Form Follows Function
March 22, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Form follows function is an architecture principle.
Essentially, the FFF principle says that the intended function, purpose, or goal of a building dictates the building’s shape.
It also applies to written communications, especially web sites. Documents have shape, too.
Memoranda, letters, annual reports, and even web sites follow a format depending on our intended function, purpose, or goal.
Are we trying to persuade? Are we providing information? Are we clarifying a misunderstanding?
Identifying the function is the key to deciding the form.
The recent change of Facebook’s format provides a cautionary tale of consequences for not incorporating FFF into communications.
Facebook’s function is simple – give users an easy-to-use format where they can add and read Status Updates, explore other features, and enjoy themselves.
Facebook’s new format frustrates, stifles, and confuses Facebook’s users.
Groups are forming to petition Facebook and return the old format. By all accounts, the old format worked smoothly.
Indeed, it served the function.
The new Facebook format triggered as much controversy for Facebook users as New Coke did in 1985 for soda drinkers.
The new Facebook format forces the user to work harder to navigate the site instead of making site navigation easy to the point of being intuitive.
The new Facebook format does not follow the web site’s function.
When form does not follow function, the consequences can be antagonizing, angering, and even repelling the reader or web site user.
david@davidkrell.com
Form follows function is an architecture principle.
Essentially, the FFF principle says that the intended function, purpose, or goal of a building dictates the building’s shape.
It also applies to written communications, especially web sites. Documents have shape, too.
Memoranda, letters, annual reports, and even web sites follow a format depending on our intended function, purpose, or goal.
Are we trying to persuade? Are we providing information? Are we clarifying a misunderstanding?
Identifying the function is the key to deciding the form.
The recent change of Facebook’s format provides a cautionary tale of consequences for not incorporating FFF into communications.
Facebook’s function is simple – give users an easy-to-use format where they can add and read Status Updates, explore other features, and enjoy themselves.
Facebook’s new format frustrates, stifles, and confuses Facebook’s users.
Groups are forming to petition Facebook and return the old format. By all accounts, the old format worked smoothly.
Indeed, it served the function.
The new Facebook format triggered as much controversy for Facebook users as New Coke did in 1985 for soda drinkers.
The new Facebook format forces the user to work harder to navigate the site instead of making site navigation easy to the point of being intuitive.
The new Facebook format does not follow the web site’s function.
When form does not follow function, the consequences can be antagonizing, angering, and even repelling the reader or web site user.