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Beauty Hidden Within Simplicity
An exploration of the essence of minimalist design—and why it’s so important to be simple.
This article was automatically translated from the original Japanese version and may contain mistranslations.
Please refer to the Japanese original for the most accurate wording.
Beauty Hidden Within Simplicity
The word “simple” carries a lot of depth.
The Hard Part About Being Simple
Simply reducing the number of elements isn’t what “simple” really means. True simplicity is about seeing what’s essential and stripping away what’s unnecessary.
Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to remove. — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Three Principles for Design
- Clarify the purpose — always stay aware of what the design is for
- Don’t be afraid of whitespace — whitespace isn’t empty space; it’s breathing room
- Maintain consistency — unified rules give a design its dignity
Japanese Aesthetic Sense
Japan has long held the aesthetic of “wabi-sabi.” The sensibility that finds beauty in imperfection and simplicity also connects with today’s minimalist design.
Let’s not be afraid of being simple—and let’s keep pursuing what’s essential.
