---
title: "Write the Docs Podcast episode 33: Simplified user interfaces, with Anton Bollen"
date: 2021-01-19
description: "Video and audio Episode description Samples Resources Video and audio <iframe width="
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/wtd-episode-33-simplified-user-interfaces/index.html
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at https://idratherbewriting.com/llms.txt. Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any page URL.

# Write the Docs Podcast episode 33: Simplified user interfaces, with Anton Bollen

> Write the Docs Podcast episode 33 is available. In this podcast, we chat with Anton Bollen from Techsmith about using simplified user interfaces with screenshots. A simplified user interface reduces the unimportant elements so the user's attention focuses only on what matters.

## Video and audio

[Video: Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/F7l790ziLig)

Here’s an audio-only version:

[Audio](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/writethedocs-podcast/wtdpodcast_episode33_simplified_user_interfaces.mp3)

For the original post, see [WTD Episode 33: Simplified user interfaces, with Anton Bollen](https://podcast.writethedocs.org/2021/01/17/episode-33-simplified-graphics/).

## Episode description

Here’s the description of this episode:

> **WTD Episode 33: Simplified user interfaces, with Anton Bollen**
>
> One of the most challenging and frustrating things about being a tech writer is managing screenshots in your product documentation. How many times have you needed to take complex screenshots of your product and meticulously marked them up with callouts only to be told that a field has changed and you need to do everything again? It’s so frustrating and demoralizing as a writer because it feels like wasted effort. What if there was a way to create screenshots that could withstand the rapid iterations of a product under development while still conveying valuable meaning to your readers. Today we’re joined by Anton Bollen from TechSmith who explains how we can do this using low-detail screenshots, aka simplified user interfaces, that let you focus your users’ attention on just the bits of the interface that matter.

## Samples

Here’s a sample simplified user interface:

![simplified user interface example](https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/idbwmedia.com/images/episode33-suiexample.png)

In this case, the shortcut commands are removed because they aren’t important for the scenario.

Anton says that predictive eyetracking shows that users will focus on these unimportant areas. Removing them strengthens the focus on what matters.

![predictive eyetracking confirms the focus](https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/idbwmedia.com/images/episode33-eyetracking.png)

For more details, see [Snagit Tutorial: How to Simplify Your Screenshots](https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-snagit-simplify.html).

If you want to join a Slack group focused on this topic, see [Simplified Graphics Slack group at simplifiedgraphics.slack.com](https://join.slack.com/t/simplifiedgraphics/shared_invite/zt-854cf16o-WAze1qv~6fjZwTyvnlXFOA). This group is open to anyone who is interested in this discussing this topic, or who wants to share examples or who is looking for inspiration: (Link expires on February 18th 2021. Contact (email address hidden) afterwards for an invite.)

## Resources

Here are more resources to check out:

- [Steve Stegelin Talk at WTD Portland 2018](https://www.writethedocs.org/videos/portland/2018/graphic-content-warning-the-pros-cons-and-alternatives-to-screenshots-steve-stegelin/)
- [Article about Simplified Graphics written by Anton B.](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/simplified-graphics-meet-new-design-style-technical-anton-bollen/)
- Cognitive loads in line drawings vs. photos – [Graphics for Learning: Proven Guidelines for Planning, Designing, and Evaluating Visuals in Training Materials](https://www.amazon.com/Graphics-Learning-Guidelines-Designing-Evaluating/dp/0470547448), by Ruth Clark and Chopeta Lyons