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Home ›› The Comic Guide to the Simplicity Cycle

The Comic Guide to the Simplicity Cycle

by Dan Ward
1 min read
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Author and UX consultant Dan Ward shares an illustrated interpretation of his book, “The Simplicity Cycle.”

Author and UX consultant Dan Ward shares an illustrated interpretation of his book, “The Simplicity Cycle.”

Janet’s story illustrates some common design patterns and pitfalls. To learn more about other design patterns and principles, as well as some tools and techniques you can use on your projects, check out The Simplicity Cycle, available wherever books are sold.

post authorDan Ward

Dan Ward
Dan Ward is the author of F.I.R.E.: How Fast, Inexpensive, Restrained and Elegant Methods Ignite Innovation (HarperBusiness, 2014) and The Simplicity Cycle: A Field Guide To Making Things Better Without Making Them Worse (HarperBusiness, 2015). Prior to launching Dan Ward Consulting, he served for more than 20 years as an acquisition officer in the US Air Force, where he specialized in leading high-speed, low-cost technology development programs and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. For more information please visit thedanward.com and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter

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