Page 22 - CTI80_EN

C

Minimalism is about designers

expressing only the most

essential and necessary

elements of a product or subject

by getting rid of any excessive

and, therefore, unnecessary
De Stijl was also connected to Swiss Design, which
in and of itself has made a tremendous impact on design components and features.
in the 20th century and beyond. Swiss is noted for its
dedication to order and cleanliness (the grid system or
organizing content), readable and legible typefaces, and
copious use of white or negative space to focus attention
on the actual content.

Another related design movement is Scandinavian
design, which you can’t ignore when discussing minimal-
ism. This aesthetic emphasizes minimalist mainstays like:
· Simplicity in design to serve overall function;
· Clean lines and compositions;
· Bright and natural lighting;
· Lighter and more neutral colors;
· Natural flooring (as well as nature themes like
leaves, trees, etc.).

No discussion on minimalism would ever be com-
plete without a reference to Japan’s traditional culture of
Zen philosophy. When we say ‘Zen’ in today’s terms, we
often think meditation and calm; however, in design
terms, Zen is the epitome of minimalism, especially the
way Japanese designers use it.

24 25