In this journal entry we share the seven Zen principles often applied in wabi-sabi design.

The first Zen principle – koko or austerity – which teaches us to refrain from unnecessary excess.

The second principle – kanso or simplicity – is about understated beauty. Beauty may be quiet and not overly decorative in order to cultivate our attentiveness.

The third principle – shizen or naturalness. Derived from nature, but touched by sensitive human creativity.

The fourth principle – yugen or subtlety. It's an allusion to the unfinished, creating a desire to touch it with your imagination. It attracts attention, intrigues and stimulates creativity.

The fifth principle – seijaku or stillness. It is a pause in the music. Motionless moments in the dance. It allows us to fall into a deep breath, which gives a strong inner peace.

The sixth principle – fukinsei or imperfection and asymmetry. Nature is perfect in its imperfection, there is no pure symmetry and sterility. The principle imbues vitality and realness.

The seventh principle – datsuzoku or break from routine. We often circle around inside the routines of our thoughts and habits forgetting how we got there in the first place. Our creativity is constrained by tradition, norms and rules. This Zen principle reminds us to constantly play with new ideas in order to bring in freshness and newness into our lives.