A choice of the trendy — Minimalism v/s Maximalism
Both ends of the scale — minimalism and maximalism — have their inherent pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses. And when you take minimalism and maximalism away from interior design, art and architecture and apply it to graphic design, these elements shine as brightly as ever.
Minimalism is about getting rid of excess. Minimalism is about using only the things you really need. This concept is used a lot in art, architecture and interior design. Minimalism stems from the idea that less is more. By only putting the most important things into a space (eg. a room or a canvas), it makes those elements stand out more. That way, those things have the space they need to shine and play a visual role in an environment. Minimalism isn’t about using nothing, it’s about using only what really matters.
Minimalism is more widely known than it’s counterpart maximalism. Minimalism has, in fact, found its way into many areas of modern society. With a focus on clean lines, neutral colours and basic textures, it’s a very versatile way of designing a wide range of things. By using colous, tones and textures that are neutral and can work in nearly any combination, the power of minimalism is unlocked. It’s versatile. Small, subtle changes can be seen easily and it takes less work to do so.
Maximalism is the opposite to minimalism. It’s best described as the reaction to minimalism, where ‘more is more’. Maximalism lets colour, shapes, tone and texture do the talking. It doesn’t have to be loud or overbearing, but maximalism does grab your attention. Just like minimalism, maximalism can be used in art, interior design and architecture. More often than not, maximalism is the side that we usually subconsciously lean toward. Fill every space with something, collect things and display them — it’s borderline hoarding.
If you’ve ever been to the house of someone who has travelled a lot, you may see lots of souvenirs, little things gathered and on display. And this is maximalism in its true essence — it uses ‘things’ to tell a story.
Minimalism is a trend that’s been around for almost a decade now — it’s stuck and lasted. Maximalism naturally complements a loud, in your face brand with an attitude. Both elements, when done well, can be used to cut through the noise of your competitors.
A minimalist room may feature light coloured or naturally toned empty walls, with perhaps only one simple wall hanging or picture. It will include only the basic furniture for that room, which doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or coarse, just plain. A bedroom may have only a simply dressed bed, perhaps one bed side table. An unadorned rug on the floor or no rug at all. Clothes, books, jewellery, shoes, blankets and other clutter are stored in a closed wardrobe or closet. Colour schemes tend to be pale and minimalists opt for organic finishes.
Being minimalist isn’t just about owning less, it’s about shedding the need to focus on material possessions that easily become disposable to make way for the things that have true value and meaning. It is ridding oneself of the urge to acquire and accumulate and instead move away from the modern obsession with consumerism.
A maximalist room will mix bright colour with intricate and daring patterns flawlessly. There will be an abundance of options for seating and lying. Surfaces are plentiful and covered with both decorative and useful objects. Depending on the movement and activities of its inhabitants, a maximalist styled room may look different from one day to the next. If a person wants to read, it can look like a library — paint, an artist’s studio.
Plants feature heavily and one can bring the outdoors inside in a maximalist room. Every inch of space is utilised and there is no set equation or theme. Things don’t have to match. Maximalism is often accidental and can be the antithesis to having a set intention or deliberate design.
A person who has maximalist tendencies values the gradual evolution of a space. They are often collectors and will display groups of objects that are not only beautifully created works of art that are valuable, but also represent some sort of meaning. Perhaps they have been collected from their travels or have been passed down through their family. Maximalists often indulge in the extreme and can transcend the need for order. They experience order within chaos and find it exciting and motivating; even inspiring.
As polarising as they are popular, both minimalist and maximalist approaches to design have their strengths and weaknesses. But when it comes to creating unique, eye-catching visuals, choosing to work at either extreme can have a big impact on your project or brand. Whether you’re a loud and proud designer or prefer an understated, less-is-more approach, minimalism and maximalism are both incredibly sought-after graphic design styles. While they sit on opposite sides of the creative fence, they’ve each had a big impact on design trends over the last year.
It’s a widespread debate as to which works better, Minimalism, or Maximalism when it comes to modern design practices; however, there’s no binary judgment in design. Each has its strengths and limitations to be understood to figure out which approach works best for you.
Essentialism is probably what minimalism was really meant to achieve in the first place: the pursuit of simplicity so that we can arrive at a deeper understanding of what personally makes for a happy and meaningful life. So whether you tend toward minimalism or maximalism, I believe what would be better for us all would be to strive for essentialism- along with responsibility and sustainability — in both life and interior design.We adapt Essentialism to mean what is only essential to us, personally. It isn’t a trend and it isn’t a dictated style, it’s what makes us feel our best, inspires us, and keeps us healthy. No more and no less. And that will be different for everyone.
