MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
This newsletter is supported by aprile, the hanging chair
Objects that contribute the best atmosphere tend to be less immediately noticeable; it may take some time before you appreciate them for their practicality and more subtle, discreet presence. That’s because the balance of how they look and how they perform is correct.
– Jasper Morrison
What's happening?
Things are beginning to take shape for the year ahead. I recently wrote about bandwidth and how I've been struggling to balance my day job as a product designer with several side projects and businesses. Reflecting deeply this year, I've decided to make a few changes, one of which is the difficult decision to step back from Minimalissimo, a project I've passionately run for over 10 years. The reasons are varied, but primarily, it's due to my diminishing motivation.
I feel I've taken Mimo (as I call it) as far as I can, both as a growing business and as a digital gallery of design. Curating the finest examples of minimalist works and shaping revenue streams to sustain the site has been a fulfilling challenge. Mimo is globally recognised as the home of minimalism in design and has attracted a consistent readership since its inception. Mimo is also self-sufficient, covering its costs month after month, year after year, even amid the relentless competition for attention from other publications and social media platforms. However, I've never drawn a salary from it, so when I speak of sustainability, it's with a grain of salt.
To clarify, Mimo isn't going away. Instead, I'm happily passing the daily management of the site and newsletter to my dear friend Manu, starting in January. He's been an integral, though silent, partner for years, making this transition feel natural. I trust he'll maintain the site's smooth operation, sprinkling in some experimentation here and there (he's already warned me). I'm excited to see it evolve! My involvement will be limited, adopting a more hands-off approach. This shift will also see us pausing all social media activities to focus exclusively on the website and newsletter.
As for me, I'll be dedicating more time to 099.supply and minimalism.com in 2024. The latter will be kicking off the new year with an entirely new website, art direction, and purpose. I need some fresh motivation, new challenges, and most importantly some white space to welcome any surprises or opportunities.
So I'm considering this newsletter as my penultimate one. Manu will author this letter from the turn of the year.
– Carl
Features
DOLDAM RESIDENCE
Doldam, a private rental residence in Seorak National Park designed by New York based architects ONE-AFTR, exemplifies architectural harmony with nature. Inspired by the area's renowned fall foliage and boulders, the design captures the park's dynamic environment.
T HOUSE
Nestled in the serene locale of Kajang, Selangor, the T House is a spacious 5,000 square feet bungalow that encapsulates a tranquil retreat. Its design philosophy, a harmonious blend of simplicity and modernity, resonates through the property. The creators at DualSpace Studio meticulously reimagined the structural dynamics, materials, and interplay of light and shadow to accentuate a sense of ritual and inclusiveness within the living spaces.
OBJ-02
The OBJ-02 chair, designed by Manu Bañó, embodies the essence of minimalist design. This low lounge chair, crafted in 2021 as a limited edition of only 10 pieces, is a unique combination of brass and steel. Its design features brass tubes, each meticulously cut in half and independently bent to form the chair's back, seat, and legs.
DIETER RAMS: THE COMPLETE WORKS
Authored by Klaus Klemp, with a foreword from Rams himself, the book stands as a definitive guide to one of the most influential product designers of the twentieth century. Designed by Wang Zhihong, this catalogue raisonné is a deep dive into Rams' six-decade career, showcasing his impact on consumer products and design philosophy.
KEHIKKO CHAIR
The Kehikko chair stands as a testament to the Finnish tradition of simple yet functional design. Created by Simo Lahtinen, the chair is stripped of any unnecessary detail, aligning with the Finnish word 'Kehikko', meaning 'framework'. It is the embodiment of minimalism, yet its form does not compromise on function.
IA NOTEBOOK
As part of their traditional iA Winterfest, the team at iA has released a preview of their upcoming physical product: the iA Notebook. With its watermark guidelines, all-white aesthetics, and impeccable attention to detail, the iA Notebook is a perfect example of minimalism.
Supply spotlight
minimal product design made to own (and made by us):
M–SLM–613: PHONE
A collaborative project between Minimalissimo and Studio Lenzing, SLM 613 is a collection of light and dark smartphone wallpapers and backgrounds specifically designed for both lock and home screens with a minimal design language. If you’re a minimalist and enjoy simple visuals, then you might want to express this in everything—including the wallpaper on your phone.
Where next?
Discovery
other things for you to read, explore, and maybe even admire:
CycleMarks: daily reminders of bookmarks with a cadence
v0: create UI designs in React using AI prompts
grod: a beautifully curated shop of everyday essentials
This monthly edition of the Minimalissimo newsletter was supported by aprile, the hanging chair
inspired by spring days and designed by Matteo Modica, aprile is a simple suspended chair that oozes elegance—a floating seat, shaped after spring petals, swinging gently. designed and handcrafted in Italy with artisanal love.
whether you're looking for visual inspiration or design insights, you can visit our gallery to discover the very best of minimalism in art and design.
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