The principle that interfaces should contain only what is relevant, since every extra element competes for attention and dilutes the important parts. It favours restraint over decoration.
Synonyms
- minimalist design
- content-first design
Related terms
- visual hierarchy
- cognitive load
- signal-to-noise ratio
- white space
In plain words
- keeping only what matters on the screen
- cutting the clutter so the important stuff stands out
Usage example
Following aesthetic and minimalist design, they stripped the dashboard down to the three metrics that mattered.
Don't confuse with…
- visual hierarchyThis heuristic is about removing the irrelevant; visual hierarchy is about ranking what remains by importance.
Categories
- Usability principles