Don't make me think

Highlights

If something requires a large investment of time—or looks like it will—it’s less likely to be used.

Given the finite capacity of the human brain, Holmes explains, he can’t afford to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones

A person of average (or even below average) ability and experience can figure out how to use the thing to accomplish something without it being more trouble than it’s worth.

There’s almost always a plausible rationale—and a good, if misguided, intention—behind every usability flaw.

Every question mark adds to our cognitive workload, distracting our attention from the task at hand.

The most important thing you can do is to understand the basic principle of eliminating question marks.

If you can’t make something self-evident, you at least need to make it self-explanatory.

Why are things always in the last place you look for them? Because you stop looking when you find them! —CHILDREN’S RIDDLE