The Effect of Design Elements on Simplicity, Usability, and Product Preference: A Video Conference Application Case Study

Simplicity achieved by minimizing the number of controls is a major guideline for designing usable products. Still, restricting the number of controls in interfaces to achieve simplicity may not be a wise strategy for communicating usability. Our model suggests that although the number of objects in designs helps determine visual simplicity, design elements influence the perceived simplicity of products. Design elements that enhance orientation and structure enable many otherwise-described complex objects to be perceived as simple. To test the effect of simplicity on usability, both visual and perceived simplicity are analyzed. We report a qualitative pilot study and a subsequent experimental study that helped test our model. While the number of objects helped determine the level of simplicity, adding design elements moderated the perceived complexity of control-laden designs. Designs with either a medium or a large number of both objects and design elements were judged as highest for perceived usability.