Minimalism vs 70’s Retro

ミニマリズム / 70年代レトロ

Minimalism comes from Functionalism and 70’s Retro from Retro. Both are read here as style. They are reached for with different intent, which is the fastest way to tell them apart.

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.

70’s Retro

70’s Retro — 《Zazpiribai》公演ポスター（バスク）1972 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.070’s Retro — ハーブ・ルバリン《Avant Garde Gothic》のロゴタイプ — Wikimedia Commons / Public domain70’s Retro — ハーブ・ルバリンによるロゴタイプ4点 — Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

Builds cheerful nostalgia from thick round shapes and earthy warm color.

Minimalism70’s Retro
Era1960s–1970s
FamilyFunctionalismRetro
KindStyleStyle
CuesVast white space / Few elements / Quiet color / Precise spacingFat curves / Wave forms / Orange and brown / Repeating stripes
Best used forFocusing attention on a single value · Letting quality speak quietlyWarming up food, music and community · A slightly loose, easy joyfulness
TypeA light sans-serif or a well-cut serifRound, heavy display type
CompositionOne message, one focal point, wide marginsCurvy rhythms and oversized headlines
MaterialNearly achromatic; texture in exactly one placeOrange, ochre, dark brown; a touch of print misregistration
CautionMissing information is not minimal. Decide priorities before you cut.Making everything retro becomes a costume. Keep body text and controls contemporary.

Put these two together

Functionalism ／ Retro

IndexStyle