Have you ever wondered how you could simplify your life-or your own designs to make them more clear and effective? In this article, exploráremos what is minimalism, how it is applied in different areas, their main features and how it can influence on the art and graphic design.
This movement focuses on eliminating the unnecessary to reveal what is essential, with roots in the art and applications in many aspects of our life.
Where is minimalism?
Minimalism is present in multiple areas of our daily life and career:
- Art: Represented by works simple and abstract that is used forms and colors are essential.
- Graphic design: Creation of visual messages clear and without unnecessary elements.
- Architecture: Designs that take advantage of the space in an efficient way, with natural materials and clean lines.
- Lifestyle: Includes fashion, decoration and personal organization, prioritizing the functional and essential.
Main features of minimalism
Minimalism is defined by the following characteristics:
- Less is more: looking for the beauty in the simplicity.
- Functionality first: Each item has a clear purpose.
- Color palettes are neutral: Shades of soft and relaxing that create harmony.
- Visual order: Designs which allow reading and navigation easy.
Works and artists featured on the minimalism
Iconic works
Black Square of Kazimir Malevich: A work that symbolizes the abstraction at its purest form.
Untitled by Donald Judd: Sculptures that emphasize the space, and materials.
How to apply minimalism in graphic design and art
Minimalism can elevate the quality of your designs, and artistic works by focusing on what is essential:
- Simple lines and use of white spaces: These techniques create a clean design and neat.
- Delete unnecessary elements: Leaves only that which reinforces the message or the function.
- Typography clear and readable: Use fonts that are simple and hierarchy to guide the reader.
Simple example
Create a poster with a neutral background, a graphic that stands out and a clear title. This combination will cause the message is easy to grasp.
Guide to apply minimalism in your life
If you want to adopt minimalism in your day-to-day, follow these simple steps that will help you to display it in its entirety:
- Make inventory: Review what you have and decide what is really important.
- Involve your partner: it Shares the minimalist philosophy with those who live with you.
- Removes duplicates: Retains only one version of each object is necessary.
- Organizers: Give each object a specific place.
- Shopping with a conscience: Opt for quality over quantity.
- Simplify your digital life: Organized files, deleted emails unnecessary and limits the use of applications.
- Manage your finances: Reduces superfluous expenses and prioritizes experiences that add value.
Colors minimalist: Simplicity calm
The colors minimalist are essential to convey the principles of this movement, because that evoke simplicity, elegance and functionality.
In general, these colors are focused in soft, neutral colours that do not compete among themselves, but they combine so as to highlight what’s truly important. Among the main colors used in minimalism, we find:
- White: Symbol of purity and clarity, the white is one of the cornerstones of minimalism, creating open spaces and light.
- Black: Elegant and timeless, adds contrast and definition, used to outline or highlight essential elements.
- Gray: shades of gray work as intermediaries between the white and the black, offering a balance sophisticated.
- Earth tones: Colors such as beige, light brown and sand provide warmth and a connection with nature.
- Blue and soft greens: These pastel tones add a touch of freshness without breaking the harmony of the design.
In minimalism, the selection of colors is key to keeping a clean composition and transmit serenity, leaving the main elements are the protagonists.
The impact of minimalism: What causes this movement?
Minimalism produces a profound effect both in the artistic sphere as well as in our daily life. Its focus on the essential invites us to reflect on what really matters, generating tangible benefits such as:
- Visual clarity: In the graphic design and art, minimalism eliminates distractions, facilitating the communication of ideas and messages. This is especially useful in advertising, branding, and web design, where to catch the attention quickly is crucial.
- Stress reduction: minimalist Spaces, both physical and digital, and promote a sense of calm to avoid information overload.
- Functional efficiency: By prioritizing the utility on the ornament, minimalism ensures that every item has a purpose, optimizing time and resources.
- Timeless: The simplicity and elegance of the minimalist designs makes them less likely to go out of style, ensuring its relevance over time.
- Emotional connection: the art, minimalism focuses on conveying emotions pure and essential, allowing a deeper connection between the work and its audience.
Discover more about art and graphic design
Minimalism teaches us to appreciate what is essential, both in art and in our everyday life. If you want to learn more about this movement and to explore other related topics, we invite you to visit our category of Art. In addition, if you’re interested in discovering how to apply it to graphic design, check out our section of Questions on Graphic Design.