Short answer

Consider how your design can celebrate the ordinary and the familiar, creating resonance and community through shared, everyday experiences rather than solely aiming for the extraordinary.

Field: Classic Design
Source: Journal of Victorian Culture (2023)
Method: Conceptual analysis and comparative critique
Evidence: Moderate effect

Designers can find aesthetic value and foster a sense of community by focusing on the common, the everyday, and the 'middleness' of experience, rather than solely pursuing the extraordinary or the 'interesting'. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Journal of Victorian Culture. Using Conceptual analysis and comparative critique, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Consider how your design can celebrate the ordinary and the familiar, creating resonance and community through shared, everyday experiences rather than solely aiming for the extraordinary.

Study

Classic DesignRecentModerate effect

The Aesthetics of 'Middleness' Elevate the Ordinary in Design

Journal of Victorian Culture · 2023

Key Findings

01Provincial fiction established an aesthetic of 'middleness' by focusing evaluative judgment on the social, cultural, and geographical middle.
02This aesthetic valued the common and the dull, offering an alternative to the pursuit of the 'interesting' or the globally standardized 'best.'
03The embrace of 'middleness' fostered a different sort of aesthetic community, grounded in shared attention to everyday life.

Application

Design takeaway

Consider how your design can celebrate the ordinary and the familiar, creating resonance and community through shared, everyday experiences rather than solely aiming for the extraordinary.

How to apply

When designing everyday objects or services, analyze their current form and function for opportunities to subtly enhance their familiarity and comfort, rather than introducing radical changes.

Project actions

01When researching existing products, look for common features and user habits that could be refined or celebrated.
02Consider how a design can evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort, rather than just novelty.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can the aesthetic principles derived from the 'middleness' found in provincial fiction inform contemporary design practice to create more inclusive and relatable experiences?

MethodConceptual analysis and comparative critique

ProcedureThe research analyzes the literary movement of provincial fiction in 19th-century Britain, specifically examining works by Elizabeth Gaskell and George Eliot, to identify an 'aesthetics of middleness.' This aesthetic is contrasted with contemporary critiques of provincialism and theories of the 'interesting,' ultimately proposing a framework for valuing the common and the dull in aesthetic judgment.

ContextLiterary criticism and cultural studies, with implications for design aesthetics.

Variables

IVDesign approach (focus on novelty vs. focus on 'middleness')

DVUser perception of aesthetic appeal, relatability, and emotional connection

CVProduct category, target user demographic, functional requirements

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a novel perspective on design aesthetics beyond the pursuit of the 'interesting' or 'sublime'.
+Offers a framework for creating more inclusive and relatable design experiences.

Limitations

It can be challenging to objectively measure 'middleness' or 'familiarity' in design, and what is considered 'ordinary' can vary significantly between user groups.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be improved by using standardized rating scales for user feedback. Validity is enhanced by ensuring the 'middleness' modifications are clearly defined and distinct from radical changes.

Think critically

If the 'aesthetics of middleness' values the common and the dull, how can designers avoid creating designs that are merely uninspired or forgettable, while still capturing this aesthetic?

Design Principles

"Embrace the 'aesthetics of middleness' by finding value and beauty in the common, the familiar, and the everyday aspects of user experience."

This perspective challenges the conventional pursuit of novelty and the sublime in design. By embracing the aesthetics of 'middleness,' designers can create products and experiences that resonate more deeply with a broader audience, fostering a sense of shared understanding and appreciation for the ordinary aspects of life.

What This Means for Your Design

Sometimes, the best designs aren't the flashiest or newest. They're the ones that feel comfortable and familiar, like things we see and use every day. This idea, called 'middleness,' suggests that focusing on these ordinary things can create a special kind of beauty and connection for people.

How to use in your project

1.In your design project, you can reference this insight when justifying design choices that prioritize familiarity, comfort, or refinement of existing concepts over radical innovation.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The concept of an 'aesthetics of middleness,' as explored in literary criticism, suggests that focusing on the common and the everyday can foster a unique form of aesthetic appreciation and community. This principle can be applied to design by intentionally refining familiar forms and functions, creating products that resonate through their relatable qualities rather than solely through novelty, thereby enhancing user connection and belonging.

Source

Journal of Victorian Culture

Middleness: Provincial Fiction and the Aesthetics of Dull Life

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about the aesthetics of 'middleness' elevate the ordinary in design?: Consider how your design can celebrate the ordinary and the familiar, creating resonance and community through shared, everyday experiences rather than solely aiming for the extraordinary. Evidence: Journal of Victorian Culture (2023).
Why does "The Aesthetics of 'Middleness' Elevate the Ordinary in Design" matter for design?: This perspective challenges the conventional pursuit of novelty and the sublime in design. By embracing the aesthetics of 'middleness,' designers can create products and experiences that resonate more deeply with a broader audience, fostering a sense of shared understanding and appreciation for the ordinary aspects of life.
How can designers apply this research?: Consider how your design can celebrate the ordinary and the familiar, creating resonance and community through shared, everyday experiences rather than solely aiming for the extraordinary.
What were the main findings?: Provincial fiction established an aesthetic of 'middleness' by focusing evaluative judgment on the social, cultural, and geographical middle.. This aesthetic valued the common and the dull, offering an alternative to the pursuit of the 'interesting' or the globally standardized 'best.'. The embrace of 'middleness' fostered a different sort of aesthetic community, grounded in shared attention to everyday life.
What research method was used?: Conceptual analysis and comparative critique.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Journal of Victorian Culture.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing everyday objects or services, analyze their current form and function for opportunities to subtly enhance their familiarity and comfort, rather than introducing radical changes.
What are the limitations?: The direct translation of literary aesthetics to tangible product design requires careful consideration of material, form, and function.