Thoughts on design, minimalism, climbing and a few other topics. Only limited to latest 20 posts. Full archive is available on the site.
Never did I imagine myself getting into running, especially as a man approaching middle-age. It always seemed a bit boring to me. Cycling is what I thought I‘d inevitably venture into, especially because I love watching that sport. But here I am, roped in by a couple of friends, fully embracing the running trend. Well, kind of. I have zero aspirations to run a marathon, or even a half for that…
At the risk of sounding melodramatic, it feels like the end of an era. Or at least the end of the familiar formula that indie businesses relied on to build, launch, and grow over the past decade. Something has quietly changed. It’s probably been happening for a couple of years, to be fair. But recently it feels impossible to ignore. The reasons are pretty obvious. What’s less obvious is what comes…
You may or may not know that I’m the cofounder of minimalism.com . The project is in a transitional state. Its previous form, Minimalism Life®, has now sunset , and I’ve been thinking carefully about where the site could go next. There are several possible directions, but none of them feel right to me at the moment. And, as with many successful things in life, timing accounts for a lot. To be…
I've worked with Photoshop for an age. Back in 2022, I created a small business called 099 SPLY , offering a focused collection of minimal PSD mockups and web tools for creatives. Although I still appreciate the demand for PSDs, especially among seasoned designers, I wanted to explore a different way of generating mockups: directly in the browser, without subscriptions, licences, or heavyweight…
It’s said that nothing lasts forever, nor should it. There’s something strangely liberating yet melancholic about something ending, whether it be a job, a project, a relationship, a piece of tech, a journey, or even a tv series. Hell, even we as humans don’t last forever, despite Bryan Johnson’s respectable best efforts. Today, however, I would like to announce the end of a project I’ve had a…
It recently dawned on me that, as a digital designer, I had yet to make a macOS or iOS app. So I wanted to give the former a try while also experimenting with a coding agent to bring it to life. While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of AI tools and announcements, I think it’s enough to explore a couple properly and find your own way through the noise. Keeping up with the…
A blogger challenge. Thanks, Manu . And being British, there’s simply no chance I can pass up the opportunity to complain about things I dislike. Hate is a strong word, though. My feelings aren’t that strong. When I was thinking about this topic, there’s probably hundreds of mildly annoying things that I’ll find myself complaining about day-to-day. Actually, Buzzfeed has a pretty good list that…
Another blogger challenge, but this time one I’m initiating. I previously wrote about a list of silly things I hate . So to balance this, I’ve decided to write a more positive list of some random things I like, because it’s good to smile at the world now and again. markdown volunteering honest writing small communities the smell of coffee beans when perseverance pays off experiencing collective…
2026 for me, will aim to be: In brown cardio saunas tennis rituals reading yarning self-care networking self-awareness design friction professionalism better hydration company building home improvements creative conviction climbing breakthroughs voice + video messages design show attendances Out labels snacking audio books bad posture doom scrolling imposter syndrome
For the month of November, I shared a small social experiment with a few friends where our messages, which would ordinarily be text-based, were strictly audio. Why? I think I wanted to deepen the human connection I had with people. And I wanted to test how comfortable I could become sending voice notes, and whether it would meaningfully change how I communicate. The rules were simple: no text…
What gets lost when everything is effortless? For years, good digital design has been framed as the removal of friction. Faster flows. Fewer steps. Instant feedback. Smooth, seamless interactions that disappear into the background. If something slows a user down, it’s treated as a flaw to be eliminated. And in many cases, that instinct is right. Unnecessary friction is frustrating. It wastes time.…
This topic has been doing the rounds on the indie web recently, initially prompted by David and subsequently by Manu . But instead of using the original template of questions, as many others have done, I’ve decided to create my own pointless series of questions and answers to give you a random glimpse into my life as I currently know it. [1] What’s the last thing you fixed? Probably my…
Not so long ago, Apple built its reputation on a simple promise: it just works. Today, it feels very different. Their latest OS releases, complete with the highly accessible molten glass UI for both Mac and iPhone, were shipped with unforgivable UI and UX bugs. With thousands of engineers, designers, and testers on a single product, you have to wonder — how are these not seen? What are all those…
I’ve always appreciated the word blog . It feels honest and informal; a small, functional word from the early web. Blogs were, and still are, places to share links, notes, ideas, and to find others doing the same. That spirit of exchange still matters. [ See blogroll.org ] Lately I’ve been thinking about what it means to write on a personal site. Not as performance or publishing schedule, but as a…
Us designers love to talk about tools, processes, and skills. We debate software, trade shortcuts, and show off case studies filled with research frameworks and clever flows. All useful things. But what rarely gets talked about and showcased in portfolios is the one thing that actually makes a designer memorable: taste . Taste gives you vision. It’s the lens through which you decide what matters,…
I’m currently working on a new project for minimalism.com (clue in the title). The work includes: brand direction concept philosophy business model website socials The outline is done. The foundation is built. The potential is huge. I’m looking for the right product person to get involved long term, whether from a marketing or industrial background. 2026 is when it begins. 2027 is when it thrives.…
I think it's been about three years since I last updated my desk setup. But I recently made some changes, which I'd like to share with you. The overall dark vibe of my previous setup has remained, but I've upgraded a few elements. See my 2022 workspace setup if you're curious. The physical desk Unlike my previous desk from L&Z Elements, my new desk was far simpler to source. It's the MITTZON…
This is an evolved thought of my post about my favourite designers ever . Since I opened my creative lab FormFeelingFunction® , I’ve also opened my mind to connecting with more creative people. The reason is simple: to make unexpected objects in both digital and analogue form through pure, unadulterated collaboration. So I’ve decided to create an ever-growing and probably optimistic list — one…
The little creative lab I run with Manu, FormFeelingFunction® , is starting to take shape — albeit slowly. We’ve been mulling over all sorts of concepts. Some might be realised, some probably won’t, and a few definitely will. One that’s just gone live is our most experimental idea yet: a private audio guestbook. Record a private voice note It’s simple. You can leave us an anonymous voice note,…
Once upon a time, the power of a strong social media following could make a career. It still can, of course, but to a much, much lesser extent. I won't bore you with a recycled narrative of the shitty algorithm effect, although relevant in this case. Suffice to say, a follow count is only worth a fraction of what is portrayed—especially today. This is down to visibility in feed (or lack thereof),…
I've been mulling over my presence on social media for a while now. There's only three platforms I actively use, but honestly, it feels like there should only be one — and that one, Are.na , breaks the mould of a typical social media space. You can find me on Instagram , X , and Are.na . My excuses for sticking around on the first two are pretty weak. Instagram is where I have the most personal…
As the year draws to a close with gloomy December days compensated with lots of artificial lighting, it's not surprising that many people take the time to reflect on their recent past — what we've managed to achieve, what we learned, what we failed in, where we went, and what we experienced. Did you take steps forward this year — or even strides? Did you regress? What did you get up to? I'm…
2025 for me, will be: In blogging 3D modelling prototyping experimental design endurance climbing single session training days swimming saving self-care selling investing uniform long hair house + techno sound design Out comparison shyness dishes in sink trends (especially web) animation gossip wokeness alcohol hip-hop mainstream news
Lately, I've been thinking about my inner compass — the one that guides me through work and daily life. I've touched on my design ethos before, but this feels like something more personal. It's a lightweight breakdown of who I am, both as a designer and a human, shaped by the values, mantras, principles, people, and quotes that influence what I create and how I try to live. But consider this…
Sometimes things need to end so we can create something new. Essentially, what's ending is Minimalissimo , and what's beginning is a creative lab I’ve named FFF . I feel like I've done my part in curating beautiful minimalism on the web over the past 12+ years. Now, I’m ready to shift gears — from curating to creating minimalist products of my own. These will be both digital and physical, made in…
In my previous post , I mentioned that Minimalissimo was coming to an end and that I'd be embarking on a new adventure with FormFeelingFunction® . Well, I think it's worth explaining the site's journey, impact, and inevitable sunset. Because it has played a significant role in my life for well over a decade and deserves a few words to bring this story some closure. Back in 2009, the world was…
Ritual, a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or revered objects. When you hear this word, where does your mind take you? For me, I find myself asking, what's the difference between a ritual and routine? Turns out that, in essence, routines are practical, while rituals are meaningful. I have both. Some casual and spontaneous, and others strict and frequent. I do enjoy…
I'm selling minimalism.com and all @minimalism usernames across various web platforms, including Twitter/X, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, and Pinterest. Email me if interested: carl@minimalism.com
We need good taste to make good things, but we must first qualify and understand what good means in the sense of design. Taste is the ability to identify quality. To understand quality we need to look critically at: materials that are fit for purpose, ergonomics that considers audience needs, effective use of affordances, usability, accessibility, harmonic colour choices, aesthetic choices that…
When asking this question, I'm not really thinking too literally. For instance, I'm not asking, "what is a fun piece of tech?" Because the answer to that would be simple: any game, gaming device, or immersive VR experience that's engineered to be fun to use. That's far too simplistic. I'm curious about what gives tech a fun personality without it being a complete waste of time, energy, and…
For the longest time, I’ve shared my work through blog posts or social media, rather than having a typical portfolio. But I’ve decided it’s time to pull together a more cohesive collection of my work, focusing on product design and creative direction. My projects are usually long-term endeavours. Although I'm happy to make time for the occasional freelance project, I tend to focus my attention on…
Although I've effectively stepped away from running Minimalissimo® , it's still a site I adore and visit pretty much daily for a well-curated dose of minimal design. Manu is doing a sterling job in evolving it, which I'm 100% behind. He's looking to create support through a small community around Mimo and as part of that initiative, he's seeking some feedback on a few key questions to help…
099 Supply is a collaborative project that builds tools for creators. We began with a catalogue of photorealistic product mockups made for Photoshop. And we're continuing to grow this collection slowly, but we recognised that we need to diversify. So we're building out a new product range in parallel. Specifically, modular web components for no-code website building platform, Framer . Our launch…
The Minimalism Life® project, now eight years in the making, began as an experiment. Slowly, we've defined our purpose, gained a respectable readership, acquired valuable assets, and developed a timeless design language. The process hasn't been easy; in fact, it's been bloody challenging, especially considering this is a side project. Yet, I sometimes revisit an important reminder of a very…
It's Good Friday. 7AM. I don't particularly care about the significance of today, but it's a bank holiday and I've got the day off work, but instead of having a relaxing morning, I hit the gym for an early session. Energised by the sunrise of a beautiful spring day, I decide to do something a little different. I say to myself that after this workout, I'm going to treat myself to the simple…
Ever thought of having a personal uniform? Not the typical work attire, but a carefully curated capsule wardrobe that reflects a cohesive style. My interest in fashion is limited, yet the concept of capsule wardrobes has fascinated me for years. I've been chipping away at crafting my own personal uniform and it's been a gradual process that's been ongoing for over 5 years. So I'd like to dive a…
Since the relaunch of minimalism.com , where we created a series of technical drawings inspired by some iconic and beautifully designed objects to the homepage modules, I wanted to further explore this line art direction. So I continued my collaboration with Bakir Fazlic to produce additional illustrations for an aesthetic and minimal wallpaper pack designed for smartphones. The pack contains 9…
This is my response to Manu's article for the IndieWeb Carnival on digital relationships . As someone who grew up in the 90s, I spent my formative years and much of my teenage years without a screen. I wasn't even much of a gamer as a kid. I would spend as much time as possible outside. Getting up to all kinds of shenanigans in my local village. I had a positive upbringing by most accounts,…
This week sparked a new chapter, direction, and era for Minimalism Life®, a project I cofounded in 2016. Almost 8 years on from then, with much experimentation, many highs and lows, strategy changes, and a lot of ground work, we announced the relaunch of our website: minimalism.com A special domain for a special project I'll be totally honest, though, for years we didn't really know what to do…
I recently wrote about bandwidth and how I've been struggling to balance my day job as a product designer with several side projects and businesses. Reflecting deeply this year, I've decided to make a few changes, one of which is the difficult decision to step back from Minimalissimo , a project I've passionately run for over 10 years. The reasons are varied, but primarily, it's due to my…
Personalisation sells, but good design satisfies. Don't wait for perfect execution. Ship and iterate. You don't need to fill your time. Creating calendar white space provides a buffer for work and play. Find the intersection of doing what makes you happy, what is smart for you long-term, and what is useful to others. Whatever that is, do it often. Ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are…
I discovered this "app defaults" initiative through Manu , and although many of my defaults are the same, I thought I'd share my setup regardless, adding a few new ones: Type App(s) Mail Client Apple Mail Mail Server Google Workspace Notes iA Writer + Apple Notes To-Do iA Writer Photo Shooting Apple Camera (15 Pro) Photo Management Apple Photos Calendar Apple Calendar Cloud File Storage iCloud RSS…
If you're unfamiliar with Product Hunt , it's a platform used to share and discover new digital products. Its usefulness has probably waned a lot in recent years unless you're prepared to inject an advertising budget, but I still think there's value in sharing projects organically. There's simply nothing to lose. You might recall that in the spring of 2023, I started a company called 099 Supply .…
I try not to pay too much attention to time, but sometimes it's hard to ignore. It passes far too quickly for my liking, but that's also because I'm nearing an age of self-reflection, but let's not go there! I enjoy routine and with that, life can get a little hazy albeit structured. The beginning of a year can look much like the end of one. But I'm making a concerted effort to take stock of how I…
I first came across the philosophy of ikigai when I discovered and read the book by the same name. A book written by Francesc Miralles and Héctor García. It's the Japanese word that signifies 'a reason to live' or 'a reason to get out of bed in the morning'. It's a state of balance that represents the intersection of enjoyment, satisfaction, and contribution. And it's no surprise that knowing your…
I've been designing various things—principally for screens, and to a lesser extent physical products—since 2007. Only now am I writing an ethos—that is, my attitude and approach to design. An ethos is useful to me because it consolidates my design principles and gives you a deeper understanding of my thinking. And my attitude towards design has ebbed and flowed over the years. As it should.…
The concept of slow design is one I've applied for several years. As time passes (quickly) and new technologies land on our desks, the expectation that we need to react at lightning speed to prove to the world we're always in the know of what's trending, is exhausting. Even if you love tech, and I do, you'll feel it sooner or later. We're endlessly bombarded with choices, jargon, reviews, monthly…
I was recently asked what my values are in life. It's a very tough question to answer without throwing out one word answers off the top of your head. And that's pretty meaningless unless you're prepared to elaborate on that word and what it means in relation to your life and experience. And one word that comes to mind when I consider my values is perseverance . It's something that I've come to…
I like making lists. A lot of people do. And this is reflected in the abundance of to-do apps available today. There's a silly amount of them. Designed to augment and organise our lives, they end up being far more complex and clunky than they need to be. The rise of the overwhelming to-do app (web and native) has probably driven a bunch of people back to pen and paper and I don't blame them. It's…
For a long time I considered myself a slow thinker. Meaning, I felt I wasn't particularly good at thinking on the spot and articulating what I wanted to express. Probably one of the reasons why I never do podcasts and why job interviews are met with such trepidation. But I recently came across Derek Sivers post on this very topic and I found it so relatable. He explains: When someone asks me a…