As I was learning how to identify the different design solutions used for web, I found the Minimalist style, term that I have heard before in another art context. Minimalism is a form of art that reduces design elements to the basics, leaving only the most fundamental features. This art style became very popular in the 60’s and late 70’s mostly in the category of sculpture and painting. Although minimalism was primarily popular in the United States, it was also followed by European artists, who later continued the trend of the American school. Today, minimalism has been applied towards web design, an art form that depends entirely on the size of its audience; which makes the execution of this approach, a real challenge. For instance, there is a short list of successful samples. However, I noticed that most of them were created in Europe. Consequently, I found http://www.weyhoven.de/ a graphic artist website from Germany, which I believe, becomes a good sample of an effective design solution in a minimalism style.
On this site colors are limited to black and green for text. The content information is minimum and simplified by the use of san-serif typography. The geometric structure of the layout is emphasized by the arrangement of four text blocks framed by windows that display after clicking on the WER/WAS/WEISO/WO WHO/WHAT/WHY/WHERE navigation bar; which I bothered to translate to ease up the adventure. The artist extends its design in the WHAT window to show his portfolio in an interactive slide show. A simple layout that uses math elements (-, +, x.) or computer symbols, if you will, generating a language that he keeps consistently throughout the site. The Minimalism design of this site was not arbitrarily apply instead this representation contributes to the overall style that is also the trade mark of his own art.
With all …
Oskar
