You, as a software developer, have probably heard of this phrase, “if it aint broke don’t fix it”. You probably also hate this, but usually this is a short term thing. Take a look at facebook for example. When v2 gets released, people want v1 back, because v1 was, in their eyes, better. But was it better? Usually it is not, but people have to get used to the new layout first. Then, after a couple of months v3 gets released. Guess what, people complain they want v2 back, because that version was better, but no-one will complain they want v1 back, because that one is old. Take a look at the image below, do you really want to get back to that (2007).

If you would take my advice, I would just ignore these people, don’t even pay attention to them. But take a really close look the the “I like it, but…” people. The other part, the people that just “love it” are no good feedback for you. The “but..” people are. Give them the attention.

Facebook in 2007

You will need to start looking into the future, and take usability. That’s the most important aspect of design. It has to be easy in use, and people should be able to understand everything without having to look up tutorials. It should speak for itself. Both Microsoft and Blackberry released demo videos about how they think the future will look like. Of course, usually it turns out completely different, but in general there is some truth in it. Both companies have the same image in their head, and I think a lot of people look at it like this.

Take a look again to the image above, what would you have changed about that? It looks way to cluttered right? Lots of buttons, links, texts and more in the smallest amount of space the designer could put it in. Now it’s turning around, like in the demo videos. More and more space is added in between compartments on a website, and still we are able to do the same thing. Some more examples following this guideline are for example this weblog (default wordpress theme) or the new gmail interface. Checked it out already? Take a look here.

Let me know what you think about it, and what you’ve done about restyling with more space. It does make sense right? Oh, and I added the video’s below, check them out!

Microsoft:

Blackberry:

Remember: Most, if not all, technologies shown in these videos already exists, or are in development. Nothing you see is impossible.