Don MacKinnon: Why Simplicity Beats Cleverness in Software Design

Don MacKinnon: Why Simplicity Beats Cleverness in Software Design

From Maintainable by Robby Russell

December 2, 2025 · 51 min · Episode 215

About this episode

Robby speaks with Don MacKinnon about reducing unnecessary complexity in software design.

In this conversation, Robby speaks with Don MacKinnon, Lead Architect and Engineering Manager at Searchcraft, about reducing unnecessary complexity, choosing the right abstractions, and designing software for the long haul.

People in this episode

Host: Robby Russell

Guest: Don MacKinnon

Topics covered

  • software design
  • simplicity
  • complexity
  • abstractions
  • long-term design

Keywords

  • software design
  • simplicity
  • complexity
  • abstractions
  • engineering management

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Searchcraft

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