Essentialist Design

Let’s apply essentialism to design.

How might we change by choosing less but better?

Perhaps clarity of purpose draws our line,

to underscore the choices we unfetter,

as the guiding light for our lives to shine,

and our preoccupations to declutter.

Cities might focus on building habitats,

playful living systems without autocrats.

Essentialist Design (26/01/2025) in Design Shifts, a poetic journey through post-normal times.

Inspired by the book: “Essentialism – the disciplined pursuit of less”, by Greg Mckeown (2014).

Figure: Daffara, P. (2025). Essentialist Design [Ink and pencil on trace]. Inspired by Oia, on the Greek island of Thira (Santorini) – a settlement that for me, exudes life through essentialist form and design.

---