Minimalism is an art form that has been around since the 1960s and has become much more widely recognized by industries, artists and architects in modern times. It’s meant for aesthetic purposes to be more appealing to the public, but is it beneficial or does it strip the company of its key points of recognition?
A clear example of logo minimalism in companies would be the internet browser, Firefox. Between 2004 and 2017, their logo had very minor changes to it. The changes were minute with slight discoloration and removing small details however, in 2019 Firefox changed the icon to a basic gradient in the blocked-out shape of a fox, leaving their maximalist logo behind. This was the first time communities started to recognize the change in the corporate world around them.
Another instance of minimalism in our everyday lives is the art pieces. It’s classified as an extreme form of abstract art. While other forms of abstract art use complex shapes and along with an array of colors, minimalist art is a form that uses little coloration and shapes with little to no artistic value. Art is specific to humans, however, minimalist art has made it hard to find those characteristics. Art isn’t simply a design on a canvas; there is a feel behind it, but Minimalisum’s clean aesthetic removes the emotion or beauty it could have held.
Modern architecture is an extension of minimalism in many ways. New buildings are made with a simple and almost beige atmosphere around them. Many older buildings have intricate designs and work that was put into the building. However, with buildings now they are carbon-cut copies of each other that builds a dull look in any residency or downtown. There was a liveliness to old buildings that they still hold even to this day. Modern architecture doesn’t quite seem to hold a candle to the architecture of the past.
Minimalism is found in many places, but it’s not all bad. A minimalistic style creates a less crowded and calm atmosphere in many homes. It can bring a simple and less complicated feel in contrast to life’s chaos. Using it in decorations for rooms and places that are meant to hold a cozy or home feel such as hotels, Airbnb, and personal living spaces is perfect for this aesthetic. This is where minimalism fits best in our society, instead of shoving the art style into many aspects and calling it modern to look for more acceptance.
