Parameters of Aesthetic Objects: Applied Aesthetics

Abstract

The fundamental premise of this article is that aesthetic theorists have a responsibility more clearly to delineate the parameters of aesthetic objects than has been done. It is concluded that these parameters are known but have not been systematically organized. Consequently, they are not known as distinct parameters except to aesthetics specialists, and certainly not to practitioners in applied aesthetics. Three well-known parameters are delineated; formal parameters, fidelity parameters, and content (message) parameters, Three applied situations in which aesthetics are employed are described. These are fashion apparel design, art design, art psychotherapy and product advertising. For each of these it is illustrated how knowledge of the three parameters might lead to better applications.

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