This little parody video really makes the point that usability and simplicity should always be the cornerstone of good design and marketing. Oftentimes, we create briefs, talk about the target audience, and eventually over-complicate things only to find out that our designs are trainwrecks when they hit the wild. One of my favorite lines in this little video is near the end says, “Guys, we’re a little disappointed in how this thing is testing so we’ve got some minor changes.”

I find this little video to be a all too important call to simplicity and function as the bedrock of good solid design. We should always be asking the question, “Can we make this easier and clearer to the user.” Also, it makes a good point in the addage, “test early, and test often.”

The rub has been, and is continually going to be how to direct the client into simplicity and convince them that complexity just befuddles the user. This is where doing user testing - informal or formal - is important to getting buy in.

Hope you enjoy.