Welcome to the Aesthetics of Design Website. This site displays student work in the Aesthetics of Design class at CU Boulder. This site serves as an archive for current and past student projects, and for current students to develop their portfolio and documenting skills. It is also an Open Educational Resource, for anybody interested in how to make these projects, and for educators who might like to teach a course like this: all lecture notes and videos are available, as well as syllabus, schedule assignments etc..
This year’s fourth post, where students describe opposite Upcycle Aesthetic.
Opposite upcycle Aesthetic
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The contradicting aesthetic to my tropical tiki aesthetic would be the aesthetic of industrial life. This would include a lot of concrete, and gray tones. The tropical aesthetic would be made with natural forming materials such as wood or bamboo, while the Industrial aesthetic is based heavily in materials that can be mass produced for…
Hallyu-Inspired Water Bottle Sling: What is the Opposing Aesthetic?
The Coquette aesthetic. Coquette Blue Bow Princess Dress W696 from The Kawaii Mori Store, photo from [1]The E-girl aesthetic, photo from [2] added by Quiben M. to the E-girl gallery on Aesthetics Wiki.My project’s aesthetic is slightly modified and unique. It kind of contrasts itself in a way… (which is what I was aiming…
Brutalist Maximalist Aesthetic – The Opposite of Scandinavian Design!
If Scandinavian interior design is all about warmth, minimalism, and organic textures, then its complete opposite has to be Brutalist Maximalism—a bold, unapologetic fusion of industrial toughness and dramatic excess. If Scandi is the well-behaved straight-A student, Brutalist Maximalism is the rebellious teenager who listens to heavy metal at full volume. What is Brutalist Maximalism?…
Modern Film Slide Lampshade (Opposite Upcycle Aesthetic)
(featured image generated by DALL-E AI) My upcycle project is strongly rooted in the past lives of the objects I’m using. The film slides I acquired date back as far as the 1950s. To me, the older they are, the better. The aesthetic focuses heavily on the nostalgic feeling these photos evoke, as each one…
Automated High-Tech Self-Watering Planter
(featured image generated by DALL-E AI) Inspiration While my upcycle project focuses on sustainability by repurposing a 2-liter bottle into a self-watering planter, this project will take a completely opposite approach. Instead of DIY rustic, this upcycle will embrace high-tech precision and engineered aesthetics. My inspiration for this project comes from my love for efficiency,…
Modernist Aesthetic in a Chalk Bag
Modernism Definition: “Sharp, clean-cut geometries. An open space, minimalist look.” (Jagelski, 2021). Sleek and dull, modern design contrasts the characteristics of the vintage americana aesthetic. Modernism is a common design choice for houses in the 2000’s. Characteristics in modernist homes possess neutral colors, smooth textures, and rectangular geometric designs. Fig 1. 2020 Modern Studio (Baldwin,…
Opposite Upcycle Aesthetic: Artificiality and the Supernaturalism
Currently, parts of the world is growing like an onion, adding more manmade layers to spots deeply rooted in man’s creations. What was once a few acres of trees, or desert, or grassy plains could now be the site of an Amazon fulfillment center, or a Walmart supercenter. As the artificial intelligence renaissance continues to…
Rustic Pokemon TCG Box
My upcycling project is focused on an opulent Pokémon TCG deck box. Specifically, I used black acrylic to show the high-level feel that would come from opulence (think a nice grand piano). The accent colors for the design on the front were metallic/pearl colors to elevate the grandeur feel of the box. The design itself…
Opposite Aesthetic – Maximalist vs Minimilism
The aesthetic I am going for is what I think is a blend of maximalist and minimalism. The design of the coasters themselves is minimal and simple, yet the “look” of the coasters will have more color and vibrancy to them. I would like to essentially recreate Jackson Pollock’s artwork for my coaster design. His…
Industrial Aesthetic, Anti-Nature
The opposite of the “earth core” and “solarpunk” aesthetic would be a hyper-industrial, high-tech, and synthetic look, one that emphasizes [1] Deepaiartificiality rather than nature’s reclamation. Instead of soft, organic textures and earthy tones, this alternative aesthetic would highlight the rigid, mass-produced nature of the materials. The design would feature sharp geometric lines, smooth reflective…
Opposite Upcycling Project
The opposite upcycling project to my magnetic wooden knife holder would most likely resemble a mass-produced, injection-molded knife holder that technically achieves the same functionality. However, while my project emphasizes craftsmanship, sustainability, and visual appeal, this alternative design would focus purely on efficiency, affordability, and uniformity. Figure 1: Injection Molded Knife Stand The most important…
1960’s Office Aesthetic
What is the opposite of a Parisian Jazz Aesthetic? Is it Mongolian rap, or maybe Canadian heavy metal? Im not exactly sure, but I know that Parisian Jazz is often characterized by its bright, vibrant colors with a flowery, light aesthetic that is not afraid of being original. Figure 1: My Parisian Jazz Aesthetic lamp…
Brutal Bee: Upcycle Opposites
My upcycle project merges the aesthetics of Hyperbolic Distortion and Bee-Core, drawing inspiration from their shared principles of spatial manipulation, organic curvature, and natural algorithms. While exploring their opposites, I noted the intriguing similarities between these two seemingly distinct styles, which revealed unexpected connections in their approach to form and space. Hyperbolic Lampshade by Gabriele…
Collage Cards: Opposite Aesthetic
My Collage Card Aesthetic In my initial post about my upcycling project, I determined the aesthetic would be maximalist, vintage, and whimsical. The maximalism comes from the quantity of items pasted on the card, meaning there are plenty of things for your eyes to follow. The vintage retro aesthetic is created by the materials used…
Opposite of Upcycle Aesthetic
The aesthetic that I focused on for my upcycle project was the “ski bum” aesthetic. This aesthetic reflects a mindset where skiing is the number one priority. This mindset is accompanied by bright colors, fun fabrics, second-hand clothing, and a care-free attitude. There are a few aesthetics that come to mind when I think of…