MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
I don't believe in trends, I just observe them. My work is more about lifestyle, a reflection of my own and my team’s sensitivities in a never-ending search for timelessness.
– Francesc Rifé
What's happening?
Are you a Gmail user? What do you make of the recent design update? Although I hop onto the platform from time to time to adjust some settings, it's not really a user-interface I enjoy using. There are a handful of email clients out there that arguably offer a better UX and a simpler UI. Personally, I'm still an advocate of using Mail for Mac and paring it down massively to what I need. The result might be extreme to some, and ideal for others. You can read about my setup here.
PSA: I'll be taking a break next week (Gran Canaria), so there won't be any features published until 5 September. It has probably been about 6+ years since there has been a sustained break on minimalissimo.com, so I'm declaring it's about time to press pause. Now let's have a look at some recent features.
– Carl
Features
SHADES OF TOKUJIN YOSHIOKA
Active in the fields of design, architecture, and contemporary art, Tokujin Yoshioka is highly acclaimed globally with works themed in the nature and worked under Shiro Kuramata and Issey Miyake before establishing his own studio in 2000.
TENSE LOUNGE CHAIR
When developing the TENSE Lounge Chair, the design duo Panter&Tourron pursued two central goals: on the one hand, the chair was to fit a neo-nomadic lifestyle (simple, tool-free assembly, and disassembly, flat pack, and easy transport). On the other, it was to be manufactured as sustainably as possible (economical use of materials and resources, recyclability of components, low weight, and transport volume). The result is a minimalist, sophisticatedly designed armchair without a base that promises a high level of seating comfort.
RT TABLE
The RT01 Table, designed by Johan Viladrich, is an exploration of the formal archetype of a table, it consists of a blue glass plate leaning onto a brushed aluminium tube and maintained by a stainless steel connection system. This assemblage of base and surface usually invisible is here being given a central role, highlighting the unsettling nature of the table.
ALTER I KEYBOARD
The Electronic Materials Office Altar I—an ultra-low profile, wireless mechanical keyboard forged in premium, sustainable materials. Altar I focuses on one idea: less, but better. A precision machined aluminium monobody with slim, tactile, mechanical switches.
NAOTO FUKASAWA ATELIER
With an undeniably illustrious product and industrial design career and one of the world’s leading design thinkers today, Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa's next focus is on creating a fully-integrated atmosphere as complete lifestyle, starting with his own recently-complete atelier in Tokyo.
SPANISH APPLIED DESIGN
Every country produces exceptional designers while some countries offer particular approaches to design with renowned craftsmanship and special materials. As part of our applied design series, we look at a selection of works of Spanish designers spanning a range of topics within the spectrum of minimalism. (thanks, David)
Supply spotlight
minimal 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:
nōto: an enhanced notebook experience for creative minds inspired by Japanese minimalism
designing for the last earth: a plea by fellow designer Angelos Arnis to transform design and business
archivve: an archive of the beautifully minimal illustrations by Visualize Value
design the next iPhone: demonstrate your design skills or let your imagination run wild
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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