Exploring Minimalism: A Timeless Aesthetic

As I explore the field of aesthetics within design, I have chosen to discuss an aesthetic that I encounter on a everyday basis: minimalism. This aesthetic focuses on simplification in design, emphasizing what appears to be the bare minimum with little to no obstructions, while still being functional. Minimalism is a form of art that resonates with me, as it is crucial for anyone incorporating it into their work—whether in traditional art or product design—to master the concept of “doing more with less.” This means not only achieving a simple design but also revealing more than what is visible on the surface, having it be functional. Ultimately, minimalism transcends mere design philosophy; it evolves into a lifestyle choice when explored deeply, as evidenced by the evolution of many products.

A brief History 

Although evidence of minimalism has existed for many years, the concept began to take shape in design during the early to mid-20th century. Advances in infrastructure during World War II and its impact on the economy allowed for market expansion, contrasting sharply with the previous scarcity of goods. With the rise of consumerism following the transition to post-war production, an era of maximalism emerged alongside the increasing demand for goods. In the 1960s, artists began to favor simpler shapes and lines, moving away from the excess of layers that characterized Abstract Expressionism—a style that formed from the post war era, that utilized many colors and abstract shapes to express raw emotion without realistic figures.

Image [1]: Clyfford Still – PH-129, 1949

The minimalist form was not confined to traditional art; it later emerged in other fields such as product design, architectural design, and eventually lifestyle choices.

 

Key Aspects

As for the key aspect that encapsulates minimalism, it was developed in opposition to the abstract notation of traditional art. Minimalism tends to present materials chosen for the piece—whether it be a building, device, or clothing—in their true form, using only the material itself rather than adding an additional logo or signature. This approach aligns closely with literalism. Minimalist art presents itself for what it is, rather than conveying some hidden meaning; at least, the piece on its own wouldn’t have a message to convey. There is an aspect of repetition that accompanies this aesthetic, with little variation between each iteration. Often, there is a change in color scheme, but these changes tend to be limited and often dull in appearance, leaning towards a more monochromatic or neutral palette. This allows the color not to overpower the piece. An emphasis on simple shapes is highlighted as an expression of the materials being used. Lastly, there are hard borders between color areas when there is a change, with no shading or smooth transitions within the composition.

Key Players

Some of the key figures who headed the minimalist movement during its initial phase include individuals like Donald Judd, an American artist associated with minimalism who studied philosophy after his time in the Korean War. He was known for his sculptures that incorporated a sense of clarity, emphasizing the object’s presence without relying on compositional techniques. Instead, he adopted a more direct approach, using aluminum and other metals to ensure that the structure of the object was of primary importance, while leaving behind the more traditional, hand-crafted touch that one might expect when thinking about art.

Image [2]: Donald Judd – Untitled, 1968

In the front of architecture, Tadao Ando, a self-taught Japanese architect, is renowned for his minimalist style. He often uses simple materials such as concrete, focusing less on the outward appearance of the structure and more on the inward feeling it can evoke. His designs emphasize characteristics of negative space and the spatial aspects of rooms. Ando frequently employs natural lighting, but not through conventional means like windows. Instead, he opts for large openings in sections of the structure, which are made of straight slits or simple circular cutouts within the walls and or the ceiling. This approach draws attention to the connection between the internal part of a building and the external world. The following are examples where these techniques happened to be incorporated. 

Image [3]: Tadao Ando – The Azuma House, 1976

Image [4]: Tadao Ando – The Oval at the Chichu Art Museum Naoshima, 1995

Lifestyle Impact

The concept of minimalism has bled into the modern age in more than just large expressive pieces that are meant to capture the eye upon inspection. Nowadays, many products, particularly within the technology sector, have implemented a minimalist approach to product design. This is especially apparent when examining how design iterations have changed as smartphones have evolved. Products like Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Pixel device exemplify minimalist design, implementing designs that are not too drastic from each other. They opted to step away from complex geometries, such as curved glass screens, and instead favor squared-off frames, using ovals and circles to house the camera modules, and lean towards the cameras to be in line with one another. The color schemes are often neutral, dull in color options, and easy on the eyes, all of which contribute to a premium and aesthetic appearance of the devices.

Image [5]: Julian Chokkattu – Google Pixel Lineup, 2024

Not only does this design aspect of using more muted colors stick to the tools and accessories that we use on a daily basis, but it also extends to the way many choose to express themselves, particularly in the form of clothing. Recent brands such as Uniqlo, Everlane, and Goodfellow feature simple designs, often using soft or dull colors that are not outstanding, creating a basic silhouette. While these brands are relatively affordable, they aim to provide quality materials, encouraging consumers to invest in items that may last a while. However, this does not completely address the issue of fast fashion that plagues the market when trying to go after the now trendy minimalist style. 

Image [6]: UNIQLO – 3D Knit Sweater

Minimalism in fashion can be seen not only as an aesthetic but also as a concept that has evolved into a lifestyle. When individuals integrate this concept into their daily lives, it transcends mere visual appeal or the material aspects of clothing. Instead, it focuses on owning fewer but higher-quality items that align with one’s purpose and values. This mindset challenges the norms of the fashion industry, which often prioritizes producing inexpensive, aesthetically simple pieces rather than focusing on the versatility of the items. However, it is possible to adopt the aesthetic of minimalism without fully embracing its underlying message: making the most of the few possessions one has. Conversely, some may adopt the minimalist lifestyle focusing on owning fewer, purposeful items without necessarily adhering to its aesthetic aspects. Ultimately, minimalism exists on a spectrum, making one reconsider what they are to prioritize in regards to those fields.

Sources: 

[1] IdeelArt. (2016, November 23). Abstract expressionist artists you need to know: Ideelart. IdeelArt.com. https://www.ideelart.com/magazine/abstract-expressionist-artists  

[2] Judd, D. (2018). Untitled. https://www.artic.edu. 2018 Judd Foundation/. Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://www.artic.edu/artworks/220158/untitled.  

[3] [4] Campbell, T. (2024, May 24). Master of light: Tadao Ando. Artland Magazine. https://magazine.artland.com/master-of-light-tadao-ando/#:~:text=Architectural%20Style,treats%20his%20work%20with%20reverence.&text=Primarily%20interested%20in%20using%20concrete,embeddedness%20with%20the%20natural%20world  

[5] Chokkattu , J., & So, A. (2024, August 13). Everything Google announced at its “made by Google” Pixel Hardware Event. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/made-by-google-pixel-9-phones-pixel-watch-3-pixel-buds-pro-2 

[6] 3D Knit Sweater: UNIQLO US. UNIQLO. (n.d.). https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E475296-000/00?colorDisplayCode=30&sizeDisplayCode=003  

Ochmanek, A. (2017). Donald Judd | Moma. MoMA. https://www.moma.org/artists/2948  

Minimalism in art: Definition, key characteristics and prominent artists. dans le gris. (2022, December 7). https://danslegris.com/blogs/journal/minimalism-the-minimalist-art-movement?srsltid=AfmBOoqEwQhQc_8qyMbhHDZVFRA49ajzzNQ0NaVjtLn9Wrqp8J1Gbpp6  

Tate. (n.d.). Minimalism. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/minimalism 

Ryan. (2020, July 16). A brief history of minimalism: How the Minimalist movement happened. Minimalism. https://minimalism.co/articles/history-of-minimalism 

ERIKSEN, L. & (2023, July 28). The history and concept of minimalism. LARSEN & ERIKSEN. https://larseneriksen.com/blogs/chronicle/the-history-and-concept-of-minimalism#:~:text=Yet%2C%20it%27s%20widely%20agreed%20that,Expressionism%20and%20its%20excess%20layers