Carl Barenbrug RSS Feed

Never did I imagine myself getting into running, especially as a man approaching middle-age.

At the risk of sounding melodramatic, it feels like the end of an era.

You may or may not know that I’m the cofounder of minimalism.com.

I've worked with Photoshop for an age.

It’s said that nothing lasts forever, nor should it.

It recently dawned on me that, as a digital designer, I had yet to make a macOS or iOS app.

A blogger challenge.

Another blogger challenge, but this time one I’m initiating.

2026 for me, will aim to be: In brown cardio saunas tennis rituals reading yarning self-care networking self-awareness design friction professionalism better hydration company building home improvements creative conviction climbing breakthroughs voice + v…

For the month of November, I shared a small social experiment with a few friends where our messages, which would ordinarily be text-based, were strictly audio.

What gets lost when everything is effortless?

This topic has been doing the rounds on the indie web recently, initially prompted by David and subsequently by Manu.

Not so long ago, Apple built its reputation on a simple promise: it just works.

I’ve always appreciated the word blog.

Us designers love to talk about tools, processes, and skills.

I’m currently working on a new project for minimalism.com (clue in the title).

I think it's been about three years since I last updated my desk setup.

This is an evolved thought of my post about my favourite designers ever.

The little creative lab I run with Manu, FormFeelingFunction®, is starting to take shape — albeit slowly.

Once upon a time, the power of a strong social media following could make a career.

I've been mulling over my presence on social media for a while now.

As the year draws to a close with gloomy December days compensated with lots of artificial lighting, it's not surprising that many people take the time to reflect on their recent past — what we've managed to achieve, what we learned, what we failed in, wh…

2025 for me, will be: In blogging 3D modelling prototyping experimental design endurance climbing single session training days swimming saving self-care selling investing uniform long hair house + techno sound design Out comparison shyness dishes in sink…

Lately, I've been thinking about my inner compass — the one that guides me through work and daily life.

Sometimes things need to end so we can create something new.

In my previous post, I mentioned that Minimalissimo was coming to an end and that I'd be embarking on a new adventure with FormFeelingFunction®.

Ritual, a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or revered objects.

I'm selling minimalism.com and all @minimalism usernames across various web platforms, including Twitter/X, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, and Pinterest.

We need good taste to make good things, but we must first qualify and understand what good means in the sense of design.

When asking this question, I'm not really thinking too literally.

For the longest time, I’ve shared my work through blog posts or social media, rather than having a typical portfolio.

Although I've effectively stepped away from running Minimalissimo®, it's still a site I adore and visit pretty much daily for a well-curated dose of minimal design.

099 Supply is a collaborative project that builds tools for creators.

It's Good Friday. 7AM.

The Minimalism Life® project, now eight years in the making, began as an experiment.

Since the relaunch of minimalism.com, where we created a series of technical drawings inspired by some iconic and beautifully designed objects to the homepage modules, I wanted to further explore this line art direction.

Ever thought of having a personal uniform?

This is my response to Manu's article for the IndieWeb Carnival on digital relationships.

This week sparked a new chapter, direction, and era for Minimalism Life®, a project I cofounded in 2016.

I recently wrote about bandwidth and how I've been struggling to balance my day job as a product designer with several side projects and businesses.

Personalisation sells, but good design satisfies.

If you're unfamiliar with Product Hunt, it's a platform used to share and discover new digital products.

I discovered this "app defaults" initiative through Manu, and although many of my defaults are the same, I thought I'd share my setup regardless, adding a few new ones: Type App(s) Mail Client Apple Mail Mail Server Google Workspace Notes iA Writer + Apple

I try not to pay too much attention to time, but sometimes it's hard to ignore.

I first came across the philosophy of ikigai when I discovered and read the book by the same name.

The concept of slow design is one I've applied for several years.

I’ve been designing things — mostly for screens and, to a lesser extent, analogue products — since 2007.

I was recently asked what my values are in life.

I like making lists.

For a long time I considered myself a slow thinker.