Aesthetic
Aesthetic refers to the way a fictional world appears or looks. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of color, architecture, fashion, and general design styles that are predominant within a fictional setting or used to support it. Some worlds and genres are more defined by their aesthetic than others. For instance, cyberpunk worlds often incorporate bright neon colors set against a darker general atmosphere while dieselpunk worlds often feature art deco architecture as part of their aesthetic. Aesthetic can be an important choice for worldbuilders as it has a massive impact on the tone of a world and how it is perceived by any potential audience.
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Aesthetic
Just as entire fictional settings can be defined by an overarching aesthetic, individual elements within a world can also feature their own aesthetic. This is done for a variety of reasons, such as distinguishing factions from one another in the establishment of faction identity, or to help set different tones for different regions, territories, or places. However designers should note that incorporating highly clashing aesthetics within a single fictional setting can be jarring.
