Smart Solutions, “Smart Aesthetics”?

Abstract

Smartness is generating several new contentions in terms of pragmatic aesthetics and interaction design, stimulating a debate on how design and advanced technologies can impact on reshaping human lives and behaviors. Many issues are currently arising not just in relation to the appearance of smart objects or spaces, but also in terms of relational communication, pleasurable experiences, and perception. It’s time to think of what will rule the aesthetic of this new artificial. Thanks to tangible examples of smart furniture, including prototypes and concepts at a very experimental stage, the analysis will help to zoom on Next Design Aesthetics, also based on the methodologies applied while delivering a course on Smart Solutions for domestic environments within a Design School. However, the chosen examples will support our assumptions, clarifying how technology should be increasingly integrated in contemporary lifestyle, though never overhanging human nature.