It seems to appear everywhere… design critiques, designer portfolios, marketing campaigns, stakeholder feedback…

“This looks very clean.”

But what does that mean, clean? If you think hard about it, it’s not very descriptive. What are we supposed to understand from that? The interface is shiny and sparkly? It’s free of dirt and clutter? Everything is packaged into tidy little boxes?

If we’re honest with ourselves, the word “clean” doesn’t provide much clarity. When we use this term to critique a design, we might believe we’re expressing approval, but we’re leaving a lot to interpretation. It’s like saying, “I like it, but I can’t quite pinpoint why.” This ambiguity can be confusing and unhelpful, especially when the aim is to provide constructive feedback or to understand what makes a design truly effective.

The Roots of “Clean” in Design Critiques

To understand why “clean” became a ubiquitous term in design discussions, we can look at the evolution of design principles. Experienced designers have long adhered to certain foundational principles: emphasis, balance and alignment, contrast, repetition, proportion, movement, and white space. These principles are the building blocks of effective design, but they’re often taken for granted by those well-versed in the field.

The term “clean” likely emerged as a way to encapsulate these principles, creating a convenient shorthand for evaluating design. Consider brands like Apple, known for their sleek, minimalist, and cool designs. When someone refers to a design as “clean,” they might be alluding to how it effectively employs these fundamental design principles, even if they don’t explicitly state it.

Unpacking What “Clean” Implies

Let’s delve deeper into what people might mean when they describe something as “clean” in design:

• Effective Use of White Space: White space is crucial in any interface because it allows elements to breathe, enhances readability, and guides the user’s attention. When a design uses white space skillfully, it creates a more seamless user experience, and this might be why people use the term “clean” to describe it.
• Legible Typography and Clear Hierarchy: Typography plays a central role in design. When someone says something looks clean, they could also be referring to how the text is presented. A clean design utilizes legible fonts and establishes a clear hierarchy, ensuring that content is easily digestible.
• Visual Hierarchy and Grid Systems: A “clean” design often demonstrates a clear visual hierarchy, guiding the user’s eyes to the most important elements. Additionally, it may employ grid systems to ensure consistent alignment and organization of content.
• Consistency in Design: Consistency is another critical aspect of what people might mean when they use the term “clean.” A design should maintain consistency throughout, from colors and fonts to button styles and spacing.

In summary, a design is referred to as “clean” when it’s clear and doesn’t force the user to exert unnecessary effort to understand it. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with describing a design as clean, it’s far more beneficial to provide specific feedback to a designer. Yes, a design might appear “clean” on the surface, but this doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement in one or more of these critical areas.

“Good” Design: What Does It Mean?

The term “clean” is essentially a substitute for “good.” But what is “good” design, and why is it good? To offer a valuable critique, one must comprehend what makes a design effective and how it aligns with the project’s goals and the needs of its users.

To explore this further, you can read an insightful article on giving and receiving great design feedback: How to Give and Receive Great Design Feedback.