Newcastle - Starting With The End In Mind

Simplicity is about removing everything that does not add value to the website or support the core message and purpose.
For this reason; designing for simplicity is never a simple process.
It relies upon taking the time to truly understand the needs and aims of You, the client and communicating those needs accurately to a wider audience of Your potential customers.

Simplicity of design requires translating your precise needs into the Language, Imagery and Context that will attract and interest your target audience.

This process can be divided into several Key Stages that apply to companies worldwide, not just in Newcastle :-

Review - Habit or Need

Many processes and actions start out with a good reason or need.
However, the habit continues long after the reason has ended.
By asking:
Why do we do things this way?
we can start to focus on the things that are still important.

Concentration - Getting to the Essence of Your Newcastle Business

What makes your business unique?
What do you do best?
What do you want to do?
Is it important to be based in Newcastle ?
Avoid focussing on anything that does not have an identifiable or valid purpose. If your business caters to a local Newcastle market and customer base focus locally, otherwise, ask:- where is my most important market? Is my business mobile phones, Portable Communication Devices or even portable electronic devices?

Listening

Are there any shortcuts?
Does everyone have the same opinion?
Are there any areas to develop that have been negelected or overlooked as the workload has changed?

Combining

How many functions can be combined that are currently separate?
What aspects of my business should be promoted simultaneously?

Distilling Concepts - Core Properties

What is it 'impossible' to change or remove (without changing the nature of the business)?
These are probably the most important items or functions

Generalisations then Exceptions - The 80:20 Rule

Instead of trying to deal with every situation can we separate out the most common, simplify those then make allowances for the 'Exceptions'? Where do our greatest sales come from?
Do these products produce our highest profits?

Restructuring - Shifting Focus (away from Newcastle ?)

Can we re-organise re-engineer or focus-shift to make the process simpler for your potential audience?

Start Again

Go back to the beginning and design from scratch.
Knowing what I know now - What would I do differently?
Focus attention around key aspects then see how the new system compares to the existing process.

Chunking Down - Reducing Complexity - Simplification

Can we focus on simpler units?
How will they be re-combined?

Removal - Finding the Necessities

If we pretend something does not exist can we still function successfully?
Has it simplified or complicated the process?
Do we have an alternative?

Dreaming - Wishful Thinking - New Reality

What is your 'Ideal' situation?
How can it be made a reality?

Shift Focus - Finding a New Centre

What part should focus our attention to provide the greatest improvement to the whole package?

One Step At A Time

Where do we start? - Newcastle ?
Where do we go next?
Is there a better route?

The Big Picture Approach

What is the overall general picture?
Can we design to that?
Can it be made practical?