Blog Post #1: Explore an aesthetic. Students were asked to identify an aesthetic and discuss the context a bit such as when was it created? Who were the big players? What influenced it, what did it grow out of? What has it influenced since then?
Post 1 – 2025: Aesthetics Exploration – Raygun Gothic
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Rising to popularity during the early days of the Space Race. Raygun Gothic represents a popular art aesthetic from the 1940s – 1960s. It commonly contains bright, distinct colors similar to those found in comic books, depicting a science fiction-esq “Traditional American” future. Artistic works often include a bright and optimistic outlook on the future…
Aesthetics Exploration – Post 1 Dirt Theory
The paper Dirt Theory and Material Ecocriticism [1] by Heather I. Sullivan “speaks for dirty aesthetics. Although aesthetic landscapes readily inspire environmental thinking, a case can be made for grappling with the truly local dirty matter right at hand. Dirt, soil, earth, and dust surround us at all scales: we find them on our shoes,…
Aesthetics Exploration – American Traditional Tattoos
The aesthetic I have decided to explore is the aesthetic of american-traditional tattoos. American traditional tattoos are characterized by the limited color palette these tattoos utilize, the bold black outlines on these tattoos, and their minimal shading. They all typically follow very similar motifs, many of which come from their history of influence from American…
Aesthetics Exploration – Grimdark
There is a light and dark from the many perspectives of the world, whether its story telling, imagery or even music. There is some sense of a high and low, a yang and yang, In this repetitive duality, Grimdark came into fruition in the genre of fantasy as a counter-balance the the high-fantastical aesthetic .…
Post 1 – 2024 Aesthetics Explorations (Art Deco Aesthetic)
Art Deco is a style that became popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It started in France and quickly spread around the world. This style is known for its sharp, clean lines, bright colors, and fancy decorations. It was a way to show off wealth and the excitement of the modern world during a time…
Aesthetic Exploration: Retro-Futurism
Retro-futurism is a time capsule of what we thought the future would look like in the past. The ideas of what the future would bring often included flying cars and servant robots by the 21st century, but here we are still walking to class. The Jetsons opening credits The roots of retro-futurism can be traced…
Post 1 – 2024 Aesthetics Exploration
Cottagecore is an aesthetic that romanticizes simplistic, pretty, and quaint rural life. Individuals who adapt this aesthetic typically expand it to their lifestyles, valuing slow paces and creating for themselves. Cooking, gardening, and crafting are common, as well as heightened disconnection from social media and busy culture. Defining artistic aspects of cottagecore spaces include floral…
Aesthetics Exploration: Gothic Churches
The late Middle Ages saw the emergence of the Gothic church aesthetic in Europe, which peaked in popularity in the 12th and 16th centuries. Gothic architecture is distinguished by its lofty spires, pointed arches, and fine craftsmanship. It is a singular fusion of inventive talent and religious symbolism. A mystical and dramatic mood is created…
Aesthetics Exploration: Retro-Modern Automotive Design
The Hyundai N Vision 74 represents a recent and rising aesthetic trend in automotive design. Led by the recent releases of the new Ford Bronco, Nissan Z, and continued popularity of the Mercedes Benz G-Class, the retro design aesthetic has become increasingly popular among car buyers and motorsport enthusiasts. …
Post 1: Aesthetics Exploration – Abstract Realism
Abstract Realism AJ Terio Aesthetics in Design 01/22/2024 What is Abstract Realism? Abstract Realism is an artform that combines two contradictory aesthetics of design, abstract art and realism. Abstract art does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality, but instead uses colors, textures, lines, and shapes to create form and…
Aesthetics Exploration: Oceanpunk
Oceanpunk, a nuanced subgenre within science fiction, goes back to the late 20th and early 21st centuries. One of its earliest literary influences was Jules Verne’s work “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” published in the 1870s, which laid a foundational aesthetic for the genre. However, the aesthetic did not come to a large rise until…
Aesthetics Exploration: Visual Psychedelia
The Birth of Psychedelia In 1943, scientist Albert Hofmann synthesized and experimented with LSD, and in the resulting decades, this drug influenced art in a revolutionary way. LSD was initially picked up by many surrealist scholars and artists who were connected with Hofmann, and it had a heavy influence in the literature created during the…
Aesthetics Exploration: Comic Book
I’ve always thought an interesting aesthetic is the comic-book aesthetic. This aesthetic can easily be described by cartoon drawings, visual flairs, and onomatopoeia to make an image or images represent a full setting and story rather than being a standalone scene. When I think of the comic-book aesthetic, I think of the bright colored, hand…
Aesthetics Exploration: Techwear
Four people in “traditional” Techwear. [7] Defining Techwear Techwear is a fashion movement that focuses on the vertices between aesthetics, utility, and comfort. It is the intersection between aesthetic and pragmatic logic where aspects of high fashion and streetwear are melded with functionality and designed with technology and versatility in mind. The functionality of techwear…
Bōsōzoku Aesthetic – Luke Nicol
Bōsōzoku is a subculture/ aesthetic originating in Japan. The word Bōsōzoku roughly translates to “mean motorcycle gang” and first started to appear in the 1950s after world war II. It started with young kamikaze pilots returning from the war looking for excitement and danger after watching western movies. This resulted in the formation of biker…
Post 1: Aesthetics Exploration – Minimalism
I have always appreciated design that simplifies complex tasks in a beautiful (but simple) way. I feel as though a lot of design can be distracting, but thoughtful and simple design can serve as a way to allow someone to focus on what is important to them. The minimalism movement as a philosophy had its…
Ferrari Limited “Icona” Series
The Ferrari Limited “Icona” series pays tribute to its iconic cars from the 1950’s and 1960’s. An era where it was make or break for Ferrari. At that time, Enzo Ferrari, the founder and CEO, was completely focused on his racing team. Yes they produced luxury road cars, but those were only sold in order…
Aesthetic Exploration – Classical Architecture
In my pursuit of aesthetic exploration, I aim to delve into the intricacies of classical architecture, seeking a profound understanding and appreciation of its timeless aesthetic principles. Classical architecture represents a design ethos rooted in the principles of ancient Greek and Roman architectural traditions, emphasizing elements like order, symmetry, geometry, and proportion. Characterized by the…
Aesthetic Explorations: 1950’s Signage
An aesthetic that interested me was the unique signage used during the 1950’s. Signs of the 1950’s are defined by bright colors, fun characters, big lights, and neon. This style developed after the end of WWII, America went through a rapid economic development defined today by its movies, tv’s, and rock ‘n’ roll. To advertise…
Aesthetic Exploration: Industrial Aesthetic
The Industrial Aesthetic was created in the 19th century along with the Industrial Revolution. However, it only gained popularity and became an in the early 2000s. One of the biggest influences on the industrial aesthetic is industrialization and the “leftovers” from the industrial revolution. Initially, the aesthetic was influenced by the repurposing of industrial buildings…
Aesthetic Exploration: Cottagecore
“Cottagecore” is an aesthetic and design style that romanticizes rural living, natural materials, handcrafted items, domestic work like gardening, and other staples of countryside living. The term cottagecore was officially coined on the blog site Tumblr in 2018 following the aesthetic’s development throughout the previous decade, based on an attraction for rural European life [7].…
Aesthetic Exploration: Nature Core
The aesthetic I chose to study is known as ‘nature core’. The reason I chose to use this aesthetic is because I can relate to it quite well. This aesthetic has been around for a long time as it is a very popular posting subject on many apps and websites such as Instagram and Pinterest.…
Aesthetics Exploration: Gorpcore
Gorpcore, a term first coined in 2017, is a fashion style that revolves around wearing functional, outdoors-inspired gear. Named after Gorp, an acronym for trail mix that stands for “Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts”, this aesthetic focuses on wearing high-performance and utilitarian outdoor gear during the average day. In Boulder, seeing someone walk around in…
Minimalist Aesthetic
Minimalism Introduction Through my exploration of design aesthetics, I chose to talk about minimalism. This design aesthetic is centered around generating art which consists of placing more emphasis on the quality over the quantity, following the ethos of “less is more.” This is an intriguing art form to me due to the care which artists…
Aesthetic Exploration: Art of Telling Time
The aesthetic that I chose was the art of depicting time and writing its own history and heritage with it. A circle and two lines is all it takes to convey us time. This evolution of pattern which is the most important type of measurement has been an internal part of the ecosystem where we…
Aesthetics Exploration: Bauhaus
The Bauhaus movement is a German design philosophy that emerged after the First World War. Originating as a response to the artless engineering of the European war machine, this movement aimed to integrate art, design, and engineering into a “socially oriented” viewpoint, embracing the idea that engineers and artists are one and the same. Members…
Atompunk
Atompunk is a futuristic aesthetic focused on how the world would have evolved from the nuclear age of the 1950’s and 60’s. In this timeline the transistor is never invented. This is therefore a future without the digital age. Instead of computers growing smaller and smaller, technology is larger and clunky. Every screen uses cathode…
Aesthetics Exploration: Organic Modern
Organic modern aesthetics are typically created by designing modern, minimalistic spaces and then adding in natural and organic elements to make it feel warm and cozy. According to Jennifer Kelly Geddes, organic modern design “channels a light, airy aesthetic while combining the best of modern design, natural craftsmanship, and a dash of Scandinavian flair” (1).…
Aesthetics Exploration: Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is a style of art and architecture that originated in Europe in the late 19th century. Inspiration for this aesthetic often came from nature, following the natural and sinuous shapes of plants and flowers. We also see a large focus on dynamics, movement, and asymmetry, within Art Nouveau, as well as a focus…
Aesthetics Exploration: Industrialism
Introduction The Industrialism Aesthetic is one primarily characterized by the use of unfinished materials, exposed structures, neutral color palettes, openness, functional-minimalism, and urban decay. A good example would be repurposed factory or warehouse spaces; see the Boulder Urban Outfitters store. Boulder UO https://boulderdowntown.com/go/urban-outfitters Boulder UO https://foursquare.com/v/urban-outfitters/4a6a24adf964a520b1cc1fe3 History The industrialism aesthetic has seen two primary occurrences…
Aesthetic Exploration: Suburban Gothic
The term ‘suburban gothic’ is a somewhat nebulous one, sharing a clear heritage with the more well-defined American or Southern gothic genres (themselves descended from a classical European gothic tradition that dates back as far as the 1760s). In literary terms, the American gothic genre is considered to have begun with the novel Wieland, written…
Aesthetics Exploration: Contemporary
Introduction Contemporary art is a style where creativity has no bounds, and one may find that this style of art may challenge traditional norms and perceptions. This style of art is continuously changing with the times and is produced by artists living today. What one would call contemporary art today would not be considered contemporary…
California Beach Aesthetic
Growing up in California I have noticed that there is a distinct beach aesthetic that exists in the reign. Long white sandy beaches, and palm trees boardwalks, can identify the California beach aesthetic. People with blond hair, tanned fit bodies, open-top Range Rover cars, floral light-colored flowy short clothing, and bright pastel-colored bathing suits. California…
Post 1 – 2024 Aesthetics Explorations
The aesthetic I chose to discuss for my first blog post is the Space-Age aesthetic. This design movement emerged in the 1960s, and came as a result of the launch of the Sputnik, the peak of the space race, i.e., the space age and space exploration. The space age aesthetic came as a response to…
Aesthetic Exploration : Afro House
Afro House is a subgenre of house music that originated in the late ’90s with strong ties to South Africa. One of the biggest contributors to the success and popularity of Afro House is DJ Black Coffee who developed the genre from its South African roots from artists like Brenda Fassie, Malaika and Chimora. …
Steampunk Aesthetic
Zanderclaus – Steampunk coffee machine – https://www.deviantart.com/xandaclaus/art/Steampunk-Fantasy-Espresso-Machine-977906567 Steampunk is an aesthetic set in an alternate reality or fantasy world where man never progressed past steam power. The Aesthetic is based around the 19th century/victorian era with an emphasis on gears and exposed metal. Not only is the style reliant on metal and steam engines but…
Aesthetics Exploration: Mid Century Modern
The mid century modern design was a term first used and generally defined by Cara Greenberg in her book Mid-Century Modern. Following WWII, the modern movement was popular in various uses such as architecture, interior design, and furniture. Mid century modern had heavy influences from older styles; Bauhaus’ round and rectangular forms, and International’s use…
Gothic Aesthetic
I thoroughly enjoy the gothic aesthetic. I spent last Spring semester studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, where I was exposed to gothic structures daily. The gothic movement was initially birthed out of the Romanesque movement in the 12th century in Europe. In an architectural sense, the iconic gothic arch structure was used to allow…
Aesthetic Exploration: Cyberpunk
Introduction: The cyberpunk aesthetic is something that has always caught my eye due to it’s futuristic and dystopian elements. Specifically, the combination of advanced technology, towering skyscrapers, neon lights and a gritty urban landscape. It presented a world with a never-ending upheaval of new technology, but plagued with crime, government corruption and drug culture, which…
Fantastic Realism
Fantastic realism is an art style that emerged in Austria in the middle of the 20th century. Fantastic realism depicts images that can’t really be explained, but drawn in the style of traditional realism, combining abstract art with incredible realism technique. It is described as ” dreamlike visions from the subconscious painted in a realistic…
Post 1 Aesthetic Exploration: Whimsigoth
Originating in the late 1980s-90s, Whimsigoth aesthetics emerged from the peak popularity of gothic-inspired pop/rock music, Tim Burton, and the graphic design work of Margo Chase, Vrontikis, and a bit of Vaughan Oliver. Very popular in the fields of furniture, product, and interior design [1]. Inspired, Evan Collins of the Consumer Aesthetic Research Institute coined…
Industrial Aesthetic
The Industrial aesthetic, also known as Industrial design, emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in response to the rapid industrialization and technological advancements of the time. This aesthetic is closely tied to the rise of industrial capitalism and the shift from agrarian economies to manufacturing-based societies. The movement originated in Europe and…
Aesthetic Explorations – Frutiger Aero
Bliss – Photograph taken by Charles O’Rear https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(image) The Frutiger Aero aesthetic is an aesthetic originating from early 2000’s corporate and digital consumer electronics culture. The Frutiger Aero aesthetic is most recognizable by the iconic Windows XP operating system default desktop background image Bliss, originally photographed by Charles O’Rear in 1996. Frutiger Aero is characterized by…
Ametora Style in Japan
The word Ametora means “American Traditional” in Japanese which started in Japan in the 80’s. This style was initially influenced by the style of east coast ivy league college students which were documented by four Japanese style enthusiasts from between 1959 and 1965. This book became a huge success by selling over 50,000 copies worldwide…
Frank Lloyd Wright Aesthetics
For my aesthetics exploration I decided to look into the architectural design and aesthetics of Frank Lloyd Wright’s many designs. Wright’s style over his lifetime evolved over time starting with his works from 1899 – 1910 where he developed the “Prairie Style” of architecture, which emphasized the horizontal line of the prairie and domesticity. Later…
Norm-Core, The Joke That Became a True Fashion Trend
Normcore, a term born from the convergence of irony and fashion, represents a departure from the traditional notions of coolness. It transcends the pursuit of uniqueness and authenticity, opting instead for a post-authenticity coolness that revels in sameness. At its core, normcore is a deliberate embrace of the mundane, a rejection of alternative subcultures, and…
Post 1 – 2024 Aesthetic Exploration: Goblincore
Goblincore, also known as Gremilncore, is an aesthetic in which people enjoy slightly less conventional things. Seen as the “darker companion to cottagecore”, those who enjoy this aesthetic tend to enjoy more natural and thrifted finds that typically consist of earth tones in darker shades and somewhat worn-looking or second-hand clothing.. The main colors used…
Aesthetics Exploration: Retro-Modern Automotive Design
The Hyundai N Vision 74 represents a recent and rising aesthetic trend in automotive design. Led by the recent releases of the new Ford Bronco, Nissan Z, and continued popularity of the Mercedes Benz G-Class, the retro design aesthetic has become increasingly popular among car buyers and motorsport enthusiasts. …
Aesthetics Exploration – Cottagecore
INTRODUCTION The aesthetic I have chosen is Cottagecore [1]. This aesthetic encapsulates the essence of simple living, countryside charm, and a peaceful connection with nature [2]. This movement draws inspiration from a romanticized interpretation of western agricultural life, embracing values like gardening, sewing one’s clothes, and a rejection of modernity. Let’s explore the intricate characteristics…
Aesthetics Exploration: A Look into Minimalism – Sophie Berry
A Minimal Aesthetic: Minimalism art took hold in New York in the 1960s starting with art and music with Artists like Frank Stellastarted, Donald Judd and Sol LeWitt who made famous minimalist works. In a reaction to the abstract Pop art or Action painting (abstract free expression paintings) that some artists didn’t think was very…
Steampunk Aesthetic
Steampunk is an aesthetic that focuses on industrialization in the early 19th century. It often includes mechanical elements such as gears and engines, and highlights the interest of developing technology in the early 19th century. It aims to combine nostalgia of the past as well as mechanical speculation and fantasy of the future. Steampunk art…
Aesthetic Exploration: 19th Century Science Graphics
I’ve always been struck by the appearance of vintage science posters and charts – their combination of Victorian era printing practices, not quite realistic images, and underlying geometry is hard to find in anything else. For me, they spur a feeling of nostalgia for when I was learning the basics in grade school, as well…
Aesthetics Exploration: Seuss’s Surrealism
Dr. Seuss, the beloved children’s author and illustrator, is celebrated for his distinctive aesthetic that combines whimsy, imagination, and surrealism. Surrealism, an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, seeks to express the irrational and dreamlike aspects of the human mind. Dr. Seuss masterfully incorporates surrealistic elements into his illustrations, creating fantastical landscapes…
Aesthetic Exploration – Outer Space Retrofuturism
[1] Street appearing as it’s orbiting earth Retrofuturism emerged in the 1960s and 70s as the new age of technology and science was influencing people’s imagination about the future. Retrofuturism is the future as seen from the past. It is retro now because the art was created throughout the 20th century. Artists, writers, and filmmakers…
Aesthetic Exploration – Minimalism
Piet Mondrian – Line over form, https://lisathatcher.com.au/2012/07/01/piet-mondrian-line-over-form/ Minimalism was developed in the United States in the 1960s. It is a form of abstract art that uses simple shapes such as squares and rectangles. The idea is that the art is valuable in and of itself rather than an attempt to imitate or make commentary…
Aesthetics Exploration: Synthwave
Synthwave is an aesthetic which seeks to modernize the visual styles contemporary to the 1980s and ’90s. It is unique in that along with a distinct visual style, synthwave has an accompanying style of music (of which synthwave-style artwork often serves as the album cover). It prominently features shades of neon pink and cyan, retro-style…
Aesthetic Exploration: RWB Porches
When I first began brainstorming about an Aesthetic that was interesting to me I could not help but be drawn to delve into RAUH-Welt BEGRIFF Porsches. Although it is not a typical aesthetic relating to fashion or architecture, I do believe that these cars can be viewed as art and have guiding principles. Embark with…
The Industrial Aesthetic
A large craze that we have seen take over the world of interior design and so-called “hype” locations is industrial design. With its raw nature industrial design is characterized by exposed beams, harsh unpainted metals, exposed brick, strong angles, and an overall unfinished or unpolished feel. Image from: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/industrial-interior-design-explained Though the aesthetic has grown in…
Post 1: Aesthetics Exploration Lo-Fi
Chances are high that you’ve already recognized the image featured in this post, the “Lo-Fi Girl,” who can be credited with bringing the Lo-Fi aesthetic to the public eye in recent years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfKfPfyJRdk&pp=ygUFbG8gZmk%3D This aesthetic is mainly known for its music, a genre that consists of low-fidelity sounds to make it sound more aged using…
Post 1 – 2024 Aesthetics Explorations – Retrofuturism
(4) Retro Futurism Futurism on its own represents all of people’s imagination of the future as taken from a past perception. Retro-futurism, however, recollects and reflects on this imagination. The image above, for example, is a depiction of Chicago in the retro futuristic aesthetic. The art style is similar to the political cartoons of the…
Aesthetics Exploration: Cactus Jack
The Cactus Jack aesthetic is very interesting. The founder of this aesthetic is Jacques Bermon Webster II also known as Travis Scott. He is an American rapper, singer, and producer who has achieved four number-one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100. Travis Scott is originally from Houston Texas. He also created a notorious song…
Aesthetic Exploration – Art Deco
[1] Art Deco Architecture: Chrysler Building The Art Deco aesthetic originating in France around the 1920s used sleek geometries with man made materials to symbolize wealth, glamour, and technological progress. Art Deco was most popular in the 1920s and 1930s between the first and second world wars. Although it was relevant beforehand the aesthetic increased…
Aesthetics Exploration: Mid Century Modern
Introduction The mid century modern aesthetic encompasses a wide realm of design including, but not limited to, graphic design, interior design, and product design. It is characterized by its “clean lines, a fusion of organic and manmade materials, and retro style” (MasterClass). This design aesthetic became popular in the mid-twentieth century. Other elements of mid…
Aesthetic Exploration – Lofi
INTRODUCTION: The lofi (low fidelity) aesthetic is typically characterized by nostalgia and relaxation, typically in the form of music accompanied by similarly nostalgic imagery. Within the music, a slow minimalistic melody is used to create a soothing atmosphere that helps to encourage the listener to relax. This type of music is generally combined with other…
Aesthetics Exploration: Art Deco
Post 1 – 2024 Aesthetics Explorations, Art Deco Max Palish Art Deco is a style of visual art, architecture, and product design that originated in the 1920s. The style or aesthetic was first seen in the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs (Art Deco) et Industreils Modernes, a past art expo in Paris that took place…
Aesthetic Exploration: Kawaii
While the word “kawaii” in Japanese means “cute,” its meaning transformed from simply describing something that was lovable to a specific aesthetic that is prevalent in many forms in popular culture today. It was an aesthetic I was obsessed with growing up and it was reflected in a lot of my artwork, but I wanted…
Aesthetic Exploration – Early Recreational Skiing
The aesthetic I have chosen to explore is Colorado skiing in the 1930’s and to the 1960’s. While skiing had existed in Colorado for a considerable about of time before, the true sportiness of skiing was beginning to take shape during this time period as the soldiers of the infamous 10th Mountain Division were making…
Aesthetics Exploration: Naturalist Wood
Joshua Beijer Aesthetics Exploration: Naturalist Wood Michael Hemsworth – ODYWOOD – May 30, 2019 – https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/odywood-kovuk The naturalist wood aesthetic emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the Industrial Revolution and the growing disconnect between humanity and nature. This artistic movement sought to celebrate the inherent beauty of wood…
Post 1 – 2024 – Aesthetics Exploration – Live Edge Epoxy
For my aesthetics exploration I have chosen to explore the world of live edge epoxy furniture that has become a unique aesthetic found in may peoples homes. What I find interesting about this particular aesthetic is the unique combination of art and function that this form of art provides. I personally have made a few…
Aesthetics Exploration: Impressionism
Many of us are familiar with the great artists of the Impressionist movement in art history. Claude Monet, Eduard Manet, Vincent van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Berthe Morisot, and Mary Cassatt all come to mind when you think of the Impressionists. However, their creative visions were so nearly snuffed out by the established, classical art culture…
Post 1 – Aesthetic Exploration: Wabi Sabi
An aesthetic I found that interested me was wabi-sabi. It is an aesthetic that is notable in Japanese art and Japanese tea ceremonies but has spread around the world. Wabi-Sabi focuses on imperfection and transience, and the aesthetic is sometimes summarized by short phrases such as “flawed beauty” and “perfectly imperfect”[1], [2]. While those phrases…
Deconstructivism in Architecture and (Later) Fashion
Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry – from Wikipedia Deconstructivism is a Post-Modernist architectural movement that appeared in the 1980’s. It was primarily characterized by breaking down the barriers of traditional architectural conventions. It abandons symmetry, continuity, order, and harmony. This was a philosophical reaction to the idea that “form follows function” from Modernist…
Photorealism
Photorealism is an art movement that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, characterized by paintings that are so meticulously detailed they resemble photographs. Artists in this movement use a variety of techniques to replicate the appearance of photographic images, often focusing on mundane or everyday subjects with a level of precision and realism…
Desert Modernism – Alex Reynolds
Desert Modernism After World War Two, many Americans who lived in Southern California saw a large construction boom when heading towards the Coachella Valley. With the harsh and rugged environment of the Southern California desert, many architects were able to experiment in a region that had little architectural influence prior. Here, Desert Modernism was…
Aesthetics Exploration: Brutalism
Brutalism is an architectural style that began in the mid-20th century, characterized by its use of raw, exposed materials, bold geometric forms, and a focus on functionality. The term “brutalism” is derived from the French word “béton brut,” meaning raw concrete, which is a common material used in this style. Brutalist architecture is also characterized…
Aesthetics Exploration: Brutalism
Fig 1: CU Boulder Engineering Center, Extremely Brutalist. Photo from the CU Boulder Website Brutalism is a aesthetic defined by functionality, a form of architecture that shows the raw materials of construction. Brutalist is defined by exposed construction materials, unusually shaped buildings and monochromatic colors. Many of the monumental concrete structures seen all over the…
Aesthetics Exploration: Indie Aesthetic
I embrace the “Indie Aesthetic,” a style that I define through my own individuality, independence, and creativity. It’s a blend of grunge, vintage, and normcore elements that I love. For me, the essence of this aesthetic lies in freedom, independence, philosophy, creativity, and uniqueness. As someone who identifies with this trend, I prioritize comfort in…
Aesthetic Exploration: Old School Hip Hop Style
Hip-hop originated in 1970s New York (although it’s highly debated by neighborhoods (Queens, Brooklyn) that were the originators). Even so, the culture began to rise among youths of the time from all neighborhoods. B-boying (break-dancing), jamming to local disc jockeys. The music carried across from coast to coast, inviting those who are creative and have…
Aesthetic Exploration: Surrealism
Surrealistic art is the expression of the imagination. It is said to balance the rational vision of life with the randomness and unpredictability of unconsciousness and dreams.[1] Surrealism focuses on the emotion that is caused from unconventional beauty. Often times with surrealistic art, you will see realistic facial features, like eyes, with an unexpected twist.…
Aesthetics Exploration – Late 90’s / Early 00’s Tech Skate Footwear
Skate shoes are an unusual type of footwear, as they are rapidly destroyed during the act of skateboarding. Abrasion with the grip tape during flip tricks and ollies wears through the upper, blows out stiches, and cuts through laces. Thin soles are preferred for better board feel, but at the same time impact protection must…
Aesthetics Exploration – Op Art
For this assignment I was really interested in perception and perspective. Particularly, I was inspired by the mathematically influenced art movements. This lead me to look further into the Optical Art movement, or Op Art. This is characterized by high contrast, strong geometry, and near abstract or surrealist themes can visualize concepts like infinity or…
Aesthetics Exploration: Biomimicry
[1] Leonardo da Vinci’s Sketch of Flying MachineThe earliest prominent instance of biomimicry was Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches of a contraption that mimicked birds to achieve flight. While a working prototype never came to fruition, the premise of drawing inspiration from the environment has persisted to this day with numerous implementations — both practical and…
Minimalism | Aesthetics Exploration
Post 1 – 2024 Aesthetics Explorations By Hailey Usher Introducing Minimalism I’m choosing to explore the Minimalism aesthetic as it pertains to graphic design. I want to dive into this aesthetic because I enjoy using it in my day-to-day design work as a Creative Technology and Design student. Something about minimalism that I enjoy…
Balinese Architecture
Background During winter break, I had the opportunity to visit Bali with my family. Being someone of Indian descent, I have visited India and other countries in Southeast Asia before. However, the traditional Balinese architecture that I witnessed on this trip amazed me for numerous reasons. Although I could discern influence from Indian, Thai, and…
Aesthetic Exploration: Impressionism
Aesthetic Exploration: Impressionism Starting in the late 1860s, a group of artists met regularly in a modernizing Paris to discuss new painting techniques that would stem away from the popular realism style that was taught in Paris art schools at the time. The realist paintings were put on display in the annual exhibition titled…
Post 1 – 2024 Aesthetics Explorations: Solarpunk
Solarpunk is a speculative genre and artistic movement that focuses on renewable energy, integration with nature, and working towards a sustainable future. The “solar” part of the term refers to renewable and sustainable energy and the “punk” in the term refers to the genre’s anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist ideals. A large part of the sub genre…
Aesthetic Exploration: Minimalism
The Minimalism Aesthetic is known for having a clean visually appealing style. It is characterized by bright neutral colors and minimal distractions. This aesthetic originated as an art style back in the late 1950s. Frank Stella, an abstract painter born in Malden, Massachusetts, was one of the first major contributors to the minimalist art style…
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Jules Fischer-White
Kalin Myers
Keith Hemenway
Kyle Chinn
Lia Cucuzzella
Lindsey Trussell
Luke Gordon
Matt Bloomfield
Matthew Cumpton
Mateo Esteve
Matt Sherman
Max Van Cleave
Max Williams
Mila Bergmann-Ruzicka
Min Than
Mia Winstead
Nile Brown
Nita Byati
Nick Rios
Patrick Hetlage
Pisay Suzuki
Robert Forstbauer
Rystan Qualls
Sam Nicastro
Scott Ehrlich
Seth Dry
Sean Ostrander
Senayt Wolde
Shubham Dhumal
Shreya Pradeep Sekar
Sofia Fernandez
Sylvia Robles
Tay Cummins
Tanmay Mhatre
Taylor Wittwer
Thomas Brentano
Tyler L'hotta
Tyler Lloyd
Zoe Cooper
Jean Hertzberg