Pertaining to the appreciation of beauty or good taste, "aesthetic" (adjective) means visually pleasing. The corresponding noun is "aesthetics," which means the study of the appreciation of beauty or how we perceive beauty. This study is considered important enough to constitute a branch of philosophy.
Terms Related to "Aesthetic":
- Aesthetician
- Anesthetic
While the connection of the first term (which means a licensed skincare specialist) to "aesthetic" is straightforward enough, it will not be so clear to many how the words "aesthetic" and "anesthetic" are related. The prefix an- means "without" or "not" in Greek. When you're anesthetized, your ability to perceive or to feel is (intentionally) impaired.
Landscape design is concerned both with aesthetic and functional elements of landscaping.
Where landscape design is concerned with aesthetics, the terminology used is somewhat similar to that employed in the art world. For example, browse some of the resources I offer in the following article:
You'll see that I discuss, in those resources, topics such as color theory, form and texture, the role of focal points, what terms such as "line" and "scale" mean, etc.
One of the great aesthetic debates the last few centuries between gardeners has been that between the informal and formal garden design schools. The latter prefers symmetry, tight structure and orderliness. A classic look in a formal garden design is a hedge, neatly manicured, consisting of English boxwood. Such a hedge may serve as a divider between planting areas, a firm indicator of demarcation.
By contrast, those whose aesthetic tastes lean toward informal garden design may be drawn to cottage gardens, marked by a wild riot of color and a disdain for obvious organization.
