Minimalism: Designing Simplicity

The notion of Minimalism is proposed as a theoretical tool supporting a more differentiated understanding of reduction and thus forms a standpoint that allows definition of aspects of simplicity.

Possible uses of the notion of minimalism in the field of human–computer interaction design are examined both from a theoretical and empirical viewpoint, giving a range of results. Minimalism defines a radical and potentially useful perspective for design analysis. The empirical examples show that it has also proven to be a useful tool for generating and modifying concrete design techniques.

Divided into four parts this book traces the development of minimalism, defines the four types of minimalism in interaction design, looks at how to apply it and finishes with some conclusions.

In this age of complexity, simple, powerful systems are an ideal of interaction design. This book introduces minimalism and helps to make sense of reduction, and in doing so unravels some of the mysteries of simplicity. Minimalism becomes an essential tool to help visualise the simple, and to unveil and instantiate patterns for designing simplicity.

Divided into five parts, the first delivers an introduction to the concept of minimalism and overviews the main themes covered in the book; Part two retraces the history of minimalism in art and music illustrating the breadth of concepts underlying works characterized as minimal, and showing the recurrence of these attributes in different disciplines. Four kinds of minimalism for interaction design are defined. The third part connects the concepts developed in the book to current thinking in HCI, examining norms, rules and guidelines. In part four, the simplicity of real designs is examined from a minimal perspective, and tools for different forms of reduction in design are discussed. The final section returns to more theoretical discussions of the notions of minimalism, re-evaluating the product and process threads for the changes brought about for the understanding of minimalism and the relation of aesthetics and minimalism in design. The book concludes with a look at issues and limitations that lie unanswered, and some of their possible resolutions.