Maximalism

Founded by Ben Mingo, various experimental designers · Art Nouveau, Baroque; adapted 2020s

Philosophy

The Story

Maximalism in digital design is the visual equivalent of a maximalist apartment: every object has a story, every surface has something on it, and the result is overwhelming in the best way. It is the opposite of minimalism's philosophy. Where minimalism says "remove until it breaks," maximalism says "add until it sings." The key word is curation. Uncurated maximalism is chaos. Curated maximalism — where every element has been deliberately placed despite the apparent disorder — is an art form. On the web, it appears in experimental portfolios, music sites, and fashion brands that want to communicate abundance. The risk: it requires extraordinary taste to pull off. The reward: it is unforgettable.

Design Parameters

Best For

Notable Examples