Beauty Is, Mostly, in the Eye of the Beholder
A new analysis finds a few widely shared aesthetic preferences, and a whole lot of individual and cultural variation.
Aesthetics
What Makes a Poem Really Pop?
New research suggests vivid imagery is key to poetry's aesthetic appeal.
You May Be a Musician and Not Even Know It
New research finds a link between personality and musical ability.
Study: Art Museums Foster Appreciation for Ambiguity
New research from Vienna finds viewing artworks in a museum enhances the aesthetic experience.
Artists Working Solo Create the Finest Work
New research suggests we consider the amount of effort that goes into making a work of art when we're evaluating it—and take off points for collaborations.
Study: Eccentricity of Artists Boosts Appreciation of Their Art
From Vincent Van Gogh to Lady Gaga, we tend to like artists’ work more if we perceive them as idiosyncratic.
Mapping the Brain’s Response to Art
New research finds a brain network linked to solitary introspection gets switched on when we encounter particularly moving artworks.
Study: Stimulating the Brain Can Increase Appreciation for Art
New research finds stimulating a specific part of the brain can increase appreciation of certain types of art.
Every Baby’s a Critic: Tots Drawn to Complex Art
New research suggests some of our aesthetic preferences emerge by the time we're eight months old.
Portraits Can Get Your Pulse Pounding
New research recording physiological reactions of museum-goers suggests we respond to art with our bodies as well as our brains.
Design for Impact and Emotion
Two recent design international conferences exult in the future of design, which can be harnessed to solve social problems as well as sell mobile phones.
Study Finds Cute Cars Recall Baby's Face
Cars that share the general traits of a baby's face trigger the 'Isn't it cute' response in consumers.
Store's Lighting Influences Perceptions of Quality
Researchers report that different lighting schemes at stores influences consumer perceptions of the outlet's quality and pricing.
Hotel Guests Become Pawns in LED Lighting Design
When simple things like turning on the lights become too complex, Philips designers decided it was time for them to make a move.
How Urban Planning Can Improve Public Health
A growing movement looks to change development patterns — as a matter of public health.
Modern Art More Likely to Stir the Heart
Why do people visit art museums? The answer depends on the type of art on display.
The Nature of Design
Biophilic concepts are gradually working their way into the design mainstream, helping humans thrive by bringing the outdoors in.
Workplace Serenity Is Just a Poster Away
Art posters on the walls of an office lower both the anger and stress levels of men but don't seem to have the same effect on women, according to new research.