Abdellatif BouhellalAbdellatif BouhellalMore Flexibility, Less Usability: The Tradeoff Every Designer Faces
The flexibility-usability tradeoff highlights the balance between versatility and ease of use. Flexible designs, like a Swiss Army Knife, can perform multiple functions but are generally less efficient than specialized tools designed for specific tasks. Flexibility often leads to increased complexity, making the system harder to use. In contrast, more specialized designs offer higher usability when future needs are clear. The tradeoff is critical in design decisions where future use is uncertain, such as in personal computers versus more specialized devices like gaming consoles.
Google Docs offers a clean, focused interface for easy document creation, emphasizing usability over flexibility
Notion promotes flexibility with its all-in-one workspace, but the abundance of features can complicate usability and hard to learn
