Principles of Calm Technology
Principles for designing technology that informs without overwhelming, moving smoothly between the periphery and centre of our attention.
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Technology should require the smallest possible amount of attention
Communicate information without pulling users out of their environment or task. Create ambient awareness through different senses.
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Technology should inform and create calm
A person’s primary task should not be computing, but being human. Give people what they need to solve their problem, and nothing more.
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Technology should make use of the periphery
Calm technology moves easily from the periphery of attention to the centre and back. The periphery informs without overburdening.
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Technology should amplify the best of technology and the best of humanity
Design for people first. Machines shouldn’t act like humans, and humans shouldn’t act like machines. Amplify the best of each.
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Technology can communicate, but doesn't need to speak
Consider whether your product needs voice or can use a different communication method. Think about how technology communicates status.
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Technology should work even when it fails
Consider what happens when your technology fails. Does it default to a usable state or break down completely?
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The right amount of technology is the minimum needed to solve the problem
Slim the feature set down so the product does what it needs to do and no more. Question every addition.