Thoughts on Preciousness and Simplicity

The term "precious" has some negative connotations, but I've been thinking about it in the context of Japanese design (prompted by surfing this site: http://www.jetro.org/trends/food.php)

You see it in food, design, and other almost ritualistic aspects of culture in Japan. I do think you appreciate things more when there are fewer of them -- the perceived value of small packages and so forth.

The same is true for product design, and products in general: having fewer products in your house, but having them be better ones, is a simple pleasure and almost an art.

Enjoying minimalism is a simple pleasure in this consumerist age-- and simplicity is a worthy pursuit whether you are working on a website, product, or...just life.

However, it's something that ironically takes a lot of work-- and isn't always simple!