The Art of
Minimalist Design

#WCUS

@LaurenPittenger

What we'll cover

  • What is minimalism
  • Brief history
  • Who should care
  • How to get started

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Onward!

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Minimalist design is
a mindset & a style

#WCUS

@LaurenPittenger

Be mindful of
the elements 
we choose to include

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Simple in design

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Though simple in design,

Not so simple to execute

  1. Understand the user

  2. Understand project's purpose

  3. Understand basic design principles

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@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

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Who should care?

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Minimalism is for anyone who wants to be more purposeful

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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

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Our clients' clients

Easier & more peaceful experience 
with their product & website

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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?"

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@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?

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@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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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

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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

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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.

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