Maximalism Is Trending But Should You Be Following?

1. Everyone’s Screaming. No One’s Listening.
In a bid to grab eyeballs, Indian brands are throwing everything at the wall like loud visuals, meme references, trending sounds, hyperlocal slang, emotional montages, sometimes all in one ad.

And while some of it hits… most of it feels like an algorithm anxiety.

Maximalism isn’t new. But this new wave? It’s less Bhansali, more feed FOMO.

2. Good Maximalism is Theatre. Bad Maximalism is Noise.
Maximalism isn’t the problem. Mindless maximalism is.

When done right, it’s layered, intentional, and full of energy.. It builds drama, emotion, and identity. It’s like a well-directed stage show: bold, but every move has meaning.

But when it’s just noise for the sake of attention – clashing visuals, chaotic edits, overused tropes.. it stops being creative and starts being confusing.

Without a clear point of view, you’re not building a brand.. you’re just decorating chaos

A lot of D2C brands are going maximal just because it “feels Gen Z.”

Reality check: if your brand looks different in every post, no one’s remembering you.

3. Minimalism is the New Rebellion
In a sea of shouty content, calm is becoming the new flex.

→ Paperboat still whispers nostalgia instead of yelling it.

→ Tanishq lets its legacy shine without glitter bombs.

→ And some skincare brands are embracing clean, clinical aesthetics that quietly scream “premium.”

Because guess what?

Attention gets you in the door. Clarity makes people stay.

4. The Smartest Brands Are Playing Both Sides
Here’s the cheat code:

• Use maximalism where you need scroll-stopping power (Instagram, Reels, festive drops).

• Use minimalism where trust matters (packaging, website, brand story, long-form content).

Or in desi terms:

Dhol bajao on Insta. Sip chai quietly on your website.

5. Final Munchie Take:
Maximalism is not the villain.

Mindless maximalism is.

The real flex isn’t being loud.. it’s knowing when to be loud, and why.

So before you add one more layer of glitter to your next ad, ask yourself:

Is it building your brand, or just burning your budget?