The Result of Maturity Is Simplicity

Published on May 26, 2009 (updated Feb 5, 2024), filed under design. (Share this post, e.g. on Mastodon or on Bluesky.)

This and 133 other posts are also available as a well-behaved ebook: On Web Development.

Finally, it doesn’t lack irony that more often than enough, web design gets protected by the credo “the end justifies the means” and pragmatism’s paid homage to. The question is whether you’re talking about unhealthy, sanctimonious pragmatism or healthy, intelligent one. Functionality and simplicity are siblings of the latter; maturity is what our industry ultimately gains.

From my contribution to the all new Web Designer’s Sketchbook (German).

About Me

I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m an engineering lead, guerrilla philosopher, and indie publisher. I’ve worked as a technical lead and engineering manager for companies you use every day (like Google) and companies you’ve never heard of, 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 with respect to politics and philosophy. Here on meiert.com I talk about some of my experiences and perspectives. (Please share feedback: Interpret charitably, but do be critical.)