Productivity's worth lies in its aesthetic appeal.

Productivity's worth lies in its aesthetic appeal.

In the heart of Seoul, South Korea, Aditya Shukla, a renowned psychology SME consultant in EdTech with a focus on AI cognition and Behavioral Engineering, is currently immersed in the study of Korean at Seoul National University. His diverse interests span across Sci-fi, horror media, rock, metal, synthwave, and K-pop music.

Shukla's latest claim has stirred a wave in the industry: beauty in work output can fetch more money than perfectly acceptable deliverables without beauty. This bold assertion is backed by his extensive academic background, which includes studies at prestigious institutions such as NIMHANS Bangalore, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Fergusson College, and an affiliation with IIM Ahmedabad.

The new heuristic for evaluating the quality of work, according to Shukla, is beauty and elegance. This shift in perspective is necessitated by the democratization of knowledge and the speed at which tasks are completed with AI tools, making it essential for economic systems to find a new variable to use as a metric for value.

The article outlining this concept has been referenced and featured in various reputable publications such as the New York Times, Forbes, CNET, and Entrepreneur.

So, how can one make work output more valuable by focusing on beauty and aesthetics? Shukla proposes several key ways:

1. Infuse different forms of beauty into your work. Break traditional rules with artistic creativity, incorporate empathetic elements for ethical beauty, and present elegant, clever solutions exemplifying cognitive beauty. Even embracing imperfections can add organic appeal and originality.
2. Apply design thinking principles such as empathy, collaboration, and user-centered problem solving to make outputs not only functional but also meaningful and visually pleasing. This leads to faster idea development, better alignment, and results that are more user-focused, increasing the perceived value.
3. Leverage narratives and storytelling to build cohesion and emotional connection, which enhances the aesthetic experience and makes the work memorable and valuable.
4. Focus on simplicity and ease of understanding—psychological research shows that things easier to process are often perceived as more beautiful and valuable.
5. Consider beauty as a leadership and cultural tool, where awe and beauty elevate thinking, trust, creativity, and ethical considerations within teams and workplaces, thereby amplifying the overall value and impact of the work output.

In summary, valuing beauty and aesthetics holistically—through artistic design, empathy, storytelling, elegant solutions, and emotional resonance—raises the worth of your work beyond mere functionality, making it stand out and command greater appreciation from users and stakeholders. Implementing design thinking frameworks helps embed these aesthetic values systematically into your projects.

Moreover, the concept of "pretty privilege" or "beauty premium" extends to beauty in skill, products, and productivity. Humans have a visual precedence, meaning visual information is prioritized and evaluated faster and more deeply. Therefore, it is recommended to ask oneself, "Is there any beauty in it?" before delivering work.

Shukla, based in Pune, India but currently living in Seoul, South Korea, encourages us to make work beautiful and to highlight any beauty in work deliverables to the one who pays. If any of these beauties exist in your work, your work will command more value.

1. Incorporating artistic creativity and empathetic elements in his work, Shukla advocates for cognitive beauty, which showcases intelligent, clever solutions.
2. Believing that beauty can impact mental health and productivity, Shukla suggests adopting design thinking principles that foster empathy, collaboration, and user-centered problem-solving.
3. By applying storytelling and narratives in work, Shukla aims to create an emotional connection and make the output memorable, enhancing its perceived value.
4. Understanding that simplicity and clarity are key components of beauty in cognition, Shukla recommends making information easy to grasp and understand.
5. positioning beauty as a cultural and leadership tool, Shukla suggests utilizing awe and beauty to elevate thinking, creativity, and ethical considerations within teams and workplaces.
6. The study of memory and attention in psychology demonstrates that people are drawn to and remember visually appealing stimuli, which can be applied to work, increasing its impact and value.
7. In the field of education and self-development, focusing on personal growth and creativity can have a positive impact on productivity and mental health, and integrating these values into learning materials can ensure their success.
8. The implementation of artificial-intelligence tools in the creation process can benefit from incorporating human aesthetics and emotional intelligence to produce compelling and impactful results.
9. Stress and anxiety can negatively affect one's behavior and productivity, and addressing these issues through therapy or self-care practices can help improve cognitive function and overall well-being.
10. Beyond the physical, the concept of beauty is multifaceted and can be observed in various aspects of life, from music and art to science and philosophy; seeking inspiration from different domains can help spur creativity and cultivate a broader understanding of the world.

Read also: