Think like The Minimalist

by Chirag Gander, Sahil Vaidya

In a world full of clutter, thought-provoking design can become a key point of differentiation. In Think Like The Minimalist, Chirag Gander and Sahil Vaidya introduce their unique philosophy of Minimalist thinking that has taken the world of creativity by storm. With a simple four-step process and well-defined techniques from the Minimalist toolkit, this book provides actionable insights that marketers, brand managers, and design leaders can leverage to produce inventive ideas. This is an essential read for students, practitioners, and leaders who are eager to succeed in the world of creativity.

184 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Vibhor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read if you want to know more about the minimalist technique used in design. The minimalist is a startup founded by two IITians and there is a high likelihood that you have seen at least 1 or more of their viral minimalistic designs on the internet. In this book they break down the method behind their art and leave the audience with the tools they can use to create something similar. The book is a collection of many such pieces of art designed by them using the techniques they have mentioned.

If you are not a graphic designer or someone who is directly working in the creative industry, it’s just a short quick book that will make you go ‘aha’ when you are revealed the idea behind the design. Don’t expect to learn the technique unless you actually practice it and implement the techniques mentioned here. Towards the end they have listed a few case studies of how they have helped a few brands using the minimalistic design style. Overall, it reminded me of another book that has a collection of all the Amul ads over the years. Quick and easy read but don’t expect to actually be able to make these after you are done reading. Only serious designers who are in the creative industry might be able to do so with a lot of practice.

[Shuvopriyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should rate a 4, but rating a 3. I am biased because I am jealous of all creative folks who think iterations etc can get you there. Creativity I do feel is very inherent.

It's a nice book. Read it.

It's fun, interesting. You can finish it in a day.

The book takes a progressive view on what it takes to design this way. It's about iteration, feedback and testing.

Along the way, there are tons of great cases, evidences and technical knowledge that you pick up about creating such designs. Fun to read about all of that.

But again, I do feel creativity is something so inherent, that maybe you can't really learn it after a point. That's a very parochial view, but I am really shit at this. So, lol.

[Ashiish V Patil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, short, easy read. Talented boys who've started quite a unique format in India which you would have stumbled upon at one point or the other. It existed in the form of minimalist posters, art forever like the swirl of the gandhi specs communicating gandhi, peace always but they've branded it.

Nicely broken down the formats and their techniques. The usage of 3rd person to refer to each other feels a bit weird at times. And would have liked more depth, more detail on the process, examples, client brief unpacking. But irrespective it's a good read. And the principles are great to apply. Less IS more!

[Mitesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

We hired the team way back in 2017 for our first website design, and since then, I have known the founders. So was happy to check out the book when I saw it during random window shopping at Crossword. It's a simple book where Chirag and Sahil speak about their inspiration, process and various examples that went viral. It was a quick read; but fun to go scratch the brains a bit and wonder at the creativity that the team has demonstrated thus far. In the age of AI, I'm sure someone could train a model to eventually generate outputs by following the process they shared. 5* for their creativity, 3* for the book - its a good one time read.

[Divya Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does anyone give off their trade secrets? The tips and tricks of their business and their popularity?
Nobody, except the founders of the creative solution company The Minimalist.
The book is a very crisp, clear and detailed account of their perception and thought behind what they do and why they do. It can be called a manual of minimalism designing and also the Bible for creative designers.

Loved it!

[Niyomi Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first marketing related book and what a read!!!
The book is about a startup by 2 IITians who started a marketing company call the Minimalist, their journey so far and most importantly the principles adopted by them.

The marketing examples shown by them are absolutely a delight to look at.

Much recommended book for young entrepreneurs, design and marketing geeks and alike.

[Bala Krishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book on Design/marketing. The book sticks to its core and delivers some techniques on minimalist thinking. The examples are aptly positioned and gives a vivid experience while reading. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. A quick read.

[Bala Krishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book on Design/marketing. The book sticks to its core and delivers some techniques on minimalist thinking. The examples are aptly positioned and gives a vivid experience while reading. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. A quick read.

[Ujan Dutta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The designs detailed in this book are commendable, intuitive and minimal in nature. However, this book doesn't have much value addition apart from talking about their unique design elements, one can rather afford to spend sometime on their social media page to get the similar details.

[Kapil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Offers some good perspective

[Akshaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is ok.. Probably was looking fwd to a minimalist way fo living

[Sunvi Aggarwal · Rating 2 out of 5]

wanted to love this book but didn't! my takeaway was dropping the ego while following a process other than that it's just another marketing book that doesn't make a dent :(

[Ronak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book showing minimalist designs in practice

[Sahil Vaidya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously I'm biased

[Srithi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book. Must read

[Anubhav Singhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple and easy read. Well written for a variety of audiences. I have always been a fan of minimalist design, and it was fun to read the work that goes behind it.