Is “Cleaner” More Usable?

Aug 6, 2010

There’s an interesting debate going on at UsabilityPost, with an article aptly named A Mild Case of Borderitis. “Borderitis” is what the author believes to be the gratuitous use of borders on a page layout, and whether or not the use of all these borders are necessary in the design. Think, a box in a box. I happen to agree with the this, if a border adds no extra functionality to bring a design together, then why have it at all? This is only one example though. Some are claiming this is purely an aesthetics opinion, rather than a usability decision. But if the purpose of the removal of elements is to present a “cleaner” layout, then how is it not a usability decision?

Aesthetics vs Usability

“Usability isn’t just about getting something to work, it’s also about improving people’s experience when using it. I think a cleaner site will do that.”

- Dmitry Fadeyev

This debate has always been a touchy subject. No two users are ever a like, so a single design will never appease everyone. But as designers, it’s our job is to make sure the appeal and use of a design best fits the majority of our user base. I’ve yet to hear a flattering opinion on a site that uses too many borders, or too many buttons, or too much of anything — ever. Designers add more by stripping more out of the design. Hence, I believe the goal of a “cleaner” look is always appropriate when taking usability into consideration. It’s just taking that extra step to add basic aesthetic sensibilities and achieve a cleaner, more appropriate look for the overall user experience. A good design can take a wildly complicated task, and “clean” up the layout and aesthetics to improve the overall usability.

Aesthetics isn’t a bad word

The term “aesthetics” in the design world has been getting a bad rap lately. Some people like to trash a site if it looks too “pretty” just as others would trash a site they deem too “simple.” I’ve never heard the argument though, that a site is too clean. You can have a clean site and still have your borders, your buttons, your illustrations etc. The important thing to remember is that “clean” does not equal “bare” or “simple” or “boring.” I’ve seen handfuls of sites with content everywhere, but they presented them in a precise, uncluttered way which has made them successful. Aesthetics and usability should work together and cross-over, rather than one always following the other. Aesthetics doesn’t have to be a bad word; good aesthetics can help a design easier to use and that ultimately is what we’re all trying to accomplish.

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