The Psychology of Simplicity

Why do we often find simple designs appealing? This post touches on the psychological underpinnings, including cognitive fluency (the ease with which our brains process information), the association of simplicity with sophistication, and how minimalism can help mitigate the anxiety caused by the paradox of choice.

Our brains prefer things that are easy to process (cognitive fluency). Simple designs require less mental effort.

Less choice can lead to less anxiety. Minimalism reduces options, focusing attention on what matters most.

Simplicity often correlates with perceived quality and sophistication.