Plain vs. Simple in Product Design
Plain and simple — what’s the difference?
We so often hear the phrase, “It’s plain and simple!”
Is a simple design always a plain design, too?
In a time where simple design is highly sought after and expected of good designers, are we also striving for plain? What is the difference? How do we create designs that are simple, without being too mundane?
Let’s start with some definitions…
Simple — adj. easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty. Synonyms: straightforward, uncomplicated, effortless, painless
Plain — adj. not decorated or elaborate; simple or ordinary in character. Synonyms: ordinary, unadorned, basic, modest, unsophisticated
Although the word “simple” is used in the definition of plain, I would say they are quite different from one another. Here’s why:
Simple has much more to do with a task or solution and how easy or difficult it is to accomplish.
Plain, on the other hand, has more to do with our senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) and how excited or uninterested they are.
Simple generally tends to be a positive way of describing something, while declaring something as plain is typically more of a negative descriptor.
Good design is simple, not plain
A design that is simple does not have to be a design that is plain. I’d encourage you to separate the two, and to strive for simple without settling for plain.
Here are some design tips for keeping your simple designs from getting too plain & boring.
1. Style your text with good hierarchy and color
Is text the only thing you’re working with? Great! Put those typography muscles to work and come up with some interesting hierarchy. It will help draw people in and keep them engaged in the story you’re trying to tell.
2. Add illustrations and animations to empty states
Need to ask for location? Push notifications? Notify that there’s no internet connection? Get creative with parts of your app where there are empty states or user prompts. Illustrations are a great way to do this. Spicing up a plain view with a unique illustration can create a memorable experience that will leave a lasting impact on your user.
3. Use color to draw attention to the important information
The color is the entire experience on this energy prediction chart. It’s a very simple view, but the colored waves help to make it interesting and clear. Use color pops in smart ways to help tell the story of your application. Be careful not to overdo it, though.
4. Include a subtle design element for added interest
The colored shadow boxes in this example add a nice touch. Bonus points for the diagonal box in the bottom right corner. Using a design element in the exact same way throughout the app can become mundane. It’s great to switch things up at times.
5. Use lightly colored backgrounds as opposed to light grey backgrounds
This one is such a small change, but can make a huge difference. Using a lightly colored background in place of a grey background can create the perfect amount of added interest in your design. In this example, the average person will not think twice or consider what color the background is. It has a subtle but effective color that gives the dashboard a tiny bit more interest.
Conclusion
The goal of a simple design is that it’s easy to use.
Simple and plain aren’t synonymous when it comes to product design, because simple is about functionality and plain is about the senses. Simple can be plain, or it can be engaging.
When working to make your designs simpler, remember that it doesn’t have to be boring. Use the tips above to give your experiences brand, personality, and delight, and use your knowledge of your users to determine what will be engaging to them.
Tell us what you think
- Do you view plain and simple as different?
- Have any tips for avoiding designs that are simple without being too mundane? Share them below!
- Is plain always bad? Do you have any examples where plain was necessary or important?
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