1 + 1 = 3: Explaining Busyness and Background Noise on Websites

Published on Jan 18, 2007 (updated Feb 5, 2024), filed under design. (Share this on Mastodon or Bluesky?)

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“1 + 1 = 3 (or more)” is an important design effect described by Josef Albers and Edward Tufte. It means that two elements in close proximity cause a visible interaction:

Two parallel bars that appear to create a third element. — 1 + 1 = 3. (Copyright Al Globus.)

This interaction can result in perceiving information that is not there. Beside having a negative because distracting and distorting impact on charts and graphics it can also, to use Steve Krug’s words, cause undesirable “busyness” and “background noise” on websites.

Therefore, “1 + 1 = 3” is one of the effects you want to avoid, at least be aware of, when creating graphs and designing websites. (Of course, a designer always wants to keep information design principles in mind.) Edward Tufte’s books are invaluable resources in this regard, and I recommend checking out the following excellent articles:

Al Globus on Principles of Information Display for Visualization Practitioners (German), and
Waynes Smith on Graphics and Web Design Based on Edward Tufte’s Principles (German).

About Me

I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m a web developer, manager, and author. I’ve been working as a technical lead and engineering manager for companies you’ve never heard of and companies you use every day, I’m an occasional contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and I write and review books for O’Reilly and Frontend Dogma.

I love trying things, not only in web development and engineering management, but also in other areas like philosophy. Here on meiert.com I share some of my experiences and views. (I value you being critical, interpreting charitably, and giving feedback.)