Assignment:

Bring your inspiration collection! Just as fashion students bring their style boards, bring your curated collection of beauty - from any medium that speaks to you. Create a digital collection (Pinterest, Miro board, folder) of things you find beautiful:

• Websites you love using
• Spaces you enjoy being in
• Objects that feel satisfying
• Systems that feel elegant
• Art that moves you
• Fashion that inspires you

Don't judge or analyze yet - just collect what resonates.

Analyzing Your Inspiration

Throughout this workshop, we'll be analyzing this outfit from TheLeatherHouse:

Authenticity

Authenticity is the continuous process of communicating your true values, intentions, and internal state to the world. Inauthenticity comes about when your layers of communication (outfit, body language, words, etc.) are communicating conflicting messages. This applies whether you're:

• Designing an interface
• Arranging a space
• Creating a product
• Building a brand
• Choosing an outfit

Being authentic is finding that sweet spot in your medium:

• If you hate what you've created = failing
• If it feels comfortable but miscommunicates = friction
• If it feels true but alienates your audience = isolation

As you conduct your analysis, keep an eye out for anything that feels especially (in)authentic.

Example: One of the indications of authenticity is when your overall message doesn't fall into a stereotype. In a video game, these would be the default settings. Here the outfit combines a formal style with the punk aesthetic.

Analytical elements

We will be analyzing these images for color, pattern, and theme. Material and shape will be in a later workshop when we're focusing not just on general aesthetic but particularly clothing. You could also look into the composition of the photo and the geometry, and if your analysis leads there don't be afraid to explore it.

Colors

• Describe why you like each photo and which colors stick out to you.
• Then your group will share what they read out of it, then consult the color chart below for the common meaning of those colors.
• Then look at the second chart and determine whether the outfit is “warm” or ''cool'' based on the colors then determine the season. Warm colors are generally exciting or stimulating, while cool colors dampen emotions.
• You can use the season that matches your existing colors (for fashion - hair and skin color, or for architecture - expected sunlight and existing background) to expand your palette to finish your design. The opposite side of the wheel has good contrast colors.
• This exercise is to help you begin to develop the sense of the “vibes” communicated by certain looks.
• Last, choose two of the below elements of emotional impact to analyze your colors through:

□ Initial reaction
□ Sustained feeling
□ Cultural associations
□ Personal connections

Example:

• Meaning: Black and grey, with a hint of red. Composure, mystery, and a small grab for attention.
• Season: Cool, deep winter.
• Sustained Feeling: Curiosity about the kind of person who would mix these together.
• Personal Connections: "I got this from my niece for my birthday!"

Patterns

• Patterns are harder to describe. For 2 easy examples, pinstripes are a classic retro look, while floral patterns are cheery.
• The image below has some common patterns that you can use to at least get a language for some of the patterns you will see.
• Being completely honest, this is much harder to pin down compared to colors.
• Similar to colors, you’ll share the patterns you like in the photos and why you like them.
• Then your group will explain what those patterns communicate to them.

Patterns also exist in these domains (and others), use them as appropriate for your design:

• Visual Design

  • Layout grids
  • Navigation systems
  • Content hierarchy
  • Information flow

• Spatial Design

  • Traffic patterns
  • Sight lines
  • Activity zones
  • Light/shadow play

• Temporal Design

  • User flows
  • Interaction patterns
  • Animation timing
  • Content rhythm

Theming Continued

• Another way this works is by filling in archetypes but with a flair! Being an archetype is to be a stereotype. And that's ok sometimes, but do you think you are so one-dimensional that this authentically communicates your inner depth? Of course not! 
• Using an archetype you resonate with as a basis to build on you can try and combine it with your own sense of style by remixing it with another “archetype” you resonate with. For Example: you may really resonate with a rustic Cowboy look but also want to communicate a resonance with punk rock. This may manifest as black cowboy boots, a cowboy button down with skulls on it, or a punk rock inspired leather jacket with a 10 gallon hat.
• Go here and generate a random theme for your group.
• Find images on that theme on Pinterest or the internet. Paste them into a shared document or share them with your group in Discord.
• Combine some elements (one or two pieces of each image) from these into an outfit to give off this theme.
• If this feels hard, imagine you are the director of a film and you're costuming someone who's supposed to fill this role.

Homework

Over the next week:

• Find creators who successfully mix different aesthetics in your medium
• Analyze their techniques for:
  • Maintaining coherence
  • Managing transitions
  • Balancing elements
  • Creating harmony
• Document specific examples
• Begin experimenting with your own combinations

Be prepared to share your analysis next week as we explore "The Rule of Cool"!

Bonus: Deep Analysis Worksheet

Here is the whole analysis all in one place for your convenience.

ELEMENT IDENTIFICATION
Primary Elements:
□ Core features
□ Key materials
□ Essential patterns
□ Dominant colors

Supporting Elements:
□ Secondary features
□ Accent materials
□ Background patterns
□ Supporting colors

RELATIONSHIP MAPPING
Internal Relationships:
□ Hierarchy
□ Balance
□ Rhythm
□ Flow

External Relationships:
□ Context
□ Environment
□ User interaction
□ Time factors

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Immediate Response:
□ First impression
□ Gut reaction
□ Initial understanding
□ Emotional connection

Sustained Impact:
□ Lasting impression
□ Functional success
□ User satisfaction
□ Memory formation