The Aesthetic and the Poietic Elements of Information Design

Abstract

In this paper I address two types of perspectives on the aesthetic that are of relevance for a discussion of contemporary information design. Firstly, the ’aesthetic’ understood as aesthetic perception of beautiful form. Secondly, the ’aesthetic’ recognized as the poietic activity, i.e. the production of an object, in which the recipient also takes part. These perspectives are discussed, in brief, in relation to questions of form and content, and I argue that aesthetic elements in some contemporary information designs cannot be understood as aesthetic perception of beautiful form. The aesthetic is still present, but as poietic, creative, elements. Finally, I discuss the poietic activity in the light of McLaughlin’s Heideggerian view, that the passing on of information is never neutral.