Why Do Some Things Just Look So Good? - The Science of Aesthetics
- Andy McIlvain
- Aug 24
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 25
Video from Arteri
Why Do Some Things Just Look So Good? - The Science of Aesthetics
"Have you ever looked at something and thought: Why does this look so good?
Obviously, we all have different tastes, but there’s actual psychology and science behind what makes certain things aesthetic - why some designs feel timeless, why some shapes are universally pleasing, and why some brands (like Porsche and Apple) have basically hacked our brains into loving them.
0:00 Intro 1:40 Why Our Brains Love Certain Shapes 3:32 The Psychology of Design 6:26 The Satisfaction Problem
from the video introduction
That’s such a fascinating question. A lot of it comes down to balance — our brains are wired to recognize symmetry, proportions, and contrasts that feel “right.” The golden ratio, for example, shows up everywhere from classical architecture to modern logos. It’s like when I play Escape Road: the levels that flow cleanly with smooth turns and well-placed obstacles feel better to navigate than the cluttered ones. The design itself creates that sense of satisfaction.