Philosophy Conference Poster
This project involved the design of a promotional poster for Auburn University’s Annual Philosophy Conference centered on the theme “On Beauty.” The poster explores visual strategies to reflect the conference’s central questions: Is beauty valuable because it pleases us, or does it please us because it is already valuable? In what ways is beauty subjective, and in what ways is it objective? The design aims to visually capture the abstract and thought-provoking nature of these discussions, using typography, composition, and imagery to evoke both intellectual curiosity and aesthetic engagement.
On Beauty
Beauty is a characteristic of an animal, idea, object, person or place that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure or satisfaction. Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, culture, social philosophy, philosophy and sociology. An “ideal beauty” is an entity which is admired, or possess features widely attributed to beauty in a particular culture, for perfection. Ugliness is considered to be the opposite of beauty.
The experience of “beauty” often involves an interpretation of some entity as being in balance and harmony with nature, which may lead to feelings of attraction and emotional well-being. Because this can be a subjective experience, it is often said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
There is evidence that perceptions of beauty are evolutionary determined, that things, aspects of people and landscapes considered beautiful are typically found in situations likely to give enhanced survival of the perceiving human’s genes.
Annual Philosophy Conference Objective
Topics of discussion at the conference include but are not limited to: is beauty valuable because it pleases us, or does it please us because it is already considered valuable? In what ways is beauty subjective and in what ways is it objective? What is the relation between art and beauty? Do works of art necessarily aim at being beautiful? Consider what the relation between beauty and other values is, such as moral goodness and truth?
Sarah Hummel Design 