Main Project Plans

My Personal Aesthetic: Indie/Nature

My personal aesthetic is a blend of indie and nature-inspired elements. It’s rooted in a love for organic things, muted earthy tones, and a sense of raw, unpolished beauty. Think of the warmth of handcrafted ceramics, the soft glow of natural light filtering through trees, and the imperfect charm of analog photography. This aesthetic is deeply tied to a sense of nostalgia and simplicity, evoking feelings of calm, introspection, and connection to the natural world.

Major 20th Century Design Movements

My aesthetic draws on several key 20th-century design movements:

1. Retro Movement: This movement emphasized organic, funky shapes, and a return to nature. Its focus on organic forms and natural materials resonates deeply with my aesthetic as I think it is just plain awesome.
2. Minimalism: The clean lines and focus on essential elements in minimalism align with my preference for simplicity and understated beauty.
3. Postmodernism: The playful, eclectic nature of Postmodernism inspires my love for mixing textures, patterns, and eras in a way that feels personal and unique.

[1] Retro/70s aesthetic

Inspirations from My Past

My aesthetic has been shaped by a variety of environments and experiences:

• Growing Up in the Northeast: The lush forests, misty mornings, and trips to the coast instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature’s textures and colors. The way moss grows on rocks, the sound of rain on leaves, and the smell of damp earth are all deeply embedded in my creative psyche.
• Indie Music: Bands like the Strokes, the smiths, and more folk artists like Jack Johnson have been huge inspirations. Their music often feels like a sonic representation of nature—layered, raw, and deeply emotional. Growing up I had a sleep playlist my parents made and a few of the songs were by Jack Johnson which I believe shaped my tastes to be like his.
• Video Games: Games like Firewatch and The Legend of Zelda have also influenced me. Their art styles—striking yet serene, with vast natural landscapes—have inspired my approach to color palettes and composition.
  

  

 Main Project

After thinking about this, I don’t believe my main project will revolve around this kind of aesthetic. While the indie/nature vibe has been a significant part of my creative identity, I feel drawn to explore something different for my current work. This doesn’t mean I’m abandoning my love for organic textures, earthy tones, or the raw beauty of nature—those elements will always be a part of me. However, I’m ready to shift my focus and experiment with new themes and styles that feel more aligned with where I am creatively right now.

I don’t necessarily think I’ll pick something entirely outside of my comfort zone, but I also don’t believe my main project will be rooted in indie aesthetics at all. Instead, I’m leaning toward something more structured, polished, and perhaps even a bit more modern. I’ve been inspired by mid-century modern design lately, with its clean lines, geometric shapes, and bold use of color. There’s something about the balance of simplicity and sophistication in this style that feels fresh and exciting to me. I’m also intrigued by the idea of incorporating digital art into my work, blending traditional techniques with technology to create something entirely new.

 

[1] https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/trend-alert-conversation-pits-251828

[2] https://store.steampowered.com/app/383870/Firewatch/

[3] https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-strokes-the-new-abnormal/

*Assisted with deepseek