Comparative Study on Visual Preferences of General Audiences in Architectural and Art Styles from an Aesthetical Point of View

Nasehi, Seyed Alireza; Mahmoudi Zarandi, Mahnaz; Zabihi, Hossein

doi:10.22034/aaud.2024.298544.2525

Comparative Study on Visual Preferences of General Audiences in Architectural and Art Styles from an Aesthetical Point of View

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyed Alireza Nasehi ¹

Mahnaz Mahmoudi Zarandi ²

Hossein Zabihi ³

¹ Ph.D. in Architecture, Architecture Department, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Architecture Department, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author).

³ Associate Professor, Department of Urban Development, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/aaud.2024.298544.2525

Abstract

These are the main analyses of aesthetic criteria and their factors in architecture and art. These viewpoints have been defined in the frame of theory and stylist statements. Classification of geometric features and visual compositions of architectural and art styles allow us to identify elements affecting beauty perception. In addition to theoretical analyses and stylistic theories, the outcome of various artistic and architectural styles must be assessed in a general judgment. The stylistic basic and aesthetical theories can be verified in this assessment. Moreover, visual preferences from the viewpoint of untrained audiences are determined by architects and designers. The factors defined as aesthetic criteria in the opinion of professional artists and architects must be ultimately judged by the public. Hence, principles and features of various architectural and art styles were reviewed as research background, and then one hundred students unrelated to artistic and architectural disciplines were selected to be tested randomly. In this test, images of some landmarks (famous monuments) with different architectural styles were judged by the participants. The results were analyzed statistically. The visual preferences of men and women were compared, and results indicated many different aesthetical preferences between them. However, most audiences showed more tendency towards folding, organic, and sculptural styles, respectively. The most outstanding effective visual characteristics included curved lines and surfaces, flexible and fluid forms, legibility, integrity and unity in details, balance, integration with nature and naturalism, proportion, and harmony. These characteristics are inclusive and independent of stylistic divisions.

Keywords

Visual Preferences

Architectural and Art Styles

Nonprofessional Audiences

Aesthetics

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