People constantly say that they “don’t know what they want.” When it comes to work, relationships, even hobbies, people parade their inability to choose as a positive quality. Or at least, they minimize its effects.

Simplicity, clarity, brevity and the ability to be direct with others and with yourself are some of the most underrated and rare attributes a human mind can have.

A complicated mind is different from a complex mind. The first one means clutter. The second one means decisiveness.

Have you ever been impressed by the default themes? They are as simple and functional as they can get.

On the other hand, the problem with shiny is that it needs to work well. If it’s really pretty but it’s hard to find the RSS button, we’ll leave.

Suddenly design is twice as important.

The two most important design questions you have to answer, in order:

1- How can you make it easier for me?

2- How can you make it look good?

Be original answering that and you’re good to go.

Sparked by Jamie Varon

“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add but when there is nothing left to take away.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Think iPod.

That’s simplicity, that’s perfection.

Not because you look prettier or uglier.

Design is not image.

Design is Functionality.

The way it looks is the way it works.

Bottom Line: The reason why you need a kick-ass design is not just because of the first impression, but because it directly affects your content.

Sparked by Monica O’Brien

You love it.

Or you don’t notice it at all.

Anything in between takes a lot of great content, reputation or recommendations for us to stay more than seven seconds.

Do you have all that?

Neutral empty design is always a safer bet than trying to make it big without knowing how.

With less visual distractions, you can still sell us your content.

There’s a reason this blog only has 3 buttons on its “column”.

It leaves the interaction up to you.

Judging the content is easy because there’s not much else to interact with. There’s not much to see. Even hating it only takes a second.

Lots of links, means lots of interaction. And readers need time for that, which is more valuable than money by now.

Interaction works when the reader already knows you or someone he trusts recommended you (one tweet is not a strong enough recommendation).

Your design matters because tools like Twitter and Facebook are going to bring you many newcomers. Make it simple for them.

Don’t go for interaction on the first glimpse.

Sparked by a debate with Ryan Stephens, Elisa Doucette and Nicholas Young.