» Subtractive Design
Subtractive design is the process of removing imperfections and extraneous parts in order to strengthen the core elements. You can think of a design as something you build up, construct and let grow, but it’s pruning away the excess that gives a design a sense of simplicity, elegance, and power.
“Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.” —Albert Einstein
First let’s look at the theory behind this idea to see why designers in many fields often think in terms of negatives (subtracting things) rather than positives (adding things). Then let’s look at several successful subtractive designs so we know what to aim for. Finally, I’ll discuss why subtractive design often breeds controversy.
