Let me first point your attention to a nicely worded article called The Case for Minimalist Web Design. I would insist that readership clicking on the previous link should replace “Web design” with “blog design” and mostly pay attention to the neat little bullet points for the purpose of my little experiment here.

I would like to represent to you my own silly list of bullet points for your consideration:

• Minimalist is a design solution that may/may not be appropriate
• Negative space is a very powerful and persuasive element
• Something about typography, limited though important
• Blah blah graphics used with precision and for a measurable purpose
• In conclusion, Sandbox update is coming

This is what I personally consider after deciding on that first point is: does X add any measurable benefit to the end user, and if it doesn’t, can I throw it out the window?

Here’s the experiment. Recently I came across the web site, The Federalist Papers, and for the most part I was entirely knocked off my feet. It was the first time in a long while that I came to a site where the content and the design so perfectly meshed together.

So I asked myself, what can I learn from what this site does so well and use it in my own designs? This site is useful. The paragraph-level permalinks are useful. The typography is right-on. I’m just fascinated with how well everything clicks together.

Now, if only I could get that to happen on my blog.