Slice of Living 2018

Soft Minimalism
Occupying the space between harmony and emphasis

When designers are looking at ways to harmonise TVs with living spaces, a piece of art can be an inspiration. Artwork and sculptures manage to function as natural inhabitants of the space despite incorporating attention-capturing visual attributes. Blending the elements “harmony” and “emphasis,” two seemingly incongruous characteristics, art fills spaces with unique tones that resonate with comfort and luxury. The “Soft Minimalism” concept centres on uniting the discreet and the noticeable into the look of a TV as an actual object.

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Easy to be around: an important quality for people and TVs

If TVs could find that balance, people would have more configurations to choose from — and that freedom would help weave TVs further into the fabric of everyday life. To make that kind of intimacy a reality, a TV design needs to have warmth. A person who’s too detached and restrained might be difficult to feel comfortable around. The same goes for TVs: while minimalist designs might be vital in helping people immerse themselves in their viewing experiences, there's a risk of making the designs feel a bit cold and inorganic if the minimalist agenda is pushed too hard.

That’s the basic premise behind the themes of “Soft Minimalism,” an approach that uses gentle detailing, engaging materials and textures, and warm hues, to take the chill off a minimalist configuration. The result? A TV that wows when it’s on, eliminating extraneous elements to maximise the power of the visual experience, while residing comfortably in its environment when it’s off, harmonising with the space like a piece of artwork. We live in an age where simplicity and comfort are more important than ever. Emerging from that context, the “Soft Minimalism” concept shapes a new embodiment of what a TV can be.

How new value can grow out of antinomy

We’re always trying to find new experiences and new value in antinomy, the contradictory, paradoxical elements of design. The “Soft Minimalism” concept is basically proposing a “white black.” On the one hand, it’s got an emphatic visual presence — but on the other hand, it blends into spaces with the cool, withdrawn feel of a video system. For us, the focus was on developing a TV that would balance those two contradictory dimensions and resonate with today’s lifestyles.

Tako, Chief Art Director