Josh Viney, via the IxDA discussion list, has a great explanation for what “it” is all about.

“Elegant product design requires an understanding of people, the business
requirements, and of what is actually possible. It amounts to creating
products that are like professional athletes, products that make the
extremely difficult look easy. It ultimately takes a lot of work and some
serious talent.

Many companies and people don’t know how to build elegance. It brings to
mind technology companies that focus too much on their frameworks or
advertising agencies that focus too much on pixel-perfect design. Neither of
which tends to have much empathy with the user.

Anyway, my goal is to build elegant products. The products that don’t make
people think when they should be doing, make people think when they should
be learning, compel them by relating to them, and simply work.”

Posted by Robert on January 18th, 2007