockham’s surname plus ‘razor’, which refers to the distinguishing between two hypotheses either by shaving away unnecessary assumptions or cutting apart two similar conclusions. It states that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected.
Ockham didn’t invent “the razor”, but he used it to great extent in his own work. The principle has since been applied in a number of fields that include science, biology, medicine, probability theory and statistics.
The answer lies in a modern interpretation of Occam’s Razor: “Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity”. When applied to our work as designers, Occam’s Razor can be adopted as a guiding principle that informs our decisions and keeps us from reaching for a complex solution when a simpler one is sufficient.
By only introducing complexity when it is necessary, we can ensure that our designs stay lean and void of superfluous elements that do not add value to the user’s experience.
Next time you open Figma/Sketch to begin a new design, ask yourself these questions:
How to Use Occam’s Razor Without Getting Cut
Occam’s Razor: The simplest solution is always the best