Minimalism: it’s like taking a long swig of refreshing water after a sweaty spin session. Minimalism has us feeling good in 2018, cutting out unnecessary clutter and clearing out the junk in our basements. The public has caught onto the trend, but what about brands? As strategic visual content is an essential element for digital success, we see brands approaching their content through all sort of different angles. Our POV? Sometimes less is more.
What is Minimalism?
Minimalism is a mindset, design concept, and art movement; an all-in-one “lifestyle” approach that only explores the essentials and is the perfect fusion of simplicity and authenticity. Take it from Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, AKA “The Minimalists”:
“Minimalists don’t focus on having less, less, less; rather, we focus on making room for more: more time, more passion, more experiences, more growth, more contribution, more contentment. More freedom. Clearing the clutter from life’s path helps us make that room.”
Minimalism is taking over in 2018 and it’s important for brands to notice. Interested in applying this concept to your developing brand? Follow our tips below.
1. Reach into your Art Box…
The beauty of minimalism is that the viewer is not burdened with an overly-complicated message. With minimalistic advertising, the message is clear and concise. Minimal text, color, and often-times monochromatic design make up these commonly clever images. KISS (Keep it simple stupid) is the key to minimalist success, where the artist eliminates all unnecessary information and uncovers meaning.
Takeaway: Think about minimalism as it applies to collateral: packaging, menus, website layouts, brochures, print and digital ads, etc. These materials should focus on uncluttered imagery, recognizable iconography, and direct copy.
2. Think of social media as your virtual art gallery
Let’s face it. Social media has become a digital gallery right down to the curated pictures and clever captions … the only piece missing is the free wine and cheese. Specifically, on Instagram, users strategically design their feeds to be minimalistic, using a precise color palate, filter, and perspective. The appeal of these aesthetically-pleasing accounts goes beyond the fact that they are nice to look at – they also show discipline, artistry, and a strong sense of identity.
Takeaway: Pick a distinct “theme” on your social media channels, and create a collection of images that display a recognizable brand image, without distracting add-ons.
3. Establish minimalism as a state of mind
Minimalism is a lifestyle and adopting it in all aspects can contribute to the overall “health” of your brand. Think about the value you want to add to your business and cut down on the products and applications that don’t help you achieve it. This type of minimalism helps to rid your brand of excess in order to focus on what’s really important –identity, customer satisfaction, and growth.
Takeaway: Everything about the way your brand runs and presents itself should be simple, intentional, and focused. Simplify the user experience, choose social platforms that align with the vision of your brand, and focus on growing customer relationships by engaging in meaningful conversation.
To us, it seems that the fad of minimalism is here to stay – and rightfully so. As marketers, it should always be our goal to simplify messaging and user experiences. To apply this thinking, remind yourself to “Always question if ‘more’ is really the answer. Sometimes, ‘enough’ is better.”