Why do we find certain things beautiful? Is there any formula or shortcut to making a beautiful piece of work, whether it be in art, design, photography, or any other field? We dive into these questions in this week's episode.

In this video, we discuss the neuroscientist Semir Zeki's work and his contributions to neuroesthetics, the empirical study of aesthetics and their effects on our brains. We also dive into the context people bring to their sense of beauty, like the meaning of color, which can differ from culture to culture across the world. We finish up by thinking about the increasing influence of social media on the mass perception of beauty and how it is defined, for better or worse, by popularity metrics.

Watch our video on the golden ratio:    • The Truth Behind the Golden Ratio | S...  

Take Ellen Lupton's class "Demystifying Beauty: Inspiration for Design:" http://skl.sh/sq3el

Start learning more on Skillshare for free now: http://skl.sh/sq3co

Watch Semir Zeki's full Ted Talk:    • The neurobiology of beauty | Semir Ze...  

If you're interested in learning more about art, check out our various courses on the subject on Skillshare, an online learning community for creators. We're on a mission to unlock universal access to learning. For just $8 a month, you can choose from thousands of classes in design, business, photography, and more — and take them anywhere, anytime. Learn, collaborate, and even teach a class of your own.

Credits:
Written by Ashley Dufresne and PJ ScottBlankenship
Animated by Bård Edlund
Narrated and directed by Dave Wiskus
Produced by Ethan Mantel
Additional animation by Josh Sharrington
Audio editing by Graham Hearther
Audio engineering by Jay Pellizzi

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