Creativity and aesthetics

imagine. Conceptualise. create.

As a designer, I’ve always considered myself empathetic and creative, often bringing my artistic sensibilities into my work. However, over time I have come to understand that aesthetics go far beyond choosing a pleasing colour palette. Every aspect, from a product’s shape and texture to the design of its presentation slides, posters, and exhibition stands, must align with the product’s purpose and the message I, as a designer, aim to convey.

Throughout my projects, I have applied skills like sketching, graphic design, and aesthetic composition to enhance the visual and emotional impact of my work. This is especially evident in my Final Bachelor Project and the Aesthetics for Interaction course (where I worked on the visual design and made the full 3D model of the prototype). I also contributed to the overall look and image of projects like Project 1 and the Honors Academy Project, where I led PR and visual design. Beyond the curriculum, I have continued to refine these skills in extracurricular activities, like designing the hoodie merchandise for Confluente in 2024 as part of the PR Committee.

Visual design is often the user’s first point of contact with a product. As a designer, I use aesthetics not only to ensure visual appeal but also to reflect functionality and convey emotion or meaning at a glance. In the past, I struggled to find my personal style and to make design decisions based not just on what looked good, but on what aligned with the product’s purpose. For example, while designing the hoodies, I had the freedom to add as many visual elements as I wanted to create an intricate design. But in contrast, during the Aesthetics for Interaction project, I learned the importance of design affordances and coherence. That particular product was meant to resemble an ancient mechanism used before the invention of the clock. Its design had to evoke nature and calmness, with soft, rounded forms and soothing green tones. It couldn’t feel overly modern or multifunctional, or it would contradict the very idea it was built to express. Through this experience, I realised that aesthetics isn’t just about making something look beautiful, it’s about telling a story and communicating a message through design, a key insight in aiding my vision and designing meaningful experiences.