My friend and colleague Helen Lechner has a saying when someone excitedly comes to her with a grandiose idea to solve a simple problem on our web or mobile sites. It goes something like “I know you want a Ferrari, but maybe for this project you really just need a little red wagon.”

Actually, she’s said this to me more than a few times. I often think of that quote when I myself get excited about something big or grandiose; it reminds me to step back and ask if what our Customers and Partners may need is something more simple and straightforward, like a clear datasheet; a well-written service description; or a clear conceptual diagram. Sometimes you do indeed need a Ferrari to get places. But sometimes a little red wagon is fine — and in fact preferred.

Our design team was recently inspired to make Helen a “fake home page” poster to commemorate her saying.

Enjoy, and here’s hoping that you and your team drive both Ferraris and little red wagons, as appropriate.

Tags: webexperience