In this chapter, the principle of design beauty is proposed, and the hierarchy of design beauty is pointed out. The principles of design beauty are high-quality materials (light, thin, soft, or hard), best technologies (consistent with mathematical theories, namely the “structure of force” by Rudolf Arnheim), and best structure (consistent with the least action principle). In the history of aesthetics, artistic design can be divided into three periods in terms of its nature and tendency: the period of “imitation” and “similarity,” the period of “concepts,” and the period when Deign beauty prevails everywhere.
TopIntroduction
Design aesthetics is the practice of systemic aesthetics.
It is an industrialized artistic beauty on the coattails of information and internet.
The process of pursuing the beauty of design is first visualizing (concepts, desires, and passions) — then executing— and finally finishing the artwork.
TopThe Hierarchy Of Design Beauty
In the history of aesthetics, artistic design can be divided into three periods in terms of its nature and tendency.
The Period of “Imitation” and “Similarity”
Imitation, according to Aristotle, is what separates men from animals as it is part of human nature. (Aristotle,1996) The ancient Greek sculptures, medieval architectures and Renaissance Humanism paintings all pursued the similarity to nature to achieve the harmony between their minds and nature. They also held religion and nature in great awe and respect to maintain the balance between their bodies and minds. The more similar their works were to the nature, the more their works were credited. The design and manufacturing of artworks such as sculptures and murals also followed this principle.
The Period of “Concepts”
Artworks including romantic music, dramas, and modern animations are all well beyond the field of realism and are on their way to a world of fantasy and dream. It is an ongoing process where the fine line between artwork and non-artwork is gradually disappearing. At this rate, design beauty will be on display in every industry such as the design beauty of DNA, orgasms, plants, animals and technologies. In addition, the “Belt and Road Initiative”, the design beauty of global internet and China’s Tiangong space lab are all magnificent examples of design beauty.
According to Hegel, the development of art has gone through three stages, namely the symbolic, classical and romantic stages. Symbolic art pursues the similarities of appearances; classical art focuses on the harmony between external and internal things; while romantic art prefers internal values to material forms. (Hegel, 1916)
The period of “concepts” under discussion is the transitional period between classical and romantic art. The transition from imitation to reproduction marks a further advancement from the period of “similarity”.