I don’t know if I am a fan of minimalism because I picked out these websites. But I like to appreciate designs that stand out not because they’re loud and proud, but because they’re calm and clear. Silent waters run deep, they say. I like to think restraint is more powerful than the lack of it, especially in design.
Designs of the Week
The contrast used on the unlinked text may be less than ideal for the accessibility conscious, but ample emphasis is given to the keywords for visitors who are just skimming through. No images, just a monochromatic color scheme and a minimalist manipulation of type.
Some bright colors used here, but this design still leans towards the muted look. But the challenge here was to arrange all the site elements to make it look different from your typical blog layout without drawing too close to the formalities of an online newspaper or magazine.
There’s something about the lightness and spaciousness of this design that feels delightful. Though I would want a bit more content on the sidebar, I’m glad the designer went with a 2-column layout since blog designers these days are so intent on cramming so much stuff every which way (either to make money for themselves or please their clients and then make money for themselves).
Social Media Weekly
Design – One Day Poem Pavilion
A dome-shaped structure whose perforations let sunlight through to form poems which vary every hour or so. The combination of science, art, and design in this installation is one of the best things I’ve seen.
Design – “Designing is not a profession but an attitude”
37signals points us to an interesting passage from László Moholy-Nagy’s “Vision in Motion” which describes the responsibility of a designer.
Design – Deadly Sins of Web Design
Warning: this is a slightly sucky page that demonstrates all the annoying things you can do to a website. This is more for ignorant clients and friends who keep on insisting you should “spice things up” with music or some animated GIFs.
Programming – Processing.js
Processing, a visualization programming language, has been ported to JavaScript by John Resig. An amazing feat. In spite of all the criticisms thrown at JavaScript all these years, it continues to attract all these neat projects and features.
Programming – Timelapse CSS
Matthew Buchanan created a script that stripped a webpage of its CSS one property after the other until it was completely bare. He posted a video showing the process reversed, and the JavaScript is available for download.
