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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

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…

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?…

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,…

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…

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…