OUGD401: Aesthetics, Beauty Style and Taste.

This studio task was based on our understanding of 'aesthetics'. Thetask that was to be completed for today was to collect type, image and type and image designs, 1 of each that we liked and one we disliked. During the session we looked at everyone's images and had to explain to the rest of the group why we had chosen them, in terms of aesthetic quality.

Fred taught us:

• It is important that we don't let content become lost in aesthetic
• Aesthetics looks at the philosophy of beauty and taste
• Don't design for designers, instead design for people

As a class we came up with a list of words to describe aesthetics qualities 

Possitive

• Illustrative
• Minimal
• Clean
• Symmetrical
• Sophisticated
• Crisp
• Textured
• Harmonized
• Organic

Negative

• Blurry
• Cluttered
• Random
• Illegible
• Boring
• Grainy
• Dull
• Inconsistent
• Confusing
• Cheap

We then looked at our partners photo's and wrote down our immediate responses to the work shown. We found that some of our responses were the same, This showed that as a class we all had the same understanding of aesthetics, however since we work so closely it is also a disadvantage that our tastes are so similar. As we grow as designers our understanding and taste of aesthetics will change, and our personal tastes shouldn't be so widely agreed. 

In our partners we then had to come up with 10 aesthetically driven rules of graphic design:

• The concept must be clear.
• The colours should be consistent.
• The design must be innovative and creative.
• The execution must be of a professional standard.
• The design must be engaging and interesting to it's audience.
• Work should be structured, organised and hold a strong format.
• Take in to consideration the link between text and image.
• Design has to be legible and the message/purpose must be instantly clear.
• There should be a delicate balance between concept and aesthetics.

We next had to chose from the list, or create 3 of our own personal aesthetic rules.

• The concept must be clear and concise.
• The design must be innovative and creative.
• The design must be executed to a professional standard.

We then compiled all of our personal rules on to the board so we could look at and compare everyones rules.

We also stuck our rule individually on post its and compared one another's rules in the class.

I chose this image as one that went against my aesthetic rules as the design is over baring and defies consistency and crispness. The use of multiple typefaces displayed create inconsistency through the different weights, sizes and colours which lacks a professional edge. Also the alignment of the text makes it illegible and hard to read for an audience. The colours are dull and washed out which doesn't make it stand out or look appealing. The use of multimedia also doesn't connect well together as there is an unnecessary use of geometric shapes and photo effects that makes the design unharmonised.

I chose this design as one that conforms to my rules. The design showcases a well executed set of design posters that all work cohesively through theme and colour scheme. The colours are simplistic yet chic and work beautifully through the use of different paper. The design is also crisp and sharp due to the finishing touch, text and overall aesthetic. The alignment of text works as an image also for the posters which makes it aesthetically pleasing and the design overall is harmonized trough the use of colours and geometric shapes used.