Minimal design
Shanghai, 24th March 2010
Posting my blog early today, as I have some heavy travelling ahead over the next few days. Putting myself to the task to post a blog everyday means I need to plan ahead because with my meeting and travel schedule I may not be close to an internet connection when I need to. As I am flying off later today I better get it posted now…
Last night I met with a client for dinner and during our conversations the issue of good design came up. The client (architecturally trained) stated that to become a good designer you need to go through a process he called basic “minimal” design. During his training as architect he had gone through an exercise to design a space as small, basic and minimalistic as possible. He said that if you are able to design to absolute minimal standards (in his case in terms of dimensions, comfort, etc) only then would you be able to understand what it takes to do a good design. I thought about it and must say it does make a lot of sense. How many designers (me included!) over-design our lighting and when you ask them whether it is too bright the standard reply is”…oh don’t worry we have a dimming control system.”
In a way the tough new energy requirements (LEED, etc) are forcing us to revisit our lighting design strategies continuously, very much towards this basic minimal design approach. It is often said that the best designs are the simplest ones. However it takes a lot of knowledge and understanding with a lot of “sweat” to finally arrive at a simple design.
The KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid!) Principle very much applies to lighting…
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