Minimalist

Minimalist is a term used as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes a style or approach that emphasizes simplicity, clarity, and reduction, stripping a subject to its essential features. A minimalist design generally relies on clean lines, limited color palettes, and orderly composition. As a noun, a minimalist is a person who adheres to minimalist principles in art, design, or lifestyle.

Origins and scope

Minimalism as an art movement emerged in the United States in the 1960s, developing from abstract tendencies and a desire to foreground form and material over personal expression. In painting and sculpture, artists such as Donald Judd, Dan Flavin, Carl Andre, Frank Stella, and Agnes Martin produced works that favored objective presentation, geometric form, and industrial materials. The approach is often linked with the saying “less is more,” reflecting a preference for restraint over elaboration. Minimalism has influenced architecture, graphic design, and later digital media, shaping ideas about space, perception, and objecthood.

Music

Minimalist music began in the 1960s and is associated with composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Terry Riley, and La Monte Young. It emphasizes repetition, gradual change, simple motifs, and processes over programmatic or expressive storytelling. Techniques include phase shifting and slowly evolving textures, inviting attentive listening to process and time.

Lifestyle and design

Beyond the arts, minimalism has grown into a lifestyle and design philosophy that prioritizes essential possessions, functional spaces, and intentional living. It often features restrained color schemes, uncluttered interiors, and an emphasis on quality and utility over quantity. Critics note that it can seem austere or exclusive, while supporters view it as practical and environmentally conscious.