Aesthetics & Nature
Aesthetics & Nature
In my creative process, I often look to nature for inspiration. Since I was an infant, I have always been captivated by the beauty of flowers, stars and animals. I am fascinated by how plants grow and flourish, how stars create the foundation for life and how animals are like us in many ways.
Growing up, I rode horses to my grandma’s house, drank milk from cows I milked and saw watermelon grow from a flower to a size larger than my infant self.
During my time at Dartmouth, I took numerous astronomy classes where I learned how we are made from the remnants of stars; we are made from carbon atoms and carbon atoms are what is left after a star dies. So yes, you are stardust.
And, since moving to New York, I have been obsessed with home plants. Think Monstera Delicisosa, Birds of Paradise and Money Trees. Something about being surrounded by plants is so calming, even when your surrounding is going 100 mph. For me, it is the color and the vibrancy which inspire me most—the commanding green leaves on a Birds of Paradise, the pastel pinks of Peonies or the glorious scent of a fresh rose.
Yes, all of these things are beautiful but what I have just described has made me even more fascinated with seeking design inspiration from nature.
Nature is one of the finest examples we have when it comes time to design and create the world around us. As a designer and as someone concerned with aesthetics, I look up to nature every day. Nature is the oldest and the best designer after all; we are design
I. Pattern and repetition, the slightest curve and the lightest touch can transform a piece from okay to unforgettable. Iteration, iteration, iteration is our best friend to discovering what works for every one of us whether a designer or someone just trying to find out their aesthetics
II. Colors are vibrant, perfect. They rarely overwhelm. Every piece is perfect as is. I grew up around religion, thus, I learned to see and respect every creation as a divine act. Regardless of your religious beliefs or upbringing, I hope you see the magic around the many creations in the universe. Of beauty, past and present and hidden design that is present for us, just waiting for us to see it, once we open our senses to it.
III. Flowers bloom and simply are. They are for everyone to enjoy. They do not need permission to grow yet they light up their environment. Their good design is available for everyone to see or discover
IV. There is group identity and individuality – I am obsessed with flowers because they never fail to bring a ray of light into our lives. They do not try to be everyone’s flower. Your favorite flowers might be Roses or Peonies. Each one is beautiful on its own and beautiful as a collective. There is no right or wrong flower to like most. This is how design should be, diverse
V. Efficient design, no waste. For example, plants take in carbon monoxide, make their food and give out oxygen. This is what I call good design. I see waste as a byproduct of inefficiencies thus I use recycled gold and fix things instead of replacing them. There is no need to create unnecessary waste
VI. In harmony, we believe, the fact there is a beautiful dance happening at night when the sun settles, the moon rises and the birds sing songs to us and each other early in the morning
VII. Abundance, there is so much to discover. Sometimes it is easy to get discouraged and feel as if there are no more ideas to be found or feel like you have stopped growing. But simply looking around the room makes you realize how much there is to discover and to explore. There is room for your ideas too, there is room for growth. There is hope
Image c / o Nelly
2021