Design your way

Minimalism has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the way it can easily be adapted to suit web design and can complement design trends. The methods and goals behind minimalist design can be combined with both visual and functional styles. Examples of visual styles could include the use of blocks of color or large photography.

Although the construction of a minimalist design appears to be simple, the creative process can actually be quite complex. It is not as easy to work with as people may expect. Many web designers find that the easiest way to get started on a minimalist project is to design a more complex site and then apply the minimalist design techniques.

Both Apple and Microsoft have adopted a minimalist design approach which is an indication that this is a something that is likely to remain current for some time if not forever. The visuals have been dramatically altered in Apple’s iOS 7 update and Microsoft’s Windows 8. The effect of this is more pronounced with the use of tablets and smartphones. The reasoning behind these changes is to encourage the user to focus more on the function of the apps or programs rather than the design of the buttons used to access these.

The disadvantage of minimalist design being perceived as a trend is that it means that people will want to follow it but may not understand the best ways to implement it properly. It may be that web designers take the idea too far and it may not be suitable for every type of website.

The complexity and innovation of minimalist designs is not always obvious when taken at face value as the designs can appear to be very basic. However the simplicity of the design is deceptive and it takes a lot of work that almost goes on behind the scenes. A website that uses minimalist design can be more attractive to visitors and therefore have an advantage over websites with a more complex design.

How to do it properly

Visual elements such as photographs or illustrations do not have to be removed entirely when following the principals of minimalist design. Instead they are used alongside white space and flat buttons to create a web page that does not have any 3D embellishments.

Illustrations can appear more striking when used as part of a minimalist design web site compared with more complex designs. This is because they stand out from the simplicity of the rest of the site which can be a real advantage if the designer wants the illustrations to be the focal point of the site.

It becomes increasingly important for images and fonts to stand out on a minimalist design site in order for the message of the site to be immediately obvious to the visitor. If the information is too difficult to find then it can deter visitors from spending much time navigating the page. Highlighting important information can also be achieved through the use of color contrast and balance.

If the images used stand out and the navigation of the site is basic then this is an excellent way to encourage visitors to focus on the images. The use of color contrast and basic geometric shapes can draw the visitor’s attention to the images.

The amount of effort that is put into the small details of the site is what can separate a good site from a great one. For example, mouse over effects can make the website unique and are an innovative feature as long as they don’t interfere with the functionality of the site.

If an image is contrasted alongside typography then this can add to the attractiveness of the site and improve the look of the design.

The design of the site should be consistent across all the pages. This will improve the experience for the user and keeps to the minimalist design principles of simplicity and ease of use.

When choosing which features of minimalist design are to be used for the website, the main purpose of using minimalist design should be at the forefront of the designers mind. This is to use simple features to enhance communication with the visitor to the site and providing a streamlined experience that is aesthetically pleasing.

If minimalist design is to be taken to the extreme all that is needed is simple shapes instead of images and any text should be in black and white. This type of design is only effective when the message that is being conveyed is strong enough that text is all that is required.

Advantages of using minimalist design

Minimalistic designs can be easily navigated and the content is immediately obvious. This is due to the spare design of the site. Visitors will be attracted to a website that allows them to find the information they need quickly as they are not likely to spend more than one minute on a page if they can’t find this information straightaway.

A minimalist website is actually a combination of several design features that work together to create the minimalist effect. Effective design takes into account features such as the layout, the right font and the balance of color, text and images.

The content of a minimalist website needs to be relevant because there are no additional features to add to the message. All the information that is required by the visitor can be found immediately without the need to navigate to further pages.

Using it wrong

Minimalist design is not suitable for every type of website so the designer will need to ensure it is appropriate for the project they are working on.

It is important to understand the true value of minimalist design rather than using it as a quick fix to problems with an existing site. Common mistakes that are made with minimalist design are discussed below.

Self-defeating usability. Minimalist websites should be easy to navigate because there are no other distractions but sometimes the information that visitors is not immediately obvious if there is too little on the page.

Minimal design or minimal interest? The content of the site needs to capture the interest of visitor’s to the site so should not appear boring.

Is the message strong enough? If the message that is being conveyed by the website is quite basic then minimalist design might not the right choice for that site. The message should be strong enough to stand out on it’s own.

Is it possible to take minimalism too far? If the designer uses light colors on a white background then text and other features may be difficult to view. This problem becomes worse if being viewed on a smartphone or tablet.

Conclusion

If minimalist design is being used for a website it should be done so because it complements the message of the site, not just for the sake of following a trend, which is not anyway. Minimalism should be considered a design philosophy as this is a more accurate description of its purpose.

The main disadvantage of considering minimalist design a trend is that the designer may create a badly designed site if they do not fully understand the principles behind it.