Minimalism in design has been around for some time, and today it seems to be an alternative to the overly busy and cluttered websites, posters, logos and ads. The concept of minimalism is mostly concerned with removing excess materials and strategically placing the remaining elements. The result can be a calming, yet powerful that is able to convey its message quickly. Minimalism can be found in all art forms.
To get the most out of a minimalist design, whether it is for something as small as a logo or as large as a billboard, the elements should be used properly and correctly. Color, layout, white space, typography and graphics all play an important role in a minimalist design.
Color
In minimalist design, color choice and the amount of colors used are strategic and should be kept to a minimum. Black, grey and white are the most powerful colors and allow for a single accent color to have a greater impact.
All colors are acceptable if they are used properly. Colors and its combinations have a large effect on how the design is received by the viewers. However, the colors with the greatest contrast are generally used together. Therefore, most designers choose bold and bright primary colors for minimalist design.
Layout
A minimalist design layout is especially challenging because every element the designer is working on is essential. Content for websites and posters should be laid out in such a way that the viewer can find what they need without much thought. In other words, the page should make sense.
Each element in the design should be properly placed so that it can convey the message quickly without disturbing the overall design and theme.
White Space
Negative space, or white space, serves to give power to the information that it surrounds. The greater the empty space, the more power an object within it gains. White space also serves to structure a group of elements and create balance.
The white color can match any color that it is with. The absence of color visually with the combination of all colors in the light spectrum made it capable to contrast with any other colors available. Any elements or color placed on it can be made more attractive, thus easier for it to deliver the message it is intended.
Graphics
The use of images in minimalism is very intentional. Designers choose graphics for their effectiveness, and a minimalist design use them when the image is more effective than a written message. Graphics should be used strategically, and should be relevant to the topic.
Typography
Typography in minimalism should be just as strategic as any other element. In any design including minimalism, no more than two or three styles of fonts are appropriate. Many designs use one font for headlines, one for body, and one for navigation on websites or for any subheadings or special text. Usually, if more than three styles/types of fonts is used, the design will be cluttered and difficult to understand.
Uses of Minimalist Graphic Design
Media
Ad campaigns, brochures and packaging have all made their part in the minimalist design. However, it is mostly seen in posters and logos. Many designers choose to use streamlined design for almost everything. The reason for this is the effectiveness of conveying a strong message quickly and cleanly. When used correctly, a minimalist design can use each of its elements to send one specific message. The result is usually a design that is not only functional but also attractive to the viewers.
Logo
Minimalism in logos is an important concept, since the purpose of a logo is to be easily remembered and associated with a company. As a result, minimalist logos are often the most popular type of logo design since it keeps the logo simple enough to be memorable. The tricky part of a minimalist logo is to make a design that is easily recognized for the company it represents, while also reflecting its goal in a simple manner.
Website
In the recent times, minimalist website design has become quite a trend. Many great designers have created attractive websites that are not only pleasing to look at, but are also easy to navigate. While minimalist design is not practically possible for every website, those websites that can use it properly should take the advantages.