Aesthetics

I'm currently trying to define what my design aesthetics are. This page serves as a reference point that helps me find answers. My ultimate goal would be to create my own design system.

Software

I like minimalist interfaces that work both in light and dark mode.

Color and visual language

I like the idea of color and visual language (like icons) having meaning all over the application. For example in my future program I have these data types:

• Text
• Time
• Journal

Presentation

For some reason I like it a lot when the capture subject is part of a grander interface. It gives context and intention, and helps to focus on what's important at the same time.

Displaying data

I like the idea of retro computer aesthetics for displaying information instead of color (that I think should be used for visual language). It can be graphs, maps, icons, numbers, text.

But I'm not really nostalgic of the aesthetic. It's just more functionnal.

Abstract animations

I like abstract animations that give visual identity to the rest of the program. They probably should not appear too much, but could be used in discreet places to make them more interesting (like a footer on a website);

Illustration

I like a lot of illustrations styles but the one I feel works well for the web uses flat colors and lines. But I don't like the trend of vector illustration as a way to infantilize people like. They have to be eerie, complex and capture the intention.

The added bonus: it's possible to animate them when they are in SVG, making the website more alive.

Objects

I like objects two ways:

• Either they are minimalist and self explanoratory
• Or they are are complex and don't hide their complexity

In both situation, I like that they are analogic. No touch screen for example, I prefer real buttons.