The Origins & Advantages of Minimalism

Minimalism is a philosophy that advocates a simpler way of life, wherein the subject in question is deconstructed and reduced to its bare essentials. Minimalism as a concept is rooted in art, design, music and architecture. Over time, it has evolved into a lifestyle design principle. The purpose of a minimalistic lifestyle is to eliminate feelings of dissatisfaction in our lives that arise from consumerism. Minimalism, when practised, can help one achieve clarity of mind and attain freedom from never-ending materialistic pursuits.

Perhaps the earliest examples of minimalism can be found in the works of Kazimir Malevich. The pioneer of the Suprematist art movement remarks, "Under Suprematism I understand the primacy of pure feeling in creative art. To the Suprematist, the visual phenomena of the objective world are, in themselves, meaningless; the significant thing is feeling, as such, quite apart from the environment in which it is called forth."

Throughout the 20th century, mass production and advertising manipulated the consumer market. Sugar-coated advertisements could sell anything, and hence the manufacturers were indifferent towards user experience and product design. Minimalism in design was a response to consumerism. Industrial designers who practiced minimalism preached a 'less is more' philosophy, went against the norm and reduced the features of a product. Dieter Rams, designer for Braun, was the first person to combine the power button and the volume control knob in their 1960 SK2 radio.

A good consumer is one who encourages good products. A minimalist's views on products are far more critical than an average person in the sense that a minimalist is always asking two important questions that the average person is not. Will it significantly affect my life? How does it make me feel? Most minimalists also develop a taste for aesthetic design given its origins from art and design. Hence, they promote companies that produce essential products and companies that value user experience. A great example of this is Braun.

The world would definitely be a better place if everyone embraced a minimalistic lifestyle. People would be happier having let go of consumerism. Companies would get better, with an emphasis on manufacturing essential and aesthetic-to-use products. The act of purchasing would be more deliberate and structured, more would be recycled and lesser waste would be produced. For now, it is important to realize that not everyone can readily adopt a minimalistic lifestyle as it means going against the consumerist society. It is up to the people who are discontent with the status quo to choose better lifestyles and lead by example.

The roots of minimalism can be traced back to ancient Eastern philosophies like Zen Buddhism and Taoism, which emphasized simplicity, harmony, and the appreciation of the essential. The term "minimalism" itself is derived from the Latin word "minimus," meaning "smallest" or "least." Early minimalist thinkers and artists, such as Kazimir Malevich and the Bauhaus movement, sought to strip away unnecessary elements and focus on the fundamental essence of their work. This philosophy has since been adopted in various fields, including business, where minimalism has become a powerful tool for streamlining operations, enhancing user experience, and promoting sustainability.