[iQuercus]

Eli Schiff, whilst pointing out potentially valid concerns about minimalist designs, is also himself with his articles a symptom of a much larger Soviet-style centralist attitude that seems to pervade the modern design community.

Right now, the Soviet Design System (SDS) has decreed that we must all have minimalist everything. Eventually folks like Eli will get us back to something with more flair and embellishment. And then that will be the correct way, and everyone must do that.

But the question is, when will we start designing for context and people rather than some arbitrary, centrally decided (by the fewest people) paradigm of correct design?

[dgant]

Part of the challenge is that design isn't viewed in isolation. A design leaves an impression on the viewer partly based on how it contrasts with other designs.

A minimalist logo in a sea of embellished logos says "We are smarter and easier to use". A minimalist logo in a sea of minimalist logos says "We are safe and normal."

So following a design trend can be one of the tools you use to design for an audience.

[Silhouette]

But the question is, when will we start designing for context and people rather than some arbitrary, centrally decided (by the fewest people) paradigm of correct design?

Some of us never stopped. Fortunately for all of us, just because someone with a blog or some business with a popular product decides they like a certain style, we don't have to design our blogs and our products the same way. As with any kind of hype, the best solution I know to the current promotion of minimalist styles is to see whether there is anything useful in there and if not then to ignore that hype and let the results speak for themselves.