Lauren Pittenger
I'm a front end web designer
The Art of
Minimalist Design
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
What we'll cover
- What is minimalism
- Brief history
- Who should care
- How to get started
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
Onward!
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
Minimalist design is
a mindset & a style
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
Be mindful of
the elements
we choose to include
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
Simple in design
#WCUS
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Though simple in design,
Not so simple to execute
-
Understand the user
-
Understand project's purpose
-
Understand basic design principles
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
did it come from?
Where
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less is more
Mies van der Rohe
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Rejected abstract expressionism
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architecture
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Fine Art
Yves Klein
Blue Monochrome, 1961
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Sculpture
Donald Judd
Untitled, 1980
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Literature
This Is Just To Say
by William Carlos Williams
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
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interior design
#WCUS
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#WCUS
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Who should care?
#WCUS
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Minimalism is for anyone who wants to be more purposeful
#WCUS
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Designers
Minimalism helps us
create more intuitive websites
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Developers
- Less stuff to maintain
- Less bloat
- Less wasted time
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Marketers
Supports communicating key messages
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Our clients
Clear communication helps drive brands forward
#WCUS
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Our clients' clients
Easier & more peaceful experience
with their product & website
#WCUS
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It will look different
to everyone and
every project
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Where do we start?
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
Ask not
"how should it look?"
but
"what is the goal?"
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
Start a conversation
- What is your main marketing message?
- Who is the primary user or users?
- What feeling are you trying to create?
- Who are your clients and what are they trying to achieve?
- What are your clients’ clients trying to achieve?
- What are you trying to achieve?
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
de-cluttering without strategy can have
adverse side effects
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How to start implementing minimalist design?
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solid understanding of Basic design principles
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White space
1
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White space does not
have to be white
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White space is not
a missed opportunity
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Hermès store
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#WCUS
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#WCUS
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Typography
2
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Font Personalities
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Loose letter spacing
Normal letter spacing
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Bold weight
Normal weight
Tight letter spacing
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor.
Color, contrast
& value
3
#WCUS
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#WCUS
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#WCUS
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#WCUS
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Photos & images
4
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Image by Ashley Schweitzer on minimography.com
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Layout, alignment
& structure
5
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#WCUS
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Key Take-aways
- Minimalism is a style and a mindset
- Requires understanding users' needs
& the project's purpose - Strategically removing non-essential elements helps create more peaceful environment
- Being purposeful helps us reach our goals
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
Resources
#WCUS
@LaurenPittenger
Thanks!
Lauren Pittenger
Designer & developer with LBDesign
Instructor with Women's Coding Collective
@LaurenPittenger
laurenpittenger.com
The Art of Minimalist Design
By Lauren Pittenger
The Art of Minimalist Design
Minimalist web design requires a deep understanding of the needs of the people using your website. Clearing away design clutter and nonessential functionality leaves only the most important elements, creating a peaceful and focused environment for both the end user and the designer. This talk will cover visual design principles for creating a more peaceful user experience.
