Opposite Aesthetic: Corporate

My upcycling project is on an Indie aesthetic, which is characterized by individualism and self-expression. Because of this, I believe the corporate aesthetic is its opposite. This aesthetic is largely based on fitting in with a mold, with a distinct lack of variety and expression.

Corporate outfits are typically suits, blazers, and clothing that is generally considered fancy. Blacks and whites are the predominant colors, with the most of other colors likely being ties or maybe accessories, but even then, they avoid being eye-catching. This is largely opposed to what is worn with Indie aesthetics, which is very casual clothing with whatever colors the wearer likes. The quality of the clothing is also vastly different, with many Indie outfits being thrifted or low-cost.

Even corporate art has this same air of conforming. A lot of them feature the same or similar styles, even if they are from different companies or by different artists. This, opposed to self-made art, feels especially soulless. Corporate art tends to have a feeling of feigning friendliness or trying to make you ignore the negatives that the companies using them might have.

In the end, I think the main difference between the corporate and indie aesthetic is how much of one’s soul can be seen in it. In corporate settings, you are always doing whatever someone above you wants you to do, rather than what you yourself think (unless you are the one at the top). This can be seen as soulless in many cases. You blend in with everyone else and do as you are told. Indie, however, can be seen as you being your own boss. You get to make decisions for yourself and put as much of yourself into your actions and image as you want.

References:

Featured image: https://meridiandesign.com/projects/nyc-corporate-offices

Figure 1: https://president-tailors.com/business-suit/

Figure 2: https://www.dreamstime.com/office-teamwork-business-meeting-talking-employees-busy-corporate-cartoon-workers-businessman-team-works-together-image115749721

Figure 3: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/business-discussion-vector-cartoon-illustration-flat-2470502339

Figure 4: https://personalbrandingblog.com/climbing-the-corporate-ladder/