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

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