ABC

Media_httplawsofsimpl_igcyt
This weekend I submitted a little book to be published as part of an exhibition in Tokyo of twenty or so folks' books to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Tokyo Type Director's Club. It's 32 pages of random ideas I had last week, and if you're interested in seeing the rest of them they will be up in Tokyo over the winter holiday season.
Posted by John Maeda
 

Human 2.0

Which one are you? '; printf('',$i+1,$i+1); if (($i%4) == 3) echo ''; } ?>
Posted by John Maeda
 

More Deskpats versus Less

I had promised to add more desktop pattern images over winter break but my break never came. Since I was taking so long, reader/designer Bert Mahoney sent me a few desktop patterns to help me finish this task. My fonts were different so I went and did a few more thanks to Bert's encouragement.
Media_httplawsofsimpl_crknn
 
Media_httplawsofsimpl_sandc
Desktop pattern for a normal 4:3 aspect ratio screen (~50kb).
 
Desktop pattern for a 16:9 widescreen (~50kb).

The Third Law time expresses the importance of watching (or at least enjoying) one's springs.

Media_httplawsofsimpl_vrcdg
 
Media_httplawsofsimpl_cxjde
Desktop pattern for a normal 4:3 aspect ratio screen (~50kb).
 
Desktop pattern for a 16:9 widescreen (~50kb).

As I am a fan of all forms of education, my favorite Law remains the Fourth Law learn.

Media_httplawsofsimpl_efdki
 
Media_httplawsofsimpl_xxgbr
Desktop pattern for a normal 4:3 aspect ratio screen (~50kb). [hc]
 
Desktop pattern for a 16:9 widescreen (~50kb). [hc]

In the Fifth Law differences I mean to express that if there's a yin, there's a yang.

Media_httplawsofsimpl_yovsw
 
Media_httplawsofsimpl_ecabc
Desktop pattern for a normal 4:3 aspect ratio screen (~50kb). [hc]
 
Desktop pattern for a 16:9 widescreen (~50kb). [hc]

Keep your eye off the road to become aware of the Sixth Law context, but try not to forget where you're going.

PS Bert selected the colors for Law 3 and Law 4 for me in the examples he had sent. That certainly made it easy for me. Not having to think--that's real simplicity. Thank you Bert!
Posted by John Maeda
 

Law 2: Organize (Desktop Pattern)

Media_httplawsofsimpl_htgcw
 
Media_httplawsofsimpl_ufixb
Desktop pattern for a normal 4:3 aspect ratio screen (~50kb).
 
Desktop pattern for a 16:9 widescreen (~50kb).

The Second Law organize says that fewer is just a state of mind.

Posted by John Maeda
 

Law 1: Reduce (desktop pattern)

Media_httplawsofsimpl_dfavh
 
Media_httplawsofsimpl_vmwoi
Desktop pattern for a normal 4:3 aspect ratio screen (~50kb).
 
Desktop pattern for a 16:9 widescreen (~50kb).

The First Law reduce is simple, use she: shrink, hide, embody. Use good judgement—that's often complex.

Posted by John Maeda
 

LOS "splotch" (desktop pattern)

Media_httplawsofsimpl_wsacb
 
Media_httplawsofsimpl_rblwa
Desktop pattern for a normal 4:3 aspect ratio screen (~300kb).
 
Desktop pattern for a 16:9 widescreen (~300kb).

The pattern on the right is from a series of abstract illustrations I made in 2001 that were highlighted in my book MAEDA@MEDIA. I place in counterpoint to the simple red circle on the left because they show counterpoint between simple and complex. Don't immediately assign the quality of "simple" to the circle on the left—what you see is always deceiving.

Posted by John Maeda