The KISS principle is an acronym of Keep it Simple, Stupid and is a principle where simplicity should be the primary goal in the design, and unnecessary complexity should be avoided at all costs. In other words, it emphasized making a system simple to make it work better, which otherwise would’ve not been possible if made it complicated.
The KISS principle was originated in the US in the 1960s. The focus has clearly stated that simplicity is the fundamental goal of designing something. People should avoid complex designs to make things more complicated for one to work with. The most system works best when kept simple.
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What is the KISS principle?
Definition: The KISS principle is defined as a design principle that suggests that most systems work best if they are kept simple and straightforward. KISS principle or Keep it Simple, Stupid was popularly used in the 1970s.
Consumers don’t care how clever the product’s design is; the point is it should be easy and convenient to use. However, to make the design simple, KISS is not meant to imply stupidity. On the contrary, the design is associated with intelligent systems that are often misinterpreted as stupid due to their simple design. The KISS principle ensures the prevention of system failure, IT issues, and so on.
Origin of Keep it Simple Stupid Principle
In the US Navy in 1960, Kelly Johnson had formulated the KISS principle while working as an engineer for the Lockheed Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin’s advanced aircraft program for different combat conditions.
Johnson has founded the KISS principle during a long engineering career of designing systems using simple tools and skills. Designing a jet aircraft only with simple tools can be very challenging. The term ‘Stupid’ in KISS is referred to the relationship between the things that fall apart and the sophistication available to repair the parts.
Different variations of the phrase are-
- Keep it simple, silly
- Keep it short and simple
- Keep it simple and straightforward
- Keep it small and simple
- Keep it simple, soldier
- Keep it simple, sailor
- Keep it sweet and simple
The acronym of KISS is often used by many in the US military and software development. TechTarget has made the following comment on the KISS principle as it is self-descriptive and recognizes two things; meaning the statements are;
- Consumers want things that are simple and are easy to use.
- It eases the company’s burden because making the products and services simple reduces the time and cost.
Relation of KISS Principle and Consumer
When a consumer buys a product or avails of service, no one cares how many years were spent designing or making those products or services. The consumer’s main concern is how easy it will be to use or whether the products are affordable or not.
Products that are simple to use along with easily readable instructions sell more in the market. One should follow the KISS while creating a product or upgrading it to an existing one.
Role of KISS principle and Good Design
The KISS principle is one of the integral components of a good design in software and technology. Technology is something that is not always well-understood by the general public. So for any given product type, the users might have many similar options to choose from.
For example, there are many ways to save money on internet safety tools and products. There are huge lists of separate ways to accomplish the aim to prove that the market offers many options that most of the users can’t comprehend without the need for expert help. And in this market, if one can only deliver the products, then it becomes easy for one to achieve success.
Even companies like Amazon have listed KISS as one of its core principles. The company states, “leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify.”
One of the benefits of KISS is a deep understanding of why something is occurring. If one doesn’t incorporate the principles of simplicity in the design, one will likely suffer from product conflation. Deploying a product with a strong focus saves the developer’s precious time and resources.
Applying the KISS principle in your designs is not that difficult as it may seem. You must have the vision to create a simple product for your users. You must emphasize the user experience.
Even if applying complexity is the Necessity, the sole aim should be to enhance user experience. Follow the below-mentioned tips to apply KISS principle in your designs –
1. Have a vision
The prime requirement is to have a vision towards creating an easy to use the product. You are creating that product for your users, and your goal should be to give them a friendly user experience.
2. Prefer graphics and visuals
If you are presenting information, then try to introduce graphics and visuals as much as you can. Our brains can easily comprehend the information in visual form. Even if the information is complex, you can make it simple to understand through graphics.
Ensure that they are clutter-free. Whenever you are creating diagrams, try to spread out things as much as possible.
3. Neutral and basic is not bad
People often have this myth that going classical is not good. Things that are more neutral and classical are always less fussy that modern and complex ones. You don’t need to make it boring; rather, you can go for certain evolutions in that.
4. Prefer user-friendly software
When you are leading the design team, make sure that you prefer the software that is user-friendly and promotes similar content. You and your team will find it easy to manage things with such software.
5. Always plan your work
To create simpler products, you need to have a roadmap for that. Things are unplanned often lead to complexity. Plan for everything and every phase in your product’s design and avoid complexity to the maximum.
6. Revisit
You created your product, but it is always wise to have a relook. If something goes wrong, you can fix it there. You can subtract certain functions that are causing the complexity of your product.
Caution at the time of applying KISS as a Product Design Principle
There is no doubt that simplicity is an admiral goal that can enhance a user’s experience. But note that it is important not to let this simplicity adversely affect the design’s objective. For example, DSLR cameras are more complex than the camera found in the latest model of smartphones. Now, the complexity of the DSLR camera can be resisted when it exists for the person who uses it for one’s own sake. And in such cases, the complexity can enhance the user’s experience.
DSLR, although is more complicated than a normal smartphone camera, it provides more options to photographers. A consumer, when buying a DSLR, accepts the fact that it will have additional functionality. KISS principle has been applied here, which is kept in line with the user’s expectations.
Alternative Concepts of the KISS Principle in the History
The KISS principle origins have many similar minimalist concepts, such as-
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) who was an Italian engineer and an artist has quoted-
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) who was a German-American architect who was also one of the greatest pioneers of modernist architecture has once said-
Less is more.
Albert Einstein has said-
Make everything as simple as possible but not simpler.
Bjarne Stroustrup, a Danish computer scientist who created and developed the C++ programming language has said-
Make simple tasks simple.
Examples of the Kiss Principle
Some of the world’s popular algorithms are the common examples of the Keep in Simple Stupid principle. By using the fewest lines of code, these algorithms are designed and when someone goes through these lines of code, they can easily understand them.
From programming languages and database systems to different areas of human life, it is applied to so many places while designing products or services. So, excepting love, emotions or you may say human relations, KISS can be used as a design principle.
Conclusion!
Simplicity should be the key principle of every design. The products that are easier to use are likely to be more in demand in the market. However, it is also important that the simplicity should not be compromised with the functionality of the final design.
Also, think about the user experience at the time of designing a product. It will give a clear perception as to what is expected by the company for its product.
What are your thoughts about the effectiveness of the KISS principle in making better product designs?
