Highlights from “Laws of Subtraction”
Recently, I read “Laws of Subtraction”. The book is mostly about creativity, design, and work; at least, in my view :) Here are few highlights from the book.
- Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, and adding the meaningful.
- The simplest rules create the most effective experience.
- Observe first, design second.
- It’s tough to create a compelling solution unless you thoroughly understand the problem your customer or user is trying to solve, which every mortal designer worth a lick aims to do by first immersing himself or herself in the world of those with the problem.
- When you are confident, you begin to subtract. As you subtract, you become more confident.
- Although necessity may be the mother of invention, not worrying about paying the bills is the father of entrepreneurship.
- The effect of any experience is determined by how actively engaged we are as we move through time and space in a particular setting.
- Lao Tzu — a leader is best when people barely know he exists; when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: “we did it ourselves.”
- Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing you can do.
- Attempting to be comprehensive is sometimes the enemy of utility.
- When you are creating a new reality, a good bit of the old one gets destroyed.
- In order to be creative, the one thing we absolutely must subtract is judgement.
- Sometimes you won’t know what to subtract until you have added.
- The ability to edit is critical for a designer.
- Spend time deciding what you will not do so that you can focus on the good stuff.
- More questions. Less advice.
- Stay out of the way of whatever you’re trying to accomplish.
If you like books written by Steven Pressfield and Scott Berkun, then you will enjoy this.
