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Low information density means "less clutter" for somebody new to the interface, but it means "many more steps" to provide all the information that a dense desig
by mixologic 6y ago
Low information density means "less clutter" for somebody new to the interface, but it means "many more steps" to provide all the information that a dense design allows for. So much design fails to take into account human expertise, and our ability to learn complex interfaces. They get the A/B treatment which optimizes for beginners, which always leans towards the simpler, easier design.
This is why we'll never get a better spreadsheet design. In the hands of experts it's already perfect.
If modern UI designers were responsible for building musical instruments, there would be a lot more kazoos and recorders, and a lot fewer cellos and bassoons.
- bconnorwhite 6y agoExcel today is still cleaner than Excel 2010, and Google Sheets easier to use than both. Most spreadsheet users simply don't need the extra functionality Excel provides, and the few users that do need this use the product enough to have memorized the keyboard shortcuts.
- hackerman123469 6y agoYes that is true for Excel but that is not true for Github.
- Deimorz 6y agoThis is also linked to the obsession with constant, never-ending growth. Bringing in new users is more important than making existing users happier - you just need to keep them happy enough that they won't actually leave. It results in targeting the design towards people that don't use the product (yet) instead of the ones that already do.
- mixologic 6y agoSeriously one of my biggest pet peeves. So often I hunt around for the login button, annoyed at being force fed some growth hackers moronic idea of a good interface. It undermines the likely hood that I will "recommend this product to a friend".