Minimalism is a design philosophy that emphasises simplicity and reduces a form to its most essential elements. We can trace the history of minimalistic design back to the early 20th century, and it has evolved since then. In this story, I talk about the evolution of minimalism, from its origins to modern-day practices, and how simplicity inspires design.
The Origins of Minimalism
Minimalism emerged as an art movement in the 1960s, originating from the works of artists such as Donald Judd and Dan Flavin. Minimalism art was a stark contrast to the complex and ornate art forms that dominated the art world. Instead, it focused on stripping art to its essential elements by reducing it to simple geometric shapes and primary colours.
This movement inspired a parallel trend in architecture and architects like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier, who adopted the same principles to create simple, functional, and modernist building designs. This new movement rejected the grandeur and ornamentation of the past and embraced modern materials like glass, steel, and concrete.
Minimalism has since expanded beyond art to encompass a broader cultural and lifestyle philosophy, emphasising simplicity, functionality, and efficiency.
Designing for Functionality
Minimalism excited designers across fields as they realised the benefits of minimalism's simple design principles. As a result, designers began to focus on creating products with only essential features and functions. This led to a reduction in using excess materials.
The minimalistic design then got brushed over to product and graphic design, making the day's products simpler, cleaner, and more functional. The most famous example of this is the Apple product range — a minimalistic design that's become their signature style. In addition, this principle helps in mass production, especially in industries where high volumes of products with minimal variations are required. Finally, the minimalistic design helped make products more efficient to build and use, benefiting both brands and consumers.
Minimalism in Modern Design
Minimalism has endured the test of time and is still very relevant in the modern era — we can witness it in various designs today. Graphic, industrial, and web design have embraced the minimalist approach, proving that minimalist design is more than a passing fad.
Minimalist design can help brands stand out in an increasingly cluttered marketplace. Creating simple, memorable, and easy-to-understand designs highlights the product or service, which is a vast advantage brand can make a strong visual identity that resonates with its target audience.
Conclusion: Keep it simple and make it functional
Minimalism has made its way into all nodes of design, from architecture to product design and graphic design to web design. However, the minimalist approach is not just a design style; it’s a lifestyle that fosters simplicity and encourages us to be more mindful in our daily lives. We can benefit from minimalism’s less-is-more ideology, and it has proved that it is not just a trend but an approach that can stand the test of time.
For readers who want to explore the possibilities of minimalism, consider incorporating this philosophy into your daily lives. Start by reducing any unnecessary clutter in your environment and embrace and enjoy taking pleasure in beautifully designed objects that embody the minimalist principles of simplicity, functionality, and beauty.
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Empowering creatives with global creative leaders spreading design knowledge on — “ Nodes of Design Podcast.”
More Reading Resources:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/a32824185/minimalist-living/
