Have any of you ever heard of "Maximalism"? I know everyone is familiar with Minimalism in pop culture when it comes to things like fashion, graphic design, and (in some cases anyways) music. Minimalism has been around for decades, but it was the 2010s where Minimalism was seen all over the place. During my random google searching I've come across Maximalism. Basically the opposite of Minimalism's "Less is more" by having a "More is more- Less is Bore" approach. What I find funny is that similar to Miniamlism the idea of Maximalism has been around for decades, but all the big articles I find seem to be recent (2017-2019 and some now in 2020). Even the books I've seen on Maximalist design are all relatively recent.

https://aninteriormag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Resized-Plamen_Petkov_MG_5945_CATTELAN_FFLR-1280x853.jpghttps://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/05d15c506278ba0bbeaa8b2f125e2f00db841cf5/c=0-133-1600-2266/local/-/media/2018/06/13/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636644942230645170-bds180601-04.jpg?width=534&height=712&fit=crophttps://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-RV455_maxima_P_20170127151409.jpg
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Articles

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/lifestyle/fashion/the-decade-that-changed-fashion-as-we-know-it-972936.html - Dec/31/2019
https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/19/12/n15052085/blinds-com-reveals-top-2020-trends-for-design-and-home-improvement - Dec/31/2019
https://wersm.com/shutterstock-reveals-color-trends-2020/ - Dec/4/2019
https://www.dezeen.com/2019/09/18/maximalism-design-more-is-more-book-claire-bingham/ - Sep/18/2019
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/is-this-the-best-overview-of-maximalist-design-weve-seen-to-date - June 2019
https://freshome.com/maximalism-trend/ - Nov/2019
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-maximalist-style-4685629 - Nov/2019
https://nimvo.com/maximalism-in-interior-design/ "4 Months Ago" as the date on the article says

There are WAY more articles, but a simple google search can net you many of them didn't think I needed to post too many.




Again Maximalism isn't a new decade as it popped up now and then in previous decades. But I'm noticing that in the late 10s a lot of buzz on Maximalism has been popping up with some forcasts on it becoming a new trend as a reaction to the 2010s minimalist craze. At the end of the day this could all mean nothing, but I still found it pretty interesting to look into. If the 20s is a backlash to the 10s then perhaps Maximalism may rise due to it, but then again who knows.

I hope it becomes the new craze haha. In the 2010s, lots of things became more boring looking, such as the layouts of websites like YouTube (YT especially in the mid-late '10s), logos of various brands, companies, etc. (such as Nickelodeon, Pepsi etc.)

But minimalism does work well in other aspects. For example, I like the clean look of Windows 10.

I hope it becomes the new craze haha. In the 2010s, lots of things became more boring looking, such as the layouts of websites like YouTube (YT especially in the mid-late '10s), logos of various brands, companies, etc. (such as Nickelodeon, Pepsi etc.)

But minimalism does work well in other aspects. For example, I like the clean look of Windows 10.


Yeah, minimalism has its place and moments where it can be of great use. I just didn't like how in the 10s it was all over the place. Things being less colorful and more simplified.

The place I have come across maximalism (I didn't know that's what it was called) in recent years, is, believe it or not, in holiday decorations. Specifically restaurants around where I live decorated their windows with many, many little things like Christmas figurines of all sorts, little houses etc, almost to the point (or maybe past the point) of clutter. Instead of a few big things like a tree or Santa or something. It's almost like there were too many to look at. But, in a strange way it looked  good and it all hung together somehow. 

The place I have come across maximalism (I didn't know that's what it was called) in recent years, is, believe it or not, in holiday decorations. Specifically restaurants around where I live decorated their windows with many, many little things like Christmas figurines of all sorts, little houses etc, almost to the point (or maybe past the point) of clutter. Instead of a few big things like a tree or Santa or something. It's almost like there were too many to look at. But, in a strange way it looked  good and it all hung together somehow.


Yeah, the odd thing with Maximalism is that despite how cluttered it looks it somehow comes off appealing. Some of the stores I frequently visit all mentioned some interior design changes for the new decade. Can't wait to see how they end up looking.

Too much decor and design going on is overload, especially when it all clashes.

Too much decor and design going on is overload, especially when it all clashes.


I can see issues on the clashing. If Maximalism takes off to the same degree as Minimalism it may be in a slighter lesser form. As in a more than Minimalism but not quite to point where we're past the point of cluttering. A more "controlled" form of Maxiamlism if that makes sense.

Either that or we'll all be living in a high level Miximalist world where everyone has the "more is more" craze in them. I can settle for either truth be told.

Yes this design will grow in popularity and you wanna know why? Two words: Virtual Reality..

In VR, maximalism and skeuomorphism design is used to make things look more realistic. More really is more and things look more realistic when it comes to VR. Which is why I think that design will come back and replace the minimalist design (I hate the minimalist design btw).

Omg I remember predicted the rise and eventual dominance of maximalism back in 2018.


It is in a lot of design circles. Bland flat design à la Windows 10 is has been king for about 8 years now, but good designers get bored of doing the same exact thing over and over again. Emphasis on good because most just follow trends that are a few years old. The mid 2010s was when we first saw any major reaction against flat design (minimalism), with the birth of semi-flat design. In 2017, we saw the emergence of mixed design styles: a contrast between maximalism and minimalism. Vibrant gradients, complex textures, 3D/2D design, and extended typefaces are becoming more popular. Gritty/glitch design is emerging too.

https://i.imgur.com/kNT59I2.png


Maximalistic fashion, graphic design, architecture, industrial design, and even philosophies/lifestyles will probably go mainstream in 2023. Atm the last breath of millennial/hipster culture is enjoying a small renaissance due to Gen Z's obsession with nostalgia, but I think that will fade away and be replaced with something else in a few years. I could be wrong though

I can see issues on the clashing. If Maximalism takes off to the same degree as Minimalism it may be in a slighter lesser form. As in a more than Minimalism but not quite to point where we're past the point of cluttering. A more "controlled" form of Maxiamlism if that makes sense.

Either that or we'll all be living in a high level Miximalist world where everyone has the "more is more" craze in them. I can settle for either truth be told.

What would a controlled form of maximalism look like as an example? Or will hoarding become all the rage? ;D

That last one reminds me of Japanese magazines haha. I always liked that style.

The 1980's were the decade of Maximalism  Nothing exceeds like excess.  ;D

What would a controlled form of maximalism look like as an example? Or will hoarding become all the rage? ;D


I'll laugh if hoarding becomes the new thing. I'm not 100% sure on what a controlled form of maximalism would look like.

I'll do some more Google research to see if I can find examples of this in previous decades. Maximalist design is nearly as old as minimalism, but still largely unexplored it seems. Only now does today's population begin to dig into it.

Maximalism, when controlled, can look very nice. In fact, minimalism only became big with the advent of Art Deco in the 1920s (Of course by today's standards art deco looks anything but minimalist). Before then, all types of graphic design, fonts, and architecture were maximalist in some way or form. Here are a few pictures of baroque architecture from the late 17th and 18th centuries (I love the way older architectural styles looked).

http://www.architectureweek.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/%E7%B3%BB%E5%88%971-1-950x590.jpg

https://cdn.virily.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/aaa.jpg

http://www.wallswithstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/hdhdjsk.jpg

https://www.derautoatlas.de/sehenswuerdigkeiten/residenzschloss-heidecksburg-rudolstadt-18741/eintraege/2055293.jpg

Omg I remember predicted the rise and eventual dominance of maximalism back in 2018.

Maximalistic fashion, graphic design, architecture, industrial design, and even philosophies/lifestyles will probably go mainstream in 2023. Atm the last breath of millennial/hipster culture is enjoying a small renaissance due to Gen Z's obsession with nostalgia, but I think that will fade away and be replaced with something else in a few years. I could be wrong though


You were spot-on in your 2018 post. Designers would get sick of following the minimalism trend and would make designs that have a "more is more" approach to them. Going from washed out desaturated colors to more bright saturated ones, not leaving too much blank spaces in the designs, mixing ideas to the point where it's almost like a collage.

Maximalism, when controlled, can look very nice. In fact, minimalism only became big with the advent of Art Deco in the 1920s (Of course by today's standards art deco looks anything but minimalist). Before then, all types of graphic design, fonts, and architecture were maximalist in some way or form. Here are a few pictures of baroque architecture from the late 17th and 18th centuries (I love the way older architectural styles looked).

http://www.architectureweek.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/%E7%B3%BB%E5%88%971-1-950x590.jpg

https://cdn.virily.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/aaa.jpg

http://www.wallswithstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/hdhdjsk.jpg

https://www.derautoatlas.de/sehenswuerdigkeiten/residenzschloss-heidecksburg-rudolstadt-18741/eintraege/2055293.jpg


Nice examples, Xcaper. Funny that you bring up Art Deco no longer being considered minimalist. I guess by the standards at the time it was minimalist, but nowadays do to how far we've simplified things it's gotten to the point that Art Deco looks less minimalist by comparison.

But anyways I think that when people become more experienced with maximalism we'd probably see a more evolved form of it that looks more controlled. Having wacky designs, but not to the point of clutter.

So is the 2020s design aesthetic gonna be the reaction to minimalism with bombastic and gradient designs becoming popular?  ???

Ehh, I dont like it...  8-P

So is the 2020s design aesthetic gonna be the reaction to minimalism with bombastic and gradient designs becoming popular?  ???


If the 2020s designers end up being having a backlash against 2010s design trends then maybe? It's all up in the air right now.

Anti minimalism doesn't automatically mean well get maximalism. We could easily just get some other design trend. I'm just bringing up Maximalist design since its the only thing I see buzzing up. But we're only 2 days into the 20s. Anything could happen.

Minimalism is probably one of the few things I liked from the 2010s. I'm not sure how maximalism was in the past decade, but I can understand the backlash. Personally, I'd probably dislike it because it would make art too elitist again IMO (you have to be able to deal with what looks like chaos very well, and that takes more hand-eye coordination than drawing simple shapes and arranging them in an organized manner), and I think maximalism looks ugly and archaic to me - it reminds me of old architecture, except just crowded and not as stuffy.

Another thing: if you guys watched the 2020 NYE Times Square Ball Drop, the countdown and the "Happy New Year!" text was VERY minimalist compared to previous countdowns and such.

Maximalism, when controlled, can look very nice.

On the other hand, if you want to see a prime example of uncontrolled maximalism gone awry, go to Memphis and tour Graceland sometime.  :o :o :o   

https://opherworld.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/adsc_0381.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYeJpqrHQSU/UldjAXeUDgI/AAAAAAAAIXo/iKPvcoIF2HI/s1600/JEZ20050b-X2.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Graceland_2010-12-18_Memphis_TN_05.jpg

;D

On the other hand, if you want to see a prime example of uncontrolled maximalism gone awry, go to Memphis and tour Graceland sometime.  :o :o :o   

;D


I think all of that looks awesome, though.  ;D

I think all of that looks awesome, though.  ;D


I do, too, personally.

I think I'm in the minority when I say that I like both minimalism and maximalism.

I think all of that looks awesome, though.  ;D

I do, too, personally.


Oh, it is! I've been there twice.  ;)

This all has to do with VR how do people not see that? These pictures you guys are posting is exactly like what VR environments look like. When I was on AltSpace VR the rooms look similar to that and it makes it look more realistic and cool.

Why dont I like the Maximalism aesthetic? It looks too overwhelming and cluttered, I prefer the simple minimalist look as it looks more modern and organized.

Why dont I like the Maximalism aesthetic? It looks too overwhelming and cluttered, I prefer the simple minimalist look as it looks more modern and organized.


I always liked the mid-50's to mid-60's Mid-Century Modern era myself.

But then the hippies came along and f**ked that all up.  ;D

If we're talking about my own bedroom I prefer minimalism because I suck at designing so it's more simple if everything is clean in my room. If we're talking about other rooms designed by good designers then I prefer maximalism because it looks way better and is more appealing to the eye.

On the other hand, if you want to see a prime example of uncontrolled maximalism gone awry, go to Memphis and tour Graceland sometime.  :o :o :o   


;D


Oof! I actually like how they all look. Especially the 2nd image.

Oof! I actually like how they all look. Especially the 2nd image.


Every American should visit Graceland at least once in their lives.

It is our Mecca.

Actually maximalism reminds me somewhat of Nick Sitcom bedrooms.
https://img2.thejournal.ie/inline/1085410/original/?width=500&version=1085410https://img2.thejournal.ie/inline/1085264/original/?width=630&version=1085264https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d3/df/d7/d3dfd7b023d82e44d46fcff7468048ad.jpg

These are from Clarissa Explains it all, Drake & Josh, and Sam & Cat. I've always wanted a Nickelodeon bedroom.

Why dont I like the Maximalism aesthetic? It looks too overwhelming and cluttered, I prefer the simple minimalist look as it looks more modern and organized.

The definition of and what is "modern" changes over time. Minimalism may be modern now, but something else other than minimalism could be considered modern in the future, while minimalism could be considered dated.

The definition of and what is "modern" changes over time. Minimalism may be modern now, but something else other than minimalism could be considered modern in the future, while minimalism could be considered dated.

minimalism will become dated because of VR.

I started following a maximalist instagram account a few years ago because I was curious, and I definitely agree that this will be the next big thing. I also agree with Slim95's post that says VR will help this along. Absolutely. I just don't think it will really happen until the late 2020s and into the 30s. After all, VR hasn't even been integrated into our lives yet, and it would take a massive technological or cultural shift to get the populace to embrace this amidst the entrenched popularity of minimalism today.

The definition of and what is "modern" changes over time. Minimalism may be modern now, but something else other than minimalism could be considered modern in the future, while minimalism could be considered dated.


minimalism will become dated because of VR.


Yeah, minimalism in itself doesn't automatically mean modern to me as the 2010s isn't the first time minimalism was big. Once a new trend takes over people would see minimalism as tired and dated.

I can see maximalism elements in things like VR. If VR becomes trendy it could certainly effect visual aesthetics seen in pop culture.

I like these photos
https://i2.wp.com/decoredo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Maximalist-Interior-Design-Ideas-No-52.jpg?fit=1080%2C1440&ssl=1

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f0/35/da/f035da1631c7cab7347f89e905f16f6d.jpg

Actually maximalism reminds me somewhat of Nick Sitcom bedrooms.
https://img2.thejournal.ie/inline/1085410/original/?width=500&version=1085410https://img2.thejournal.ie/inline/1085264/original/?width=630&version=1085264https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d3/df/d7/d3dfd7b023d82e44d46fcff7468048ad.jpg

These are from Clarissa Explains it all, Drake & Josh, and Sam & Cat. I've always wanted a Nickelodeon bedroom.

Raven's bedroom:

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/disney/images/f/f3/That%27s_So_Raven_-_New_Room.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170525174932

The 2010's minimalist culture started right after/as a result of the Great Recession. I remember songs like "Thrift Shop" and "Royals" in 2013 really reflecting the culture.

I can forsee the 2020's being a mix of retro 80's and mid 00's, with a lot of flashy neon colors and bling.

I like these photos
https://i2.wp.com/decoredo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Maximalist-Interior-Design-Ideas-No-52.jpg?fit=1080%2C1440&ssl=1

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f0/35/da/f035da1631c7cab7347f89e905f16f6d.jpg


I can see it now. When the 2020s is over and we're in the late 30s/early 40s people will look back on the 20s and talk about how it was common for people to live in TV sitcom style bedrooms.  8)

I feel like Kpop is already ahead of the game in this. I mean look at BTS’s IDOL. I would link it here but the link isn’t working. But yea I consider myself experimental with fashion and I definitely see it starting to move this way from what I’ve seen on Instagram and stuff.

I feel like Kpop is already ahead of the game in this. I mean look at BTS’s IDOL. I would link it here but the link isn’t working. But yea I consider myself experimental with fashion and I definitely see it starting to move this way from what I’ve seen on Instagram and stuff.

It seems that more guys are increasingly trying out Kpop hairstyles and clothing.