Today’s article is about comprehending the idea of aesthetic design, considering not only its appearance but also its function in social media design.
Keeping in mind that aesthetics consist of an important sector of philosophy and that psychology has often studied how the looks of people are connected with their personality, it should be stated that products with good appearance are perceived as more valuable and of higher quality. Social media aesthetics follow the same principle as they heavily depend on the use of aesthetic art, graphic visuals, and illustration for the interface.
Aesthetics is not affecting only our vision, but all our senses, offering us a unique experience.
Vision, is our tool to see what is actually beautiful. The fundamental elements of vision aesthetics are: Color, Shape, Pattern, Line, Texture, Visual weight, Balance, Scale, Proximity and Movement. Sometimes the design of a product is what catches a costumer’s eye.
The sounds occurring from products define to a degree the way a costumer perceives a product. The fundamental elements of sound aesthetics are: Loudness, Pitch, Beat, Repetition, Melody, Pattern and Noise. Using them well will create enjoyable “music” for our users. Sounds like the one the notifications in smartphones make or the sounds of a vacuum cleaner often influence a costumer’s decision.
Furthermore, material aesthetics have to do with touch and how it assists us in experiencing aesthetics. The fundamental elements of material aesthetics are: Texture, Shape, Weight, Comfort, Temperature, Vibration, and Sharpness. Sometimes, senses as the touchscreen of a smartphone are things we keep in mind while making a shopping decision.
Lastly, smell and taste allow us to gain a more vivid experience, especially when the food industry is concerned. The fundamental elements of smell and taste aesthetics are Strength, Sweetness, Sourness, and Texture (for taste). They often define the depth of our experience as costumers.
Aesthetically pleasing designs satisfy the costumer, they stimulate his senses and they enhance positivity. When designing an aesthetically pleasing product, we should consider several aspects, including physical, social psychological and ideological pleasure.
However, usability often contrasts with a products design. The majority of industries, decided to reach a balance between the two concepts while others like the fashion industry seem to show a preference in just one.
The bottom line is that aesthetic design is nowadays essential in purchasing a product and significant as a feature of social media design. Social media and applications are designed based on aesthetics to provide a more pleasing experience to the audience.