Tuesday 14 July 2015 Notes from: "Everything that remains: a memoir by the Minimalists" by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus

Introduction: my dissertation is heading towards the theme of white and negative space. Nevertheless, I started this research by taking Minimalism as approach to design and I still believe the subject of Minimalism ties with the one of negative space, the use of less for more. The book mentioned in the title was the first read that brought me to write my dissertation about the topic of Minimalism, so I decided to make a note of the quotes I found most interesting in terms of what is minimalism as a lifestyle and how to become a minimalist (both in life and design).

"What made you decide to become a minimalist?"

"I discovered that material possessions are nothing more than a blindfold, keeping our eyes from seeing the truth in the world around us". 

I found the quote interesting because in a way, it reflects what happens in design: unnecessary items and decorations distract you, keep your eyes and mind away from what's the priority, what's the message and the aim of the design or art piece. 

"No matter how organized we are, we must continue to care for the stuff we organize, sorting and cleaning our meticulously structured belongings. When we get rid of the superabundance of stuff, however, we can room for life's more important aspects [...] focusing on that which is truly important[...]

Same as above, the excessive amount of stuff can be compared to excessive amount of decorations, colours, typefaces, etc. that one can add to a design/art piece. Taking unnecessary things out will lead your mind and the one of the viewer/reader to focus on what's important. 

If the what (the action, the how to) is easy, then, then perhaps we should be much more concerned with the why - the purpose behind decluttering, the why-to. It's true that the why is considerably more difficult to discuss, because unlike the what, which is fairly universal, the nature of the why is highly individual. [...] By simply embracing the what without the why, a person gets nowhere.

When we are building a design, be it a magazine, branding work, a logo etc. we must focus on what adds value. Does it add value? Does it tell me something? Does it need that particular element? The way minimalists approach life and life decisions is the same way minimalist designers and artists approach their work, taking decision regarding value, priority and necessity.