Embracing single purpose design in the world of overloaded features
Sunday · June 2, 2024
I stumbled upon Dmitry Novikov’s latest app after months of teasers on Twitter and downloaded it right away. When I opened it, there was just a camera frame and a click button. My mind buzzed: Where's the focus? Filters? Video? But nope—just click and shoot.
I was confused, so I dived into the comments section and found many others asking for features. Dmitry’s cheeky replies? “It’s called zero cam for a reason”, “Sorry, no options ;)” and “It’s like a point-and-shoot camera.”
This made me think—it’s bold, but why not?. By removing all the fluff, one can focus on the basic principles of photography rather than getting distracted by different lenses, filters, or editing options.
Realisation: How our daily software-use shapes our expectations. We started with basic products serving one purpose: clocks for keeping time, phones for communication, and bicycles for commuting. Now, many items try to do too much, turning into complex, multi-functional tools.
Dmitry's app is a reminder that single-purpose design highlights the beauty of simple and timeless design. By removing unnecessary extras, we can focus on the core function and enjoy a more fulfilling experience which matters—a refreshing change in our cluttered world.