Balance between simplicity and functionality

Many designers are most confused about the trade-off and choice between easy-to-use and powerful functions. How can we design products that are both simple and easy-to-use without losing too many features?

In fact, for a software engineer with five years of experience, it is also difficult to weigh. It is possible that the products designed at the beginning are simple and easy to use, but over time, users are constantly raising demands, and engineers are constantly adding functions. In the end, this software becomes very complex and difficult to use. Engineers may be hard to notice this problem during this process, however, the problem was found late.

The trade-off between simplicity and functionality does not have a clear standard for reference. This can only be a person's work experience and thinking.

When a user puts forward a new requirement, the first thing is to think about why the user raises this requirement, because this requirement may be a "pseudo requirement" and the customer's own software design, after understanding the customer's actual needs, we can analyze whether to add a function or whether the system has a better solution. Thinking more will save you a lot of trouble.

Wang Lian, chief designer of workxp, said, "We will not add functions as soon as we have a requirement. We will make a judgment as to whether this function is necessary ." Wang Ti said that some users' demands are actually "pseudo-demand" and can be solved in other better ways. For example, a customer proposed that workxp should add a file sharing function. After in-depth communication with the customer, we actually wanted to put some of the company's files in one place for the staff to check, but permission mechanisms are required. We have an idea for the user. He is very satisfied: the name of a contact is his company, and the file can be uploaded to the contact and can be set to see who. This easily solves user problems, and users also think that the system is very flexible.

Designers can make a correct balance only when they know more about what users need. Designers must have a good understanding of products and requirements before they can make easy-to-use products.

The positioning of the product must be clear and does not need to satisfy all users. Software does not need to adapt to all situations. Sometimes, it cannot do something to highlight its value.

To sum up
1. Do not blindly add features and think more
2. understand the real needs of users and determine whether there is a simpler solution
3. Better understanding of user requirements than users
4. products should be clearly positioned