Joy! to use

I’m in a certain mood for simplicity after the past few months of wrapping my brain around complex software solutions and coding at school.

I’ve just finished reading Don’t Make me Think (quick rundown: the best web usability primer, by Steve Krug). I’m now on to the Design of Everyday Things (quick rundown: a fun and informative introduction to the design of simple objects and the psychology of how humans learn how to use them, by Don Norman).

Both of these texts praise the value of removing barriers to the experience of interacting with a particular thing. Norman says that a door should be implicitly easy to use, and you shouldn’t have to consciously think, “push or pull?”. Krug says that the search feature of a website should be nothing more than an open box with a ‘go’ button, without filters or decisions or drop-down options. Both of these declarations seem obvious and straightforward, but often times these two simple tasks are aggravatingly convoluted. To boot, the negative feedback (which is what happens when you actually perform this task incorrectly) is usually subconscious and directed at oneself (i.e. “gosh I’m silly for not knowing how to…”).

But, when you hit an experience that is simplistically brilliant, do you notice? Do you have an iPod and appreciate its subtle but effective design? Or do you ignore the shape and features entirely and absentmindedly hit play before you slide it in your pocket? Either way, you win.

I have a juicer that is made up of 8 removable parts. Not only do I have to hand wash all those parts every time I use it, I also have to remember how they assemble each time I put it back together, all the while trying not to self-mutilate myself with the juicer’s blades and cutters. Why? I dread and avoid the otherwise useful tool, and I lose out on fresh juice.

The idea of user experience, or user-focused design, is a central component of the web 2.0 experience. It even has its own really great descriptive term – joy of use. I like the idea of making things more human-friendly and undemanding. We, the Public, are getting tired of multiple-release versions with new and improved! features and bible-size manuals.

For a rare glimpse of the joy of use, check out the iPhone release experience last week. Wish I was there.