The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction: when in doubt, remove.

Drawn from what John Maeda said

What this subject means

simplicity Less, but better: reduction as the way to make something good, and the argument about when it goes too far.

On the topicWhat makes a design good?under our view: Good design is less: reduce to the essentials and leave nothing arbitrary On the topicWhich mental models should a designer think with?under our view: Less, but better: the work is finding the essence and cutting the rest On the topicWhy is it harder to simplify than to add?under our view: Simplicity is subtraction: find the essence and cut everything else

What John Maeda actually said

Do you hold this korrent?Do you also believe this?

In tension with

More emotions are better than fewer: when emotion comes first, do not be afraid to add ornament or layers of meaning.

Maeda holds both laws and they pull opposite ways: when in doubt remove, and when emotion comes first do not be afraid to add ornament or layers of meaning. Which one is in force is the whole judgement, and the pair is the reason simplicity is not a rule you can follow.

Shared subject first, then similar wording. They may agree or disagree.