Is there such thing as too much? An argument for Maximalism in fashion and design.

If you ask any of my friends, they would describe my taste and general aesthetic as tacky, gaudy, too much. I’ve toned it down now that I’m a professional adult, but there’s still a part of me that is very much a maximalist.

What is maximalism? In the arts, maximalism, a reaction against minimalism, is an aesthetic of excess and redundancy. The philosophy can be summarized as "more is more". To me, maximalism means FUN. You can see this across all categories. Home design, clothing, jewelry, even website design.

So let’s take it to the MAX.

Luxury, opulence, rich. This example from client oomph home is spectacular. The intricate walls contrast the bright chairs and vase, creating a maximalists’ paradise. The pop of gold in the table seems to ground the whole room. Some people would consider this type of design a little “extra”, but gaudy doesn’t exist when the design is this good.

Maximalism doesn’t have to mean gluttony or waste. Embracing maximalism is embracing the joy in everyday life. Want to learn more about maximalism for the home? Check out this article form Porch.com More Is More: How to Embrace Maximalism at Home.

Patterns at Play

The below example from Cinq Á Sept mixes an oversize military coat with a feminine jumpsuit. This Fall you should forget that whole thing about less being more. When it comes to patches on your jacket more is more. 

Fun. Fun. Fun.

DRP client Eight3Five is a toy store with the motto “Adults can be silly too”, so we knew their website had to be extra fun. Right off the bat they were open to more colors, more animation, more chunky fonts. Their mega menu alone has nine categories, all with dropdowns. The question, similar to dressing with patterns or designing a room, how do we take maximalism and elevate it? Our solution was to stick to a maximum of two fonts, complementary colors, and grounding everything with a black footer and navigation. See the results for yourself.