What Chesterton's Fence Can Teach Us

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Published: 15 December 2025

I work in a long-established organization (160 years old) with an intricate series of acquisitions, mergers, and history in our client-facing and back-end systems.  We sometimes get new designers who want to blow away all existing designs and features, to start from a clean slate. While it can be very satisfying to march forward with no boundaries or restrictions, we have to honor the past and remember everything in place was put in place for a reason.

Chesterton’s Fence is a principle that reminds us to look before we leap. To understand before we act. It’s a cautionary reminder to understand why something is the way it is before meddling in change. The principle comes from a parable by G.K. Chesterton.

There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.”

In its most concise version, Chesterton’s Fence states the following:

“Do not remove a fence until you know why it was put up in the first place.”

The lesson of Chesterton’s Fence is what already exists likely serves purposes that are not immediately obvious.

Fences don’t appear by accident. They are built by people who planned them and had a reason to believe they would benefit someone. Before we take an ax to a fence, we must first understand the reason behind its existence.

The original reason might not have been a good one, and even if it was, things might have changed, but we need to be aware of it. Otherwise, we risk unleashing unintended consequences that spread like ripples on a pond, causing damage for years.

As simple as Chesterton’s Fence is as a principle, it teaches us an important lesson. Chesterton challenged the common belief that previous generations were foolish. If we fail to respect their judgment and understand their reasoning, we risk creating new, unexpected problems. People rarely do things without a reason, and just because we don’t understand something doesn’t mean it’s pointless.

The point of Chesterton’s fence is not to hold on to the past, but to ensure we understand it before moving forward. We shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss things that seem pointless without first understanding their purpose.

In the end, Chesterton’s Fence is a metaphor for the hard-earned wisdom of the ages. A reminder to understand something before you change it, to respect the past, even if you want to change the future. You don’t need to be a slave to tradition, but you should approach what already exists with humility and curiosity.

Crafting Seamless Experiences

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Published: 15 February 2025

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, users are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information every second. To cut through the noise, simplicity in UX design is no longer just a trend; it’s a necessity. A user-friendly, minimalist approach not only enhances usability but also ensures your design resonates with users, reducing cognitive overload and promoting positive engagement.

Simplicity, however, is not just about aesthetics. It’s about creating experiences that feel effortless, intuitive, and enjoyable, even when the user is navigating complex systems. When done right, simplicity leads to faster, smoother interactions, leaving users with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Why Simplicity Matters in UX

1. Improved Usability: A clutter-free interface lets users find what they need without confusion. When elements are minimal yet purposeful, users intuitively know how to engage with them.

2. Reduced Cognitive Load: Users can process information more easily when their attention isn't diverted by unnecessary elements. A simple design guides their focus to what matters most.

3. Enhanced Focus: A clean layout removes distractions, letting users concentrate on the content and tasks at hand—whether it’s reading an article, making a purchase, or booking a flight.

4. Increased Engagement: The joy of using a design that’s both simple and intuitive fosters deeper user satisfaction. A positive experience is more likely to keep them coming back.

5. Faster Loading Times: Simple designs typically require fewer resources, leading to quicker load times. In a world where attention spans are short, faster websites mean happier users.

The Challenges of Simplification

As much as we strive for simplicity, it’s not always easy to achieve. Here are a few common roadblocks:

• Feature Creep: We often fall into the trap of adding features "just in case." While each feature might serve a purpose, they can clutter an interface and confuse users.

• Stakeholder Pressure: Clients or internal teams might push for additional design elements that don’t necessarily align with the user’s needs, resulting in a complicated interface.

• Fear of Empty Space: Many designers worry that white space means a "blank" design, but in reality, it’s the opposite. White space can provide clarity and guide user focus, helping users better process the content.

Tips for Achieving True Simplicity

1. Prioritize Content: Start by identifying the core content and functionality. Everything else is secondary.

2. Embrace White Space: Don’t shy away from empty space. It improves clarity and reduces cognitive load.

3. Limit the Color Palette: Too many colors can overwhelm the senses. Stick to a limited palette that enhances readability and creates visual harmony.

4. Use Simple Typography: Choose fonts that are easy to read and leave enough space between characters to ensure legibility.

5. Simplify Navigation: Users should never have to search for how to move forward. Keep navigation simple and intuitive.

6. Minimize Visual Noise: Avoid unnecessary graphics or animations that distract the user from the task at hand.

7. Focus on Functionality: Every element should serve a clear, purposeful function. If something doesn’t contribute to the experience, it has to go.

8. Iterate Based on Feedback: Regular testing and feedback ensure that the design is continuously improving, keeping simplicity at its core.

Conclusion: Less is More

Simplicity in UX design isn’t about stripping away creativity; it’s about removing the barriers between users and their goals. The most effective designs are those that seem effortless, guiding users naturally toward their destination with as few steps as possible. By embracing simplicity, we not only create better designs, but we foster positive, meaningful experiences that keep users engaged and satisfied. After all, the art of simplicity is not about what you add to a design—but what you choose to leave out.

Storytelling is key!

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Published: 14 November 2024

Problem-solving in design is less about the screens, and more about the relationship of the person using your solution to what they consider a successful outcome.

Early in my career, I designed screens by leveraging my background in debate.  I would take a series of observations, outline a plan and then describe projected benefits.  It was very efficient and structured, and had it's justifications built in.  The problem was, as in a debate, there are always two sides, and having the design advocate for one solution based on cherry-picked observations is missing the point.  We are not our users, and need to fall in love with the problem, not the solution.

More recently, my problem solving has more to do with storytelling.  I need to understand the characters, their background, their motivations, what is holding them back and what they dream of.  Not every character is the same, but every character is the hero of their own journey, and our role as designers is that of the mentor, guiding them through their experience to achieve their goals.

Finding that journey, and understanding I am not at the center of that journey, is critical.  Once you really understand the journey, laying out screens to support it is nearly secondary.

The Hero's Journey

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Published: 14 April 2024

When I was in college, one of my best friends, Kevin, was an English Lit major.  I often asked him what he expected to do with a degree like that and his answer was simply, "Tell stories."

He did eventually publish two books (I have copies of each on my bookshelf), but held many other jobs before that happened.

No matter if he was working as a call center representative, marketing copywriter, or account manager, he was still writing.  It was only recently that I saw how his job and mine are similar.  Being a storyteller requires understanding his audience, structuring the presentation of knowledge and delivering a desirable experience.  He was analyzing and writing "The Hero's Journey" while I analyze the Client Journey.

The Hero’s Journey is a common story structure for modeling both plot points and character development. A protagonist embarks on an adventure into the unknown. They learn lessons, overcome adversity, defeat evil, and return home transformed.  Think of all of your favorite stories and you can see how the structure is used.  Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Matrix, Spider-Man, The Lion King, Lord of the Rings - they all follow common themes.

Likewise, the Client (or Customer) Journey follows similar themes, regardless of your industry.  The points can be expanded and detailed filled in, but you will nearly always see overarching stage of the client experience.

• Awareness occurs when the client first hears about your market offering and becomes interested.  Much of this research is done through brokers or word of mouth, but our web and marketing efforts are a critical part of the client experience.  

• Consideration allows us to deepen our relationship with the client through an experience that feels like a conversation.  We have to create a compelling story for our clients, lay out the benefits and overcome resistance, and provide calls to action all while letting our clients get to know us, our values and principles.

• Acquisition is when the client commits to taking action. This step can include purchase, options, configuration and installation.  We have to ensure the client understands what they've purchased and reinforce the wisdom of that decision.

• Service, in my industry, is delivering on the promise for the duration of the contract.  Providing status updates, ability to submit claims or administer the policy are all important day-to-day activities and must be handled properly to encourage renewal.  During service is also a good time to describe additional features or services for increasing customer entanglement.

• Finally, Loyalty happens when the service contract is complete, or the client is back in the market. A lot of retention and loyalty comes down to your customer’s experience, and it is much less expensive/more lucrative to keep a current customer than to try to find new ones.

In client experience, we have to find ways to really understand what our clients' needs and concerns are.  We map the client journey to identify what key moments are working, which ones are causing pain and which ones could be even better, leading to more client satisfaction.  By anticipating and overcoming objections, and making the administration of the tool as smooth as possible, we can keep the client happy and engaged for years to come.  And that gives us time to tell more stories.