Simplified Views
Design interfaces that offer a simpler version of themselves — fewer options, less visual complexity, clearer paths — for users who need or prefer reduced complexity.
Who This Is For
- People with cognitive disabilities who are overwhelmed by complex interfaces
- Older adults who prefer simpler, more predictable tools
- New users who don't need advanced features yet
- Anyone in a stressful or low-energy context
- People using assistive technology where less clutter means faster navigation
Core Principle
The simplified view is not a lesser version. It's a focused version that contains everything needed for the core tasks and nothing that isn't.
Design Patterns
Feature Layering
- Identify core tasks (what 80% of users do 80% of the time)
- Show core features by default
- Advanced features accessible via "Show more" or "Advanced"
- Never require the advanced view to complete basic tasks
- The simplified view should feel complete, not stripped
Progressive Complexity
- Start simple, let users add complexity as they need it
- Onboarding should begin in simplified mode
- Offer to increase complexity when the user demonstrates comfort
- "You might also want to try..." not "You're in basic mode"
- Never make users feel that simplified = inferior
Dashboard Simplification
- Default dashboard: 3–5 key metrics, primary actions
- Full dashboard: all metrics, secondary actions, configuration
- Let users choose which cards/widgets to show
- Remember their choice across sessions
- Provide preset layouts: "Essential", "Detailed", "Custom"
Navigation Simplification
- Simplified nav: top-level items only
- Full nav: all levels visible
- Both must reach all content — simplified may need more clicks but each click should be obvious
- Breadcrumbs help users who take the longer path
Form Simplification
- Show required fields only by default
- "Show optional fields" expands the form
- Smart defaults reduce decisions
- Break complex forms into steps in simplified mode, show all fields on one page in advanced mode
Implementation Approaches
User-Controlled Toggle
- Visible setting: "Simplified view" / "Full view"
- Available in app settings AND on the page itself
- Preference remembered across sessions
- Clearly labelled — never hidden
Responsive Simplification
- Automatically simplify at smaller viewports
- Mobile views are inherently simplified — embrace this
- Don't try to cram the desktop layout into mobile
Role-Based Defaults
- New accounts start in simplified mode
- Power users can switch to full mode
- Admin accounts may need full mode by default
- Let users override role-based defaults
Anti-Patterns
- "Lite" versions that lack essential features
- Simplified modes that are clearly afterthoughts with broken layouts
- Forcing users to request simplified mode through support
- Patronising language ("Easy mode for beginners!")
- Removing access to content rather than reorganising it
Assessment Questions
- Is there a simplified view available for complex interfaces?
- Can core tasks be completed entirely in simplified mode?
- Is the toggle between modes easy to find and use?
- Does simplified mode feel complete, not stripped?
- Are user preferences for view mode remembered?