OUGD501 Study Task 5

Essay Structure 

How is Minimalism in Design Related to Social Hierarchy?

Problem?

Is minimalism in design related to social class. Is minimalist design reserved for the the upper social classes?

Introduction-

This essay seeks to explain minimalist design and its relationship with social hierarchy. The essay will explore various sources from online and physical texts, looking at key points and movements support this question. 

The design worlds’ love for minimalisms aesthetic is clear and with great reason, the style has a great way of cutting out unnecessary noise, it’s clear, stripped back, to the point and when done right is just as beautiful as intricate, complicated pieces of design. But is minimalism a creation of the higher class? Does minimalist design directly correlate with social and economic hierarchy?

Sources-

The idea of minimalism, Cedric VanEenoo, 2011

https://academicjournals.org/journal/JFSA/article-full-text-pdf/3A668BC6040

NA, Ludwig Mies van de Rohe, https://resources.saylor.org/wwwresources/archived/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Ludwig-Mies-van-der-Rohe.pdf (NA, Page 4)

Chayka, K, The Oppressive Gospel of ‘Minimalism’, New York Times Magazine, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/magazine/the-oppressive-gospel-of-minimalism.html (July 26th 2016, Date Accessed 6th March 2019, 11:04am)

Chan, J, A Progressive View On Minimalism, Medium, https://medium.com/simple-not-easy/a-progressive-view-on-minimalism-a656d0508cd2 (May 7th 2018, Date Accessed 26^th March 15:27pm)

Case Studies-

MoMA, De Stijl, https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/29 (NA, Date Accessed 6th March 2019 12:17pm)

Rietveld Schröderhuis Foundation, https://www.rietveldschroderhuis.nl/en (NA, Date Accessed 6th March 12 13:06pm)

Bauhaus 100, Building Theory, https://www.bauhaus100.com/the-bauhaus/training/curriculum/building-theory/ (NA, Date Accessed 1^st April 2019 13:55pm)

Arguments-

The idea of a minimalist lifestyle is exclusive to the social elite, that idea can be transferable to minimalist design

van de Rohe was the forefront of the type of minimalist design with little amount of function or content for high expense only afforded by the upper class

De Stijl movement was epitomy of minimalist design, red and blue chair a prime example of minimalist design, and now overly expensive, out of reach of working class

Schroder house was contradictory to the theory, epitomising De Stijl and minimalism but designed to be entirely functional. Wasn't intended to be an expensive form of functional minimalist design 

The core idea of minimalism contradicts the theory, the idea of minimalism is attainable by anyone, modern minimalist fine art, architecture and sculpture is lucrative expensive and not often attainable. Minimalist graphic design is not always however.