Keep It Simple!

Lets start with a Cliche - There was a time when computers were only for the scientists and mobile phones only for the super rich and the very important. So naturally i remember the complicated and costly things were, the more premium they commanded. I remember during my college days any gadget that was easy to use was err...uncool, whereas something that was very complicated and had a big manual was always the most desired thing....

I realize now that it all boiled down to sophistication, the earlier times loved sophisticated things. Sophisticated tools, Sophisticated attire, Sophisticated demeanor and what not.

Thats the reason why everyone tried to pretend sophisticated - even corporate logos were much more complex those days.

But Something happened down the line... Everyone NOW is trying to pretend simple, lovable and cute.

Look at the logos of the tech companies for instance - most of them, although working on the cutting edge try to keep or have reinvented their logos as something simple and cute.

I somehow feel that being sophisticated is no longer cool! Simplicity and being lovable is the "in thing".

Thats the reason why probably the blackberry is slowly losing out to the more cute and lovable Androids and Apples.

and so it also looks like bold statements are out and only the humble and approachable is in!

The Question is WHY? Why is everyone suddenly trying to change our perception - from being sophisticated to being something simple!

In my opinion there are 4 reasons.

1) We have more options now, Everybody can do Everything! If its not HTC we have the Samsung. The hardware is same, the platform is same - the only differentiating factor is the

how they make us feel ( the UI) and how they treat us ( the service)

2) We are more intelligent and we don't rely on flashy and overtly sophisticated logos to influence our decisions, instead we rely on the internet, on the reviews; to find out the real picture. Nobody can fool Anybody.

3) We have become more humane these days. There is no apparent cold war, we are global citizens and we breathe brotherhood. We loathe Arrogance. We are a generation which supports wikipedia! And naturally the "Show-off" kinds are not welcome here!

4) The icons of the new generations are simple. Google , wikipedia, Sergy Brin, Mark Zukerberg. And not Armani and Donald Trump!!!

What do you think?