Simplicity vs. Minimalism | GDT Week 1 - Post 1

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Since I decided to navigate in the graphic design world, I’ve been hearing two words a lot: simplicity and minimalism, and for a while, I thought they meant the same. Recently I read some articles that made me realize how these two concepts are focused on different things. First, I'll tell you what they mean in a literal way.

According to the Merriam-Webster:

• Simplicity is the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded.
• Minimalism is a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.

And according to Wikipedia:

• Simple living refers to practices that promote simplicity in one’s lifestyle.

Did you notice how I added another concept to the list? Well, simple living can also relate to the previous two concepts. Simplicity and minimalism can be used in different aspects of someone’s life (in their home, job, personal relationships, etc.).

You can be simple but not necessarily minimalistic and neither of these concepts equals boring. Simplicity’s goal is to make things less complex, and minimalism’s goal is to take what is essential. Less is more, says a famous proverb.

Here are some featured differences between simplicity and minimalism:

• Minimalism is seen as a process, simplicity, on the other hand, is a state of being.
• Simplicity sits in the feeling side of the brain while minimalism operates in the rational thinking part. This means that you can apply minimalism to something physical (possessions, schedules, and commitments). Simplicity takes an emotional turn, in reducing the mental clutter.
• Minimalism equals doing more with less, simplicity equals making things easy.

If we talk about applying simplicity and minimalism to our lifestyle, simple living is about being content with any extra stuff that clutter our lives. Simplicity helps reduce complexity to live peacefully. Minimalism would be the action of physically reducing the extra things that clutter our lives.

If we talk about applying simplicity and minimalism to our job, let’s say you’re a designer, a minimalist design is about prioritizing the essential detail, and removing the excess from the space. It’s about highlighting the beauty of the shape of the design. A simple design has more features than a minimalistic design and is still easy to understand.

 

Well, now that these two concepts have been clarified, now that we know they can relate but are not the same thing, what concept do you feel suits you better?

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Sources of information:

🔍 https://uxdesign.cc/simple-or-minimal-design-it-doesnt-matter-while-its-elegant-a5fd174b24ad#:~:text=Complexity%20and%20simplicity%20are%20concerned,excess%20detail%20from%20the%20space.

🔍 https://theminimalistvegan.com/minimalism-and-simplicity/#:~:text=Minimalism%20is%20about%20reducing%20the,more%20margin%20in%20your%20life.

🔍 https://antimaximalist.com/simple-living-vs-minimalism/