'Stealing simplicity'

Above:Dieter Rams' 1960s Braun products (left) Current Apple products (right)

I am currently writing a dissertation on the idea of simplicity in design. A major historical date in the history of ' Design simplicity' was the opening of the Bauhaus school of Design in Weimar, Germany, in 1919. Its influence on Design theory is unquestionable. I am fascinated by current trends in relation to Gropius' Bauhaus revolution, especially the 'Cult of Apple' that seems to have obsessed itself with the Design community, or rather we obsess over Apple.

 A recent example that 'simplicity sells' can be seen with the Apple iPod, which does a lot less but costs more. What we all want from design is essentially one button function, how much simpler can you get? The iPhone achieves this principle to a 'T', but as I have found it certainly wasn't the first. Dieter Rams' products at Braun in the 60s were exquisite and deserve all the accolades Apple receive today...

I would also suggest reading John Maeda's 'Laws of Simplicity', regardless of whether you are interested in Design or not.