Design Principles

noun a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty

• The architect carefully considered the building's aesthetics when designing the facade.
• I love the aesthetics of this coffee shop, it's so cozy and inviting.
• That outfit is giving off major aesthetics, you look so cool!
• The aesthetics of her poetry transport the reader to another world.

adjective showing creative skill or taste; cleverly deceptive or cunning

• The artist's work was praised for its artful composition and attention to detail.
• She's an artful painter, always coming up with creative and unique designs.
• That street artist is seriously artful with their graffiti skills.
• His artful way of dodging questions during the interview was impressive.

noun the quality of being artful; cunning or craftiness

• The artist's work showcased a high level of artfulness in every brushstroke.
• She used her artfulness to create a beautiful masterpiece.
• His artfulness was off the charts when it came to graffiti.
• The politician's speech was filled with artfulness as he tried to deceive the public.

noun a printed or written advertisement, letter, or document distributed to a large number of people

adjective relating to or forming a circle; round in shape

• The circular motion of the planets around the sun is a key aspect of our solar system.
• Can you pass me that circular plate over there?
• I love wearing my circular shades when I go to the beach.
• The circular nature of life's ups and downs is both frustrating and fascinating.

verb engage in a physical conflict or argument

adjective conflicting or contrasting in a noticeable or striking way

• The clashing of opposing ideologies led to heated debates within the political party.
• The clashing between the two teams resulted in a lot of tension on the field.
• Their clashing personalities made it hard for them to get along.
• The clashing colors in the painting created a dynamic and vibrant composition.

noun A clean cut can also refer to a sharp, precise incision or wound.

adjective A clean cut refers to a neat and precise appearance or style.

• The man had a clean-cut appearance with neatly groomed hair and a pressed suit.
• I like your clean-cut look with the fresh haircut and clean-shaven face.
• That guy is always so clean-cut, he must spend hours in front of the mirror.
• Her clean-cut approach to problem-solving always ensures efficient and effective solutions.

noun the quality or state of being in agreement or harmony

• The congruity between the company's mission statement and its actions is commendable.
• There is a lack of congruity between what he says and what he does.
• I can't believe the congruity of her outfit, it's on point!
• In the painting, the artist used congruity of colors to create a sense of harmony.

noun special importance, value, or prominence given to something

verb to give special importance or value to something

• The professor placed great emphasis on the importance of citing sources in academic writing.
• She really stressed the need to double-check our work before submitting it.
• He kept hammering home the point about the need for teamwork in the project.
• The artist used bold colors to add emphasis to the focal point of the painting.

adjective used to describe something as excellent or outstanding

• The designer showcased a fab collection at the fashion show.
• I just bought this fab dress for the party tonight.
• That new restaurant in town is absolutely fab!
• His storytelling skills are fab, he always keeps the audience engaged.

noun a flat surface or area

adjective having a level surface; without raised areas or indentations

adverb in a flat manner; level with the ground

• The apartment for rent is a spacious flat located in the city center.
• I love my new flat, it's so cozy and comfortable.
• Let's hang out at my flat later, we can order some pizza.
• Her voice fell flat during the presentation, lacking emotion and enthusiasm.

adjective characterized by bends or curves; winding or sinuous

• The flexuous path through the forest was a challenge to navigate.
• The flexuous road to the beach is full of twists and turns.
• I took the flexuous route to avoid traffic on the highway.
• Her flexuous reasoning led her to a surprising conclusion.

adjective describing something that is in agreement or harmony; peaceful and balanced

• The orchestra played a harmonious symphony that captivated the audience.
• Their voices blended together in a harmonious melody during the karaoke session.
• The group of friends had a harmonious vibe going on at the party.
• The colors in the painting created a harmonious balance that was pleasing to the eye.

verb to provide visual representation or examples in order to make something clear or understandable

• The professor used a graph to illustrate the correlation between temperature and ice melting.
• Let me draw a quick diagram to illustrate how the software works.
• I'll sketch it out to illustrate what I mean.
• The artist used vibrant colors to illustrate the emotions of the painting.

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, and forming the main part of the predicate of a sentence

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• In keeping with company policy, all employees are required to attend the annual training seminar.
• We should decorate the office in keeping with the holiday spirit.
• Let's dress in keeping with the latest fashion trends.
• His actions were not in keeping with his usual behavior.

adjective not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; not in agreement or consistent with something else

• The incongruous mix of modern art and classical architecture was jarring to the eye.
• It was so incongruous to see him in a suit and flip flops.
• The party had an incongruous vibe, like mixing oil and water.
• Her cheerful demeanor seemed incongruous with the somber news she delivered.

adjective having a curved or bent inward shape

• The incurved design of the building's facade was inspired by classical architecture.
• The vase had an incurved shape that made it unique.
• Check out the new skateboard with the cool incurved deck.
• Her incurved smile hinted at a hidden sadness beneath the surface.

adjective not elegant; lacking in refinement or grace

• The design of the building was considered inelegant by the architect.
• Her outfit looked a bit inelegant for the formal event.
• That dance move was so inelegant, it was hilarious!
• His speech was inelegant, lacking the finesse of a seasoned orator.

noun a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation that justifies or defends

verb to show or prove to be right or reasonable

adjective having a valid reason or explanation

• It is important to justify your reasoning with concrete evidence.
• Can you justify why you need to leave work early?
• I gotta justify my purchase of these new sneakers to my parents.
• Sometimes it's hard to justify our actions in hindsight.

verb to place or position side by side for comparison or contrast

• The two paintings were juxtaposed in the art gallery for comparison.
• I like how the two photos are juxtaposed on your Instagram feed.
• The music video juxtaposed scenes of the city with shots of the artist performing.
• Her calm demeanor was juxtaposed with the chaos of the situation.

adjective relating to or characterized by juxtaposition, the act or placement of two things (usually abstract concepts) near each other

• The artist's use of juxtapositional elements in her paintings creates a thought-provoking contrast.
• I love how the movie used juxtapositional scenes to keep the audience engaged.
• The TikTok video was so cool with all the juxtapositional edits.
• The juxtapositional relationship between light and dark in the photograph symbolizes the duality of human nature.

noun a touch that is gentle or delicate

adjective describing the type of touch as gentle or delicate

• The artist applied a light touch to the delicate painting, ensuring not to damage the intricate details.
• When giving a massage, remember to use a light touch on the sensitive areas.
• She gave the car a light touch with the sponge to clean off the dirt.
• His words had a light touch, gently guiding her towards a decision without being forceful.

adjective apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity

• The meretricious nature of the advertisement was evident in its exaggerated claims.
• She was tired of his meretricious compliments that never seemed genuine.
• I can't stand people who act all meretricious just to impress others.
• The painting's meretricious beauty failed to capture the true essence of the artist's emotions.

noun a photograph or picture developed or executed in black and white or in varying tones of only one color

adjective containing or using only one color or shades of one color

• The artist decided to paint the entire room in monochrome tones to create a minimalist look.
• I love wearing monochrome outfits because they are so easy to put together.
• That monochrome filter on Instagram makes everything look so cool.
• Her life felt like a monochrome painting until she discovered her passion for photography.

noun a nonrepresentational work of art

adjective not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; unbiased

• The artist's nonobjective paintings were displayed in the gallery.
• I don't really understand nonobjective art, but it looks cool.
• Some people think nonobjective art is just a bunch of random shapes.
• Her nonobjective approach to problem-solving led to innovative solutions.

noun the quality or state of being opaque, or not allowing light to pass through

adjective opaque, not transparent or translucent

• The opacity of the glass blocks out most of the sunlight.
• I can't see through the opacity of this window.
• The opacity of her excuse was so obvious.
• The opacity of his emotions made it hard to understand how he truly felt.

adjective describing something that lacks order or organization

• The orderless stack of papers on the desk needs to be organized.
• I can't find anything in this orderless mess!
• Her room is so orderless, it's like a tornado went through it.
• His thoughts were orderless, jumping from one idea to the next without any coherence.

verb present participle of the verb 'please'

adjective giving pleasure or satisfaction; enjoyable

• The final presentation was very pleasing to the board of directors.
• I find the new movie very pleasing to watch.
• That new song is so pleasing, it's on repeat all day.
• Her words were like a pleasing melody to his ears.

adjective having or exhibiting a variety of colors

• The artist used a polychromatic palette to create a vibrant and colorful masterpiece.
• I love how the polychromatic design of the room adds a fun pop of color.
• That polychromatic outfit is so on point, you're definitely turning heads.
• Her personality is just as polychromatic as her artwork, full of diverse and vibrant traits.

noun a parallelogram with opposite equal acute angles, opposite equal obtuse angles, and four equal sides

• The rhomboid muscle is located in the upper back and helps with shoulder movement.
• I can feel my rhomboid muscle getting sore from all the heavy lifting.
• I need to work on my rhomboids at the gym to get that V-shape back.
• Her rhomboid personality traits make her stand out from the crowd.

verb to carve, shape, or create a sculpture or artwork

• The artist used a chisel to sculpt the marble into a beautiful statue.
• I'm thinking about taking a sculpting class to learn how to make cool sculptures.
• Check out the amazing sculptures that dude can sculpt out of wood!
• She was able to sculpt a path for herself in the competitive world of business.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'simple' describes something that is easy to understand or do

• The solution to the problem is quite simple and straightforward.
• Just follow these simple steps to fix it.
• It's a piece of cake, just do the simple thing.
• Sometimes the simplest answer is the best one.

verb to make something easier to understand or do by reducing or removing unnecessary complexity

• It is important to simplify complex processes in order to improve efficiency.
• Let's simplify this task so it's easier to understand.
• Just simplify it, don't overcomplicate things.
• Sometimes we need to simplify our lives in order to find true happiness.

adjective describing something that is not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion; enduring or long-lasting

• The design of the building is truly timeless, showcasing a perfect blend of classic and modern elements.
• I love how this song has a timeless quality to it, never getting old no matter how many times I listen to it.
• That jacket is so timeless, you can wear it with anything and still look cool.
• The story's message about love and forgiveness is truly timeless, resonating with people from all walks of life.

adjective not pleasing in appearance; lacking in beauty or attractiveness

• The unaesthetic design of the building was met with criticism from architectural experts.
• I find that painting to be unaesthetic, it just doesn't appeal to me.
• That outfit is so unaesthetic, you should definitely change before going out.
• The unaesthetic nature of his words left a bitter taste in my mouth.

adjective Not conspicuous or attracting attention; inconspicuous.

• The unobtrusive design of the new building blends seamlessly with the surrounding architecture.
• I appreciate how unobtrusive the waiter was during our meal, never interrupting our conversation.
• I like how the security guard was unobtrusive, just chillin' in the corner and not bothering anyone.
• Her unobtrusive presence at the party went unnoticed by most, but she was quietly observing everything happening around her.

noun a thing that is seen, especially something unusual or shocking

adjective relating to sight or seeing

• The company hired a visual designer to create a new logo for their website.
• I love watching visual effects in action movies.
• That new video game has some sick visuals.
• The artist used vivid colors to create a visual representation of her emotions.

noun a French culinary term meaning 'put in place'; refers to the practice of gathering and organizing all ingredients and tools needed for a recipe before starting to cook

• The chef emphasized the importance of mise en place before starting the cooking process.
• Make sure you have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
• Don't forget to get your stuff together before you begin cooking.
• In life, having a good mise en place can help you stay organized and efficient in achieving your goals.

noun a set of rules for writing and designing documents for a particular organization or publication

• The architect designed the house style to blend in with the surrounding historical buildings.
• I love the house style of that cozy cottage with the white picket fence.
• Check out the cool house style of that new pad down the block.
• Her fashion sense is definitely house style - classic and timeless.

noun a Swedish word meaning 'just the right amount' or 'in moderation'

• The concept of lagom is deeply ingrained in Swedish culture, emphasizing moderation and balance in all aspects of life.
• In Sweden, people often use the word lagom to describe something that is just right or perfectly balanced.
• I like to keep things lagom - not too much, not too little, just the right amount.
• Finding the lagom in life can lead to a sense of contentment and harmony.

noun the quality or state of being monochromatic, having only one color

adjective relating to or characterized by monochromality

• The artist's use of monochromality in his paintings created a sense of unity and simplicity.
• I love the monochromality of your outfit, it's so chic!
• That monochromality vibe is really working for you.
• The monochromality of the room gave it a calming and peaceful atmosphere.

noun a form of paper art that involves cutting and folding paper to create intricate designs

• The art of kirigami involves intricate paper cutting to create beautiful designs.
• I tried my hand at kirigami and ended up with a pretty cool paper snowflake.
• Kirigami is like origami, but with scissors involved.
• Her mind was a complex web of thoughts, much like a kirigami masterpiece.

adjective relating to architecture or architectural principles

• The architectonic design of the new museum is truly impressive.
• I love how the architectonic style of that building looks.
• That architectonic building is so cool!
• Her mind was like an architectonic structure, organized and precise.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

• The artist carefully blended different shades to create an advancing color effect in the painting.
• I love how the advancing color of the sunset reflects off the water.
• Check out the advancing color on that car, it's so cool!
• The advancing color of her personality brightened up the room wherever she went.

adverb relating to the appreciation of beauty or good taste

• The architect designed the building to be aesthetically pleasing while also being functional.
• I love how aesthetically pleasing this room is with all the colorful decorations.
• That outfit is so on point, it's aesthetically fire!
• Her words were like a beautifully crafted poem, aesthetically pleasing to the ears.

verb to make something more aesthetically pleasing or beautiful

• The artist aestheticized the mundane objects, turning them into beautiful works of art.
• She really knows how to aestheticize her Instagram feed with perfectly curated photos.
• That new clothing line really aestheticized streetwear fashion.
• The author's use of vivid imagery aestheticized the reader's imagination.

noun a quality or feature of an object that allows it to be used in a particular way or for a particular purpose

• The design of the new software takes into consideration the affordances of the user interface.
• Make sure you understand the affordances of the new app before using it.
• I can't figure out the affordances of this website, it's so confusing.
• The affordances of the situation allowed for a smooth transition to the new management team.

noun Aflow does not have a definition as a noun.

verb To flow or move in a smooth and continuous way.

adverb Aflow does not have a definition as an adverb.

• The river was aflow with crystal clear water.
• The music festival was aflow with energy and excitement.
• The party was aflow with good vibes all night long.
• Her creativity was aflow, leading to a burst of new ideas.