Aesthetic Considerations
- Aesthetics is about how a design looks, feels, and appeals to the user.
- They are essential in shaping a product’s identity, usability, and emotional impact.
- Aesthetics are a critical component of design, influencing User Experience, Marketability and Brand Differentiation.
Key Aesthetic Qualities to Consider:
Colour
- Colour is a powerful tool in design, influencing emotions, perceptions, and brand identity.
- Natural (e.g. warm tones of wood) or customisable (e.g. dyed polymers).
- Impacts mood, brand identity, and visibility
- Warm Colours: Reds, oranges, and yellows evoke energy and warmth.
- Cool Colours: Blues, greens, and purples convey calmness and stability.
- Neutral Colours: Blacks, whites, and grays provide a versatile backdrop, often used in modern and minimalist designs.
The use of bright, bold colours in children's toys is designed to attract attention and stimulate creativity, while neutral tones in luxury cars convey sophistication and elegance.
Texture / Tactility
- Texture affects both the look and feel of a material, influencing how users interact with a product.
- Smooth Textures: Often associated with modernity and elegance (e.g. polished metals)
- Rough Textures: Convey a sense of ruggedness or naturalness. Common in wood or stone surfaces.
- Matte Finishes: Reduce glare and create a subtle appearance, often used in electronics and automotive design.
- Glossy Finishes: Enhance vibrancy and luxury, popular in consumer electronics and jewelry.
- Texture affects comfort, grip, and perceived quality
Transparency / Opacity
- Important in glass, polymers, or fabrics (e.g. phone screens vs frosted lighting).
- Used to guide attention, diffuse light, or hide internal components
