"Weniger, aber besser." Less, but better.
This single phrase from Dieter Rams has shaped more design decisions than any other principle I know.
What it means
It's not minimalism for its own sake. It's not removing things to be trendy. It's the relentless focus on what actually matters.
Every feature you add is a feature you must maintain. Every element on a page is attention you're asking for. Every word in a sentence is time you're spending.
Applied everywhere
This principle scales:
- Products: Fewer features, better execution
- Writing: Fewer words, clearer meaning
- Schedules: Fewer commitments, deeper focus
- Possessions: Fewer things, more appreciation
The hard part
Adding is easy. Removing is hard. "Less but better" requires you to make choices, and choices require confidence.
But the result is worth it: things that work, that last, that matter.