Don't Make Crap

layervault:

I’m very excited to talk about a technique that we’ve started using at LayerVault. We call it Progressive Reduction.

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Progressive Reduction is an awesome concept that involves simplifying the user interface as a user becomes more experienced.  Most often, a user needs a little time to get used to a new UI.  Certain buttons aren’t obvious and the user hasn’t memorized the processes involved in using your app.  Layer Vault decreases how obvious the UI is as the user becomes more experienced.  

The app starts out with all the buttons including text labels and other helpful elements that make it easy to use.  As the user begins to memorize what buttons do, the buttons become less and less obvious and remove text labels.  This allows the interface to become less “in your face”, and allow it to become an easy tool.  This is an awesome technique to allow your user interface to respond to the experience of your user.