Simplicity in Creative Design (subtitled talking about art) 05 15 2026

 Scratching on an idea here.

That what is most pleasing to the eye in terms of creative designs or art is often the most simplistic.

Can I give you examples?  Not off hand.

But the concept might be analogous to how the best machines have the fewest moving parts?

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Perhaps the inquiry involves the question, what is a natural shape?  Does, that look like a natural shape.

Or perhaps the question is, does that look like a natural representation?

And does simplicity of design really have to conform to a natural beauty principle?  No, it could be industrial!  And such a work might or might not have subconscious threads of natural design in it.

However, there can be a false simplicity.  For example, someone is asserting something is better and it just doesn't strike you that way initially, subconsciously.  And what this means is that simplicity in creative design is very hard to create.  And indeed, it may be something that can't be intentionally contrived or planned?

Why not?  Because it can never be as good as what God created!  Bang!  There it is!'

You see someone design a car shape.  And perhaps it represents something different to different people?  Depending on what generation and neighborhood you grew up in?'

Do automotive marketing companies ask the question; how can we subconsciously appeal to the pocketbooks of the youngest generation?  Or do they ask themselves how can we subconsciously appeal to the pocketbooks of those with the most disposable income?  How can we eek out that easy money from the ___?

And it was Pablo Picasso who said he wished to paint like a child.  Which brings me to the next question, do children draw more natural shapes?  They are somehow more true representations?  Perhaps they have more love in them?  If indeed there is a good connection between brain and brush?

And perhaps we are talking about a brainwave pattern?  And that is very interesting isn't it.

Ever work for someone incredibly uptight and you wonder if they ever had a working brain wave in their entire life?  That person isn't going to paint like a normal child are they.  And when a person like that looks at a piece of artwork, what do they think?  Do they want to buy it because they have a lot of money and the artist is popular?  Or do they recognize something in the work that resonates with them on a human level?  A projection of self in this world would lead me to believe the former is true.

When you paint with that relaxed brainwave the gestalt of the subject matter is conveyed to the canvas?  And hence the simplicity of design is present?  All of the sharp angles are defeated from occurcance or negated by that working human brainwave?

© 2026 Thomas Paul Murphy