Francisco Platas
Design for Impact: From the Aesthetics of Appearance to the Aesthetics of Care
Abstract
This proposal confronts a central challenge of modern urban life: the drift into an unthinking, anonymous existence. In the rhythm of our consumption habits, and our navigation of public spaces, we often act as "one does," guided by invisible norms and generic designs (Das Man). This passive state erodes our connection to our community, our environment, and our own capacity for meaningful action.
Drawing inspiration from Katia Mandoki's profound work on the "aesthetics of everyday life," we argue that aesthetics is not confined to galleries or haute couture; it is woven into the very fabric of our daily existence (aisthesis—the capacity for sensibility). Our proposal leverages this "prosaic aesthetics" as a tool for social impact. We propose a Design Article to interrupt the trance of Das Man and awaken a sense of Sorge (Care). The impact is a shift in consciousness—from what looks good to what does good.
Design for Impact: From the Aesthetics of Appearance to the Aesthetics of Care
In the rhythm of modern urban life, we face a subtle yet pervasive challenge: the risk of drifting into an unthinking, anonymous existence. Heidegger (1962, §27) describes this as 'standing in subjection [Botmäßigkeit] to others'. We navigate our cities, engage in consumption, and interact in public spaces, all the while being guided by invisible norms and generic designs. Martin Heidegger termed this passive state 'they' (Das Man), describing it as an inauthentic existence where we relinquish our individuality. This erosion of personal agency severs our connection to our community, our environment, and our own capacity for meaningful action. Rather than seeking grand artistic gestures, we must recognize the subtle yet powerful currents within our daily lives.
This article proposes a design philosophy aimed at interrupting the trance of 'they' (Das Man). Drawing inspiration from 'Everyday Aesthetics', we argue that aesthetics is not a luxury confined to galleries, but rather the capacity for sensibility—aisthesis—woven into the fabric of our existence (Mandoki, 2016). By leveraging "prosaic aesthetics", we can design objects, spaces, and systems that awaken a sense of 'care' [Sorge] shifting our collective consciousness from what merely looks good to what actively does good.
'Everyday Aesthetics', or 'Prosaic Aesthetics', posits that our daily activities are filled with significant aesthetic experiences that are directly linked to our sensibility. This is a departure from the traditional view of aesthetics as passive contemplation of 'beautiful' objects. Instead, it is an 'opening of the subject' to the world—a fundamental condition of being alive and receptive to our surroundings. This interaction with the world occurs through constant, often unconscious, aesthetic exchanges.
'Everyday Aesthetics' reveals that every element of our daily environment, from the layout of an office to the design of a public bench, is part of an aesthetic dialogue. All too often, this dialogue reinforces passivity, resulting in 'carceral' educational spaces or homogeneous urban landscapes that discourage critical engagement (Platas, 2024). However, this same aesthetic dialogue can be intentionally designed to encourage "authenticity" [Eigentlichkeit], fostering creativity, critical thinking, and community solidarity.
Transitioning from an unthinking state to one of active care requires a holistic, critical, and complex design approach (Platas & Carreto, 2025). This process mirrors the deep, experiential understanding demanded by phenomenological methods, which emphasize lived experience as the core of reflection. It is the practical application of 'care' [Sorge]—a design and educational process that cares for the community it serves.
A design informed by prosaic aesthetics can consciously interrupt the passive existence of 'they' [Das Man]. Rather than creating spaces and objects that encourage mindless consumption, we can design for mindful interaction. This involves moving beyond a purely functional or visual focus to consider the entire range of aesthetic interaction (Platas & Carranco, 2020).
In what ways can the layout of a public park encourage or discourage community gatherings? How can the design of a product encourage users to care for it rather than dispose of it? What is the sonic identity of a neighborhood, and how does it affect its inhabitants' well-being? By asking such questions, designers can utilize the 'Registers' of 'Rhetoric' and the 'Modalities' of 'Dramatic' to foster a deeper connection between people and their environment (Mandoki, 2016).
The ultimate result is a profound shift in consciousness. When objects and spaces are designed based on people's needs rather than the designer's, they inspire us to take 'care' [Sorge] of them in return. This approach transforms design from a discipline concerned with appearance into a practice of social and environmental intervention. By consciously shaping the aesthetics of everyday life, we can awaken individuals from the slumber of 'Das Man' and cultivate a world in which our actions are guided by an authentic sense of 'care' [Sorge] for ourselves, our communities, and our shared world, rather than by anonymous norms. The goal is no longer just to create something that looks good, but to create something that does good.
References
Heidegger, M. (1962). Being and Time (J. Macquarrie & E. Robinson, Trans.).
Mandoki, K. (2016). Everyday aesthetics: Prosaics, the play of culture and social identities. Routledge.
Platas, F. (2024). Aísthêsis es vida: Una aproximación “estética prosaica” a la escatología ante las primeras amenazas de prevalencia de la Ciudad de México. Metaxy Journal, 4(speciale), 317–341. https://metaxyjournal.com/index.php/metaxy/article/view/51
Platas, F., & Carranco, A. (2020). La enseñanza de la estética de la vida cotidiana, en las disciplinas proyectuales del diseño, como un acercamiento al concepto fenomenológico de “vida auténtica”. In F. C. Bernal & C. J. Garcés (Eds.), Perspectivas disciplinarias en la investigación educativa. UAEMéx-AM Editores. https://www.academia.edu/127503842/Platas_F_Carranco_A_2020_La_ense%C3%B1anza_de_la_est%C3%A9tica_de_la_vida_cotidiana_en_las_disciplinas_proyectuales
Platas, F., & Carreto, F. (2025). Transformative Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives by Autonomous University of the State of Mexico: Advancing Education and Diminishing Inequalities in Latin America. In Green Metric in Higher Education- Measuring and Reporting on Sustainability Initiatives at Higher Education Institutions (pp. 1–21). Springer.