Two Fixes for Clutter (Part 2)

When the design for your whatsis — museum, experience, wall, interactive software — is cluttered, you have two options. Last time we covered Option 1: Reduce.

The second option is not for the faint of heart. But it’s my favorite.

Option 2: Add Even More

I think clutter bothers us because it’s a middle ground, not an extreme. Or as the graphic designer Paula Scher once said, “Less is more, and more is more. It’s the middle that’s not a good place.”

Next time you’re faced with clutter, instead of reducing, try adding.

A wall with too many paintings is crowded. But a wall utterly full of paintings is called salon style.

A panel with a dozen post-it notes written by visitors is sad. But an entire room covered in post-it notes is an art installation.

A display case with too many historical $20 bills in it is tedious. But a glass cube stuffed with countless stacks of $20 bills is unforgettable.

Here’s the thing:
Clutter can be solved in two ways. The expected approach is subtracting until it works.

But the interesting approach is adding until it works.

Warmly,
Jonathan