A Proposal for An Aesthetics of Engagement in Intelligent Environments

This proposal concerns design methods for aesthetic user experiences in intelligent environments by drawing upon over twenty years of practice as an installation artist and digital designer. This paper sets out the case for a ‘systems aesthetic’ approach to the multidisciplinary field of designing intelligent environments, though anchored in the ‘thorny issue of aesthetics’, anchored in subjectivity, all art, performance, and creative work are expressly designed to address subjectivities and all artists’ works go some way towards ‘predicting spectators' reactions, influencing and affecting ‘peoples' views, mind, life, and the future’ by means of aesthetic engagement. In the most engaging work, art practice and creative processes are strategic, refined and focused even if not entirely tangible. Key concepts from art and design theory can help us apprehend these practices and are some are integrated here. Indeed, in the commercial practices of marketing & advertising we can perceive a causal link between design, engagement in aesthetics and future behaviors. This proposal argues that ‘to positively and therapeutically influence users’ life style, health, and spirit’ we must do it by creative design.