There’s a general notion that being superior in the designer game tends to involve sticking to minimalistic designs. But what if I told you that it’s time to stand out from the rest and be daring? You can always start breaking today’s graphic design conventions and switch to exuberant, vibrant designs. Hey, who doesn’t get bored of seeing simplistic and minimalist designs?
If you are a business or a graphic designer who wants to step out of your comfort zone and explore maximalism, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore all about maximalism and how to incorporate it into your projects, presentations, and workspace, including the art of blending minimalist designs. In this article, I’ve covered everything from basics to providing you with easy tips for creating effective maximalist designs today.
What is Maximalism in Graphic Design?
Maximalism is easily associated with expressiveness. For decades, the design industry has trended toward minimalism. But when did “maximalism” get its attention in the design world? Maximalist art is more of a stimulated artwork that uses excessive ornamentation to convey bold and ecstatic messages. This designer style is unique, messy, and unreasonable – something that you don’t get to see these days. The design style can be seen as outside of conventional design, ignoring existing norms, pushing design boundaries, and playing with multiple creative ideas. If you’ve ever come across a bright and loud wall graffiti with layers of anarchic painting, there you have it. Maximalist designs tend to take viewers on an adventurous and extravagant ride that has existed since the days of skeuomorphism and post-modernism.
Chaotic Maximalist Graphic Design
Maximalism has its roots in the postmodern movement, which emerged in the late 20th century as a reaction against the strong principles of modernism. Postmodernism was all about challenging the notion of strict design rules and minimalistic expressions of creation. However, maximalism celebrated diversity and the explosion of visual elements. At its core, disorderly maximalism design is characterized by finding an abundance of overwhelming design elements that may seem out of order and meaningless but hold a unique perspective for the viewers.
Minimalism vs Maximalism: The Best Choice for Your Graphic Design?
While most design projects we see these days tend to favor minimalism, not all artworks need to be calm and quiet. When you want your design to speak louder than the message, maximalism is here to help you express your creativity without struggle.
Minimalism
Minimalism is about simple shapes, clean design, and neutral color palettes. There won’t be much variation in texture or layout, and minimalism is often perceived as peaceful, calm, and basic. When your brand or business is based on fresh energy, you can easily use minimalistic design techniques to communicate lightheartedness and balance to your clients. It helps simplify the audience’s experience with the designer’s work.
Minimalistic designs typically include straight lines, a lot of negative space, and a minimal visual theme. They don’t aim to evoke a strong sense of emotion but rather help you flow with the purpose of the design, avoiding distractions.