Written by Alan Smith

由艾倫·史密斯 ( Alan Smith)撰寫

Minimalism has been an increasingly popular trend in the web design world. Designers may be tempted by bolder, feature-rich design because it might seem like the best way to engage user attention. Research, however, suggests that this is not the case. In fact, the same research suggests that visual complexity affects a user’s perception of the site within 50 milliseconds of exposure. Understanding this fact about first impressions can guide you to making the most of that time.

極簡主義已成為Web設計界越來越流行的趨勢。 設計師可能會被大膽，功能豐富的設計所吸引，因為這似乎是吸引用戶注意力的最佳方法。 但是，研究表明事實并非如此。 實際上，同一項研究表明，視覺復雜性會在用戶暴露50毫秒內影響用戶對該站點的感知。 了解有關第一印象的事實可以指導您充分利用這段時間。

Users are most attracted to sites that have a clean design. Moreover, people are increasingly aware of a site’s usability. Modern users tend to favor designs that focus on necessary components and eschew distracting bells and whistles. While it may sound counterintuitive, minimalist design can offer higher user engagement, better usability, and appeal that is more aesthetic.

用戶最受設計簡潔的網站的吸引。 而且，人們越來越意識到站點的可用性 。 現代用戶傾向于偏重于必需組件并避免分散注意力的設計。 雖然聽起來很違反直覺，但簡約的設計可以提供更高的用戶參與度，更好的可用性和更美的吸引力。

極簡設計的簡史 (A Short History of Minimalist Design)

Some web designers mistakenly regard minimalism as a primarily aesthetic choice. They neglect the fact that the ultimate goals of minimalism are usability and economy — the ability to do more with less. To avoid the pitfall of focusing only on aesthetics, it is important to understand the roots of minimalist design. While it may be a newer trend in web design, the underlying ideas have been around for much longer.

一些網頁設計師錯誤地認為極簡主義是主要的美學選擇。 他們忽略了以下事實：極簡主義的最終目標是可用性和經濟性-事半功倍的能力。 為了避免只關注美學的陷阱，了解簡約設計的根源很重要。 盡管這可能是Web設計中的一種新趨勢，但其基本思想已經存在了很長時間。

When discussing minimalist design, one of the first things people may think of is Japanese traditional culture. Because of cultural values that favor balance and simplicity, Japanese architecture, interior design, and graphic design have long employed minimalist aspects. The emphasis is on simple colors and design choices that promote functionality and a sense of calm.

在討論簡約設計時，人們可能首先想到的是日本傳統文化。 由于主張平衡與簡單的文化價值觀，日本建筑，室內設計和圖形設計長期以來一直采用極簡主義。 重點是簡單的色彩和設計選擇，以增強功能和沉穩感。

As a Western movement, minimalism began early in the 20th century. Influenced by the introduction of modern materials, such as glass and steel as well as new building technologies, architects such as Mies van der Rohe began to employ minimalist designs in their buildings. Interestingly, Van der Rohe is credited with first applying the phrase “less is more” to design, making him an icon in the minimalist movement that shaped much of the modern era.

作為西方運動，極簡主義始于20世紀初期。 受玻璃，鋼等現代材料以及新建筑技術的引入的影響，密斯·凡·德·羅(Mies van der Rohe)等建筑師開始在其建筑中采用簡約設計。 有趣的是，范德羅(Van der Rohe)首先在設計中使用了“少即是多”一詞，這使他成為影響現代時代的極簡主義運動的標志。

The less-is-more attitude quickly moved from architecture to other arts and industries — interior and industrial design, painting, and music. The central idea was to do away with any element that didn’t significantly contribute to the deeper purpose or function. As a preference for simplicity developed, so too did consumer products that employed the concept. Mid-century modern furniture did away with excess ornamentation and focused on clean lines. This carried through to the present with furniture manufacturers like IKEA offering simple, easy-to-use designs.

從少即是的態度Swift從建筑轉向其他藝術和行業 ，包括室內和工業設計，繪畫和音樂。 中心思想是消除所有對深層目的或功能沒有重大貢獻的要素。 作為對簡單性的偏愛，采用該概念的消費類產品也得到了發展。 本世紀中葉的現代家具取消了多余的裝飾，而只注重干凈的線條。 IKEA等家具制造商一直提供簡單易用的設計，直到現在。

Minimalist web design began as a natural application of these principles in reaction to a trend of increasing complexity in web design. Unnecessary animations and Flash intros bogged down the user experience, and some web designers decided that it was time to return to the less-is-more mentality.

極簡主義的網頁設計是對這些原理的自然應用，以應對網頁設計日益復雜化的趨勢。 不必要的動畫和Flash簡介阻礙了用戶體驗，一些Web設計師認為該是時候回到“少即是多”的想法了。

極簡網頁設計 (Minimalist Web Design)

Minimalism was applied to web design first in the early 2000s but has recently seen a flurry of interest. The popularity of these designs is evident in the success of such sites as Squarespace and the demand for minimalist-inspired WordPress themes.

極簡主義于2000年代初首次應用于網頁設計，但最近引起了人們的關注。 這些設計的受歡迎程度在Squarespace等網站的成功以及對極簡風格的WordPress主題的需求中顯而易見。

Even Google, the most popular website in the world, demonstrates minimalist principles:

甚至Google (世界上最受歡迎的網站)也展示了極簡主義原則：

The Google homepage is designed entirely around its central search function. Anything unnecessary to the function, other than branding, was eliminated. Branding is even more prominent. Not only is it one of the few visual elements on the page, but because the page remains uncluttered; it’s not distracting. Google’s minimalist philosophy is a great one to follow to improve user experience and promote engagement.

Google主頁的設計完全圍繞其中央搜索功能。 除品牌外，該功能所不需要的所有東西都被消除了。 品牌效應更為突出。 它不僅是頁面上為數不多的視覺元素之一，而且還因為頁面保持整潔。 這不會分散注意力。 Google的極簡主義理念可用來改善用戶體驗和促進互動。

極簡主義的組成部分 (Minimalist Components)

Consider the following important applications of minimalist web design to maximize the effectiveness of an interface.

考慮以下最小化Web設計的重要應用，以最大化界面的有效性。

Use of Negative Spaces: In this context, negative is a positive. Negative space is just the empty space between visual elements. More empty space means more emphasis on existing elements. In the above example of the Google homepage, it’s impossible for users to have trouble finding the search function. Negative space helps prevent information from overwhelming users.

負數空間的使用 ：在這種情況下，負數是正數。 負空間就是視覺元素之間的空白。 更多的空白空間意味著更多地強調現有元素。 在上面的Google主頁示例中，用戶很難找到搜索功能。 負空間有助于防止信息淹沒用戶。

By removing anything that isn’t necessary to the page’s goal, designers ensure that users have a less stressful and more engaging experience. The most challenging aspect of executing proper use of negative space is in not removing so much that users have to search unnecessarily for the features they need — that would defeat the purpose of minimalist design. While negative space is often also called white space, it doesn’t have to be white. Some sites use full-color backgrounds to energize empty space.

通過刪除不需要達到頁面目標的所有內容，設計人員可以確保用戶的壓力較小且更具吸引力。 正確使用負空間的最具挑戰性的方面是不要刪除太多內容，以至于用戶不必要地搜索他們所需的功能，這將使簡約設計的目的無法實現。 盡管負空間通常也稱為空白 ，但不必一定是白色。 一些網站使用全彩色背景來激發空白空間。

Contrast: Employing a simple high-contrast palette gives a site a fresh, modern look. When there are fewer visual elements on a page, the palette can have a greater impact. Moreover, high contrast can help make a site more readable and can direct users to important information or potential actions. As the goal of minimalist design is ease of use and efficiency, high contrast is good choice for many sites.

對比度 ：使用簡單的高對比度調色板可以使網站看起來清新，現代。 當頁面上的可視元素較少時，調色板會產生更大的影響。 此外，高對比度可以幫助使站點更具可讀性，并可以將重要的信息或潛在的操作引導用戶。 由于極簡設計的目標是易于使用和效率，因此高對比度是許多站點的不錯選擇。

Dramatic Typography: Whether employing minimalist principles or not, typography is a key to successful web design. In minimalist design, however, dramatic use of typography becomes even more influential, because there are fewer elements on a page. This places more emphasis on typographical decisions and can be employed to great effect.

戲劇性的排版 ：無論是否采用簡約原則， 排版都是成功進行網頁設計的關鍵 。 但是，在極簡主義設計中，由于頁面上的元素較少，因此大幅使用排版會產生更大的影響。 這更加強調了印刷決定，可以被運用來產生很大的效果。

Designers should be cautious when using dramatic typography, however. Use ornate fonts sparingly and as central design elements. Choose content with care to be sure that the emphasized message or action is the right one.

但是，使用戲劇性版式時，設計師應謹慎。 盡量少使用華麗字體并將其用作主要設計元素。 請謹慎選擇內容，以確保強調的信息或操作正確。

Simplicity: Simplicity is, ironically, a little more complex to define in the context of web design. It’s not just about the way a site looks; it’s about the user’s overall experience interacting with the site.

簡單性 ：具有諷刺意味的是，在Web設計的上下文中定義簡單性要復雜一些。 這不僅與網站的外觀有關。 這是關于用戶與網站互動的整體體驗。

One thing that simplifies a user’s experience is the ability to accomplish tasks easily and without distraction. The biggest contributing factor to this kind of simplicity is intuitive page navigation. “Simple” designs don’t confuse or distract users from accomplishing their goals. Rather, they blend into the user’s experience, so that the user can focus.

簡化用戶體驗的一件事是能夠輕松而又不會分散注意力地完成任務。 這種簡化的最大因素是直觀的頁面導航。 “簡單”的設計不會混淆或分散用戶實現其目標的注意力。 相反，它們融入了用戶的體驗，因此用戶可以集中精力。

Another way to simplify design is to cut unnecessary decorative elements, such as Flash animations. While Flash was popular for several years, it tends to create problems on a page and doesn’t add anything in the way of functionality. Under the principles of minimalist design, it’s just not a good idea.

簡化設計的另一種方法是削減不必要的裝飾元素，例如Flash動畫。 盡管Flash流行了好幾年，但它往往會在頁面上產生問題，并且不會在功能上添加任何內容。 根據簡約設計的原則，這不是一個好主意。

簡單但清晰 (Be Simple, But Clear)

As with appropriate execution of negative space, designers should be careful not to eliminate necessary features while trying to simplify a site. An example of this problem is the popular hamburger menu, where central navigation is collapsed under a single menu icon.

與負空間的適當執行一樣，設計人員在嘗試簡化站點時應注意不要消除必要的功能。 這個問題的一個例子是流行的漢堡菜單，其中中央導航折疊在單個菜單圖標下。

There are instances where the hamburger menu is an appropriate choice but for many sites, a visible central menu will better engage users. If a site’s goal is to expose users to new information or products, taking away the menu function in the interest of simplicity actually works against minimalist goals.

在某些情況下，漢堡菜單是一個適當的選擇，但是對于許多站點而言，可見的中央菜單將更好地吸引用戶。 如果站點的目標是使用戶接觸到新信息或新產品，則為了簡單起見而取消菜單功能實際上會違反最低限度的目標。

極簡主義，成功的用戶體驗 (Minimalism for a Successful User Experience)

In web design, it might be most accurate to revise the less is more adage. Less is more if less does more. As the web design field focuses more and more on user experience, designers need to create the most usable and attractive sites possible. Carefully applied, minimalist principles can help designers make attractive and effective sites with fewer elements, simplifying and improving users’ online interactions.

在網頁設計中，修改越少可能越準確。 少即是多，少即是多。 隨著Web設計領域越來越關注用戶體驗，設計師需要創建盡可能最有用和有吸引力的網站。 認真運用極簡主義原則，可以幫助設計師以更少的元素制作有吸引力且有效的網站，從而簡化和改善用戶的在線互動。

想了解更多？ (Want to learn more?)

If you’re interested in the intersection between UX and UI Design, then consider to take the online course UI Design Patterns for Successful Software and alternatively Design Thinking: The Beginner’s Guide. If, on the other hand, you want to brush up on the basics of UX and Usability, you might take the online course on User Experience (or another design topic). Good luck on your learning journey!

如果您對UX與UI設計之間的交叉點感興趣，請考慮參加在線課程“成功軟件的UI設計模式”和“ 設計思維：初學者指南” 。 另一方面，如果您想了解UX和可用性的基礎知識，則可以參加有關用戶體驗 (或其他設計主題 )的在線課程 。 祝您學習愉快！

(Lead image source: Foundry — Creative Commons License)

(主要圖片來源： Foundry-創用CC許可 )

Originally published at UsabilityGeek by Alan Smith, who is an out of the heart writer voicing out his take on various topics of social media, web design, mobile apps, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, startups and much more in the cutting edge digital world. He is associated with SPINX Digital a Los Angeles web design company & digital marketing agency.

由艾倫·史密斯 ( Alan Smith)最初在《 可用性》雜志上發表，他是一位發狂的作家，他在社交媒體，網頁設計，移動應用程序，數字營銷，企業家精神，初創企業以及新興數字世界中的許多主題上發表了自己的見解。 他與SPINX Digital(洛杉磯網頁設計公司和數字營銷代理)相關聯。