Definitions of elegance note two aspects of the word, appearance and structure. One is refined beauty, the other a refined solution. Together they encapsulate the primary design objective of practical works.
“Elegance is beauty that shows unusual effectiveness and simplicity. It is frequently used as a standard of tastefulness, particularly in the areas of visual design, decoration, science, and the aesthetics of mathematics. Elegant things often exhibit refined grace and suggest maturity, and in the case of mathematical problem solving, a deep understanding into the subject matter.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elegance)
As freedom of expression has exploded in both forms and outlets, the aesthetic spectrum has expanded. There are many new fascinating and wonderful works to enjoy, and many that bore, disturb and even disgust. With ubiquitous instant access to publish and consume content, it’s as if a race was kicked off with a booming “anything goes!”
If we unplug for a moment though and think about it, there is common purpose in human expression. Centuries of art and science prove that universal principles do exist. There is truth and beauty that lasts. And there are many, many things that don’t go at all, evidenced by a short life.
Elegance is a principle that is universally valued, and universally accessible to everyone, in any profession. Any undertaking has an object, the physical output which is sold to a customer or to an employer as the fruit of labor. But the result is more than that.
An artist’s objective is not just to complete and sell a work, it’s to express his unique inner self and give beauty to others. An engineer is not only building a machine, but one that performs a useful function reliably. The desired end result is not the product itself but a delighted consumer. It is this refinement of purpose, to be beautiful, useful and simple that is captured in the word elegance.
A formula or macro can be elegant by accomplishing its assigned task concisely and intuitively. Since they are mostly invisible, there is no aesthetic aspect to their elegance. This internal elegance is about how the data are structured and manipulated to produce a robust and transparent result in the simplest way. Those who know what to look for can see the skill and care applied. For those who can’t see or appreciate the internal elegance, it just works.
External elegance is the aesthetic aspect of the visual and interactive design. It is the art that sells the science, the moment of truth that captures and engages the user’s precious attention. Failure here negates internal elegance, if the user cannot follow enough to engage. A spreadsheet as a whole assembles the internal components, adding visual elements and qualities to achieve an elegant end product.
Transparency is inherent in elegance. A structure that is easy to read and understand must also be simple and effective. In addition, elegance addresses aesthetics with a clean visual presentation and intuitive user interface. Complementing minimalism is tasteful use of layout, fonts, colors and locking.
Many users do not appreciate the role of elegance in the office. Too often we succumb to time constraints and throw together spreadsheets that are both quick and dirty. Also too often, this results in miscommunication and rework, or worse. Careful investment in elegance takes more time, but can avoid these pitfalls. Which approach is really more productive?
Even for quick, one-use reports, keeping principles in mind will add value, and with regular use you will learn to apply them efficiently. As with social media, with office documents you never know who is going to end up reading your report. Do a good job, respect your customer and they will want more of what you offer.
The two sides of elegant design are complementary and interdependent, like strength and beauty. To embrace them together as a singular objective is a profound experience of nature itself and a path to personal fulfillment.
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