The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#1

Post by culturebeat » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 4:23 PM UTC

The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.
inc.com

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#2

Post by culturebeat » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 4:43 PM UTC

Curious, after Alexis's discussion of Digg, does anyone still use Digg these days? How?

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#3

Post by Qz » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 4:55 PM UTC

As an HN user I realize my opinion is biased, but when I look at reddit I don't think minimalist. In fact it seems somewhat cluttered.

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#4

Post by Groxx » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 5:23 PM UTC

Qz wrote: post #3

As an HN user I realize my opinion is biased, but when I look at reddit I don't think minimalist. In fact it seems somewhat cluttered.

It's minimalist if you consider "minimalism" to mean minimal decoration. Instead of, you know, minimalism.

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#5

Post by revorad » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 5:28 PM UTC

Time lapse video of Making of Hipmunk.com Hotel Chipmunk Bellhop by Alexis Ohanian http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYEQpwduyPU

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#6

Post by pedalpete » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 5:30 PM UTC

Though the design may be minimalist (though arguably, hipmunk is just well designed, minimalist or not), I seriously doubt that is their formula.

The success and buzz around hipmunk is that they have provided a better way to search for flights. That they've done it with a cute logo and minimalist design is maybe a small part of the success, but their ability to create buzz and to create great products can't be overlooked.

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#7

Post by usertm » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 5:34 PM UTC

reddit is not about minimalism, it's all about community, respect and "treating users well".

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#8

Post by usertm » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 5:36 PM UTC

usertm wrote: post #7

reddit is not about minimalism, it's all about community, respect and "treating users well".

(it took me awhile to realize that OP was probably joking. sorry)

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#9

Post by keiferski » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 5:56 PM UTC

Qz wrote: post #3

As an HN user I realize my opinion is biased, but when I look at reddit I don't think minimalist. In fact it seems somewhat cluttered.

Semi-agreed. Reddit is minimal in that it is pretty simple and straightforward to use. Not minimal in the designed-to-be minimalist sense.

The best example of this is Google and Apple. Both are minimalist. But Apple (arguably, of course) has a much better sense of design. Reddit is like Google.

Re: The Hipmunk & Reddit formula: minimalist design; cute logo.

#10

Post by Qz » Wed, Mar 23, 2011, 6:18 PM UTC

keiferski wrote: post #9

Qz wrote: post #3

As an HN user I realize my opinion is biased, but when I look at reddit I don't think minimalist. In fact it seems somewhat cluttered.

Semi-agreed. Reddit is minimal in that it is pretty simple and straightforward to use. Not minimal in the designed-to-be minimalist sense. The best example of this is Google and Apple. Both are minimalist. But Apple (arguably, of course) has a much better sense of design. Reddit is like Google.

I'm not in the Apple boat, but I do know what you mean about the Google-iness of Reddit, and more generally the Google-iness of Google. Aside from google.com itself, there's something about everything they design that is very off-putting in a way that's hard to describe.