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.)

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 at various companies (e.g., Google); I’m an active web and tool developer (code optimization, digital defense), a contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and a book author (O’Reilly, Frontend Dogma).

I love trying things—in web development and engineering management, but also in politics and philosophy, where I hold to one idea in particular: that we can only be well if we take good care of everyone. Here on meiert.com I talk about some of my perspectives and experiences. (Please share feedback: Interpret charitably, keep it friendly, but do be critical.)