Modernism

モダニズム / 1920s–1970s / Style / Functionalism

Replaces ornament with reasoned form and aims at universality. The particular answers stand as their own entries, and Bauhaus, Swiss, Minimalism and Streamline Moderne are all separate solutions arrived at from this one stance.

Modernism — Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona Chair and the Barcelona Pavilion — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 · © Cl3phact0
Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona Chair and the Barcelona Pavilion — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · © Cl3phact0
Modernism — Mies van der Rohe, Seagram Building, 1958 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 · © Epicgenius
Mies van der Rohe, Seagram Building, 1958 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · © Epicgenius

At a glance

Visual cues

  • Simplification
  • Clear hierarchy
  • Function first
  • Universal forms

Best used for

  • Building a brand foundation that lasts
  • A vessel that never gets in the content's way

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Detailed guidance and sourcesProduction rules, reference works, comparisons, research and citation formats

Dictionary entry

Type
A sans-serif with few quirks
Composition
Logical hierarchy and generous white space
Material
Black and white with a single accent color
Caution
Blandness is not universality. Hold clear intent in every ratio and interval.
Further study
Paul Rand / Massimo Vignelli

Related entries

Often confused with

More from Functionalism

Continue through styles in the same Functionalism family, prioritised by shared effects.

Browse all Functionalism entries

Cite this entry

The dictionary is meant to be linked to. Take whichever form fits where you are writing.

Link
https://indexstyle.org/styles/modernism
Markdown
[Modernism — IndexStyle](https://indexstyle.org/styles/modernism)
HTML
<a href="https://indexstyle.org/styles/modernism">Modernism — IndexStyle</a>

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