Art Deco vs Minimalism

アール・デコ / ミニマリズム

Art Deco comes from Historical Styles and Minimalism from Functionalism. They are reached for with different intent, which is the fastest way to tell them apart.

Art Deco

Art Deco — クライスラー・ビルの鷲のガーゴイル 1930 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0Art Deco — 1925年パリ万国装飾美術博覧会のポスター — Wikimedia Commons / Public domainArt Deco — Antoine Bourdelle による1925年装飾美術博のポスター — Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

Stages urban luxury with repeating geometry and a metallic sheen.

Minimalism

Minimalism — Agnes Martin 作品, SFMOMA 展示 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0Minimalism — Agnes Martin 作品群, SFMOMA 展示 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0Minimalism — Dan Flavin《Untitled (to Don Judd, Colorist) 1–5》1987, Tate Modern — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Removes elements to maximize the meaning and tension of what remains.

Art DecoMinimalism
Era1920s–1930s1960s–
FamilyHistorical StylesFunctionalism
KindStyleStyle
CuesSymmetry / Radiating lines / Stepped motifs / Gold and blackVast white space / Few elements / Quiet color / Precise spacing
Best used forGiving an event a sense of occasion · Producing instant classic luxuryFocusing attention on a single value · Letting quality speak quietly
TypeTall, narrow geometric display typeA light sans-serif or a well-cut serif
CompositionCentered, symmetrical compositionOne message, one focal point, wide margins
MaterialBlack, gold, ivory; repeated hairlinesNearly achromatic; texture in exactly one place
CautionToo much ornament turns theme-park. Let white space carry the dignity.Missing information is not minimal. Decide priorities before you cut.

Put these two together

Historical Styles ／ Functionalism

IndexStyle