Internet Aesthetics[]
Aesthetics are an internet phenomenon wherein a person with a social media account (such as on tumblr and Pinterest), reblogs/posts images, music, videos, and/or snippets of text on their digital space for the purpose of creating/conveying a mood centering around concepts and things the collector considers visually appealing. These aesthetics include various subjects, such as art, photography, fashion, settings, works of media, people, hobbies, habits, objects, quotes, etc. Often, people create moodboards, tiktoks, edits, niche memes, and playlists for the aesthetic.
These do not have to be carried out in real life, and there is often an element of wish-fulfillment, nostalgia, or escapism with internet aesthetics. However, people can carry out their aesthetic in real life through fashion, home decor, and participating in certain hobbies or activities. Because of this, some of the more popular and attainable aesthetics can be considered subcultures, such as with Cottagecore.
Design Aesthetics[]
Similarities in interior, product, and graphic design. These are always created and pushed forward by design authorities such as companies, magazines, and professionals, rather than non-professional people in subcultures or the Internet. The designs are expressed through advertisement, products, and lifestyle. These are largely dependent on trends and cater to a certain audience, which may or may not create a subculture (ex: Y2K Futurism, Shabby Chic).
Fashion Styles & Subcultures[]
Similarities in fashion, such as in textures, connotations, silhouettes, etc. This can be mainstream or alternative. People interested in different fashions create communities and bond through the clothing itself. Shopping and making outfits is the primary activity of the blog, with brands and bloggers have a large influence on the aesthetic. Pages in this category include aesthetics where fashion is the main, and often only, point of discussion, but interior design often crosses over too. Like subcultures, these are in "real life," with wearing the fashion out being mandatory to participate. (Ex: Lolita, Techwear)
Subcultures & Stereotypes[]
Subcultures and stereotypes include "types" of people that have similar interests, such as in fashion, music, activities, and even personalities. This is carried out in real life, almost always affecting social circles and how others perceive the person in the subculture. Unlike the internet aesthetic category, some people here often are not purposefully trying to look a certain way or enjoy the culture through an aesthetic lens. For example, geeks don't have geek aesthetic blogs or try to mimic the aesthetic of a piece of media. The pages here also include some music, fashion, and aesthetic communities because of the strong overlap with the definition, but music-based subcultures are a different category.
This category also includes stereotypes, which, unlike subcultures, are often mainstream. These are commented on by others not of that stereotype; the conception of Jocks are an example. A good litmus test is if there is a "starter pack" made of this type of person. Many included here are ephemeral trends and can/did die out; a stereotype/subculture is not necessarily based on longevity.
Genre Fiction[]
These aesthetics come from genres of books, movies, TV shows, and other media. They have associated tropes, settings, character types (see below), and plot lines. (Ex: Cyberpunk, Gothic)
Art History Periods and Movements[]
Periods and movements of art history where artists have a similar ethos and artistic technique. It can cross over with historical eras, but later, art became separate from mass culture. (Ex: De Stijl, Pre-Raphaelite)
Historical Eras and Events[]
Periods of history and different historical events where there were commonalities in political and philosophical systems, zeitgeists, art and architecture, fashion, etc. (Ex: Trenchcore (WWI), 1950s Suburbia)
Locations & Settings[]
Different places with expected activities, components, and types of people. This category also includes specific situations during a specific time period, including fictional ones, such as "Victorian London" or "Utopian Spaceship." The pages in this category should be an actual location, not a type of person/community.
Character Trope[]
Individual character types in fiction with associated tropes such as visual appearance, personality, and setting. These can cross over with stereotypes, as fiction often depicts people in a subculture as a trope of a certain genre. (Ex: Vampire, Yandere)
Music Genres, Videos, and Communities[]
Music genres with shared visuals, such as in cover art, music videos, and community culture. Often, some music communities include fashion and activities modeled by the music and bands, hence the crossover with subcultures and stereotypes. (Ex: Goth, Grunge) Included here are also music video aesthetics, which includes commonalities in visuals exclusive to music videos.
Seasonal[]
Different times of the year, such as seasons and holidays with associated visual motifs and activities. (Ex: Autumn, Christmas)
National Cultures[]
The art, fashion, music, foods, monuments, etc. of a national culture. These pages need to be in-depth and respectful, hence the few pages. For more information on the rules of national culture pages, click here.
Single-Subject Aesthetics[]
A single-subject aesthetic is an aesthetic that revolves entirely around a single visual, with little or no other visuals on the blog/moodboard. For example, while Cottagecore includes images of pies, animals, flowers, and cottages, Cloudcore is pictures of clouds and cloud depictions such as in illustration and embroidery. Images are often tagged as (the subject)core because it provides an easy way for searching aesthetic pictures of the subject, rather than images that are for the purpose of information, humor, advertising, etc.
The wiki does not allow whole pages for single-subject aesthetics because the article quality tends to be extremely low and images can be disparate. For example, "Catcore" cannot be an aesthetic because a cat in a field of flowers contently smiling is Cottagecore, whereas a black cat in a crumbling castle is Gothic. However, both are Catcore, technically. Therefore, the pages are often low-quality. That being said, many single-subject aesthetics have become extremely popular, making it necessary for the wiki to document them.
Memes[]
Meme-based aesthetics refer to a style or trend in visual design that draws inspiration from internet memes and viral culture. It's a type of aesthetic that incorporates elements of humor, irony, and absurdity into its design. This style of aesthetic is often characterized by the use of bold colors, pixelated graphics, and images that have become popular through social media and internet culture (ex. Wormcore, Surreal Memer).