This article on Cognitive Overhead from a co founder of Bump is an interesting read. It turns out that looking at simplicity too simplistically can lead us to miss the point. The article refers to "the number of logical connections or jumps your brain has to make in order to understand or contextualize the thing you’re looking at”. The more convoluted the jumps, the less comprehension of value your user may perceive. This isn't mere minimizing of clicks - it is about forging a clearer path from user action to benefit.
There's a user-centered design principle I've kept in mind over the years which I feel is certainly related - Keeping It Real. While we are capable of learning what various abstract signals convey, a more direct representation of the ramifications brings the message home more effectively. This direct path can take many forms:
- A pictogram of fingers being mangled by a rotating mechanisms rather than words warning not to reach into this opening...
- The pleading voice of a mother rather than a repetitive beep...
- Leading the user's eye via form and color to the "action" end of a tool rather than a large area on the side where you could fit the logo...
