When Simple Interfaces Have Poor User Experience

The complexity sweet spot

Most designers follow the adage "less is more" when designing. Aiming for simplicity usually creates better user experiences. However, sometimes less isn't enough, and users need much more.

Interfaces that are too simple can often confuse users. The example below presents several options not every user understands with a text label alone. It looks clean and minimalist, but it's missing some context. As a result, users can't differentiate the options to make the best choice.