Aesthetic Edit

An aesthetic edit or aesthetic post, also known as a moodboard, is a type of thematic image set. It is visually unified, often by being desaturated or having a specific color tint added. In fandom, it is common to see aesthetic posts about individual fandoms, pairings, or characters. It is also not unusual for them to be created for fanfics, sometimes as part of a challenge. 
They can also be popular in fandoms without a visual adaptations, for example book fandoms, allowing fans to illustrate the story. They might include shots of the character(s) from canon or a fancasting of the character(s), images of locations associated with that character(s), images of props associated with that character(s), etc. 
Aesthetic edits are particularly popular on Tumblr due to the ease with which sets of images can be posted. A number of aesthetic boards also exist on Pinterest, which also lends itself to collecting sets of themed images, either uploaded by the user or from elsewhere on the site.
== Process ==
Fans creating aesthetic edits/moodboard usually first collect a variety images. Some fans use Pinterest boards to gather and organize images that fit the desired theme or character. These can be canon images of the characters or, in the case of fancasting, collecting images of actors/celebrities that would fit what the fan thinks the character could look like. Then collecting other general photography images that would reflect the setting, vibe, or mood of the subject. Some fans try to only use photography images that are licensed creative commons or from royalty free image sites, while others use whatever images they can find regardless of licensing. 
Once the images are collected, they are typically arranged into a visually appealing layout, often using a grid format. Many fans use image editing software like Photoshop or online tools like Canva or Picsart to create these layouts and apply filters, adjustments, and effects. Photo editing apps like VSCO are also popular for fine-tuning the color palette, lighting, contrast, and saturation of the images to create a cohesive visual theme across the entire edit. Although, sites like Tumblr enable some fans to skip this step all together and just upload several images directly into one post. Some edits will also include text either in the image itself, or added as a description to posts when uploaded online.
The complexity of these aesthetic edits has also evolved over the years, going from just images in a simple square, to intriguing mosaics, with the use of gifs in addition to only static images.
==Sharing of Resources==
It is quite common for fans to share templates and other resources with each other on sites like Tumblr and DeviantartBlank Moodboard Three Dotted Diamonds by kingstoken, especially for edits outside the common grid format. This enables other fans to create their own moodboards/edits without having to start the process from scratch. These may be psd files or some other format that would allow other fans to insert their own chosen images through editing software or other online programs.
==Examples ==
===Character Aesthetics===
*, Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) aesthetic post by siriusisntdead
*mood boards. the boy who flew too close to the sun, Greek Mythology moodboard by remuslupi
*Character Aesthetic: Peter Parker, Peter Parker (Spider-Man) aesthetic board by Katie Scott
*The Sherlock aesthetic tag
*Character Aesthetic: Yuuri, a Yuuri Katsuki (Yuri!!! on Ice) aesthetic board by Katie Scott
* by the-nerdy-archer (multifandom)
*Character Aesthetics: Hugo Vega, a Hugo Vega (Dream Daddy) aesthetic board by The Black Queen Of Hearts
===Ship Aesthetics===
* by manilaenvy, a Peter Parker/Gwen Stacy (Spider-Man) moodboard and fancast
*you have always been important. you have always been something. A Carlos/Cecil (Welcome to Night Vale) moodboard
===Trope Aesthetics ===
* by letsmcfreakingloseit, a Hanahaki Disease aesthetic board
==Example Gallery==
=== Alternative Universe Aesthetic Edits===
File:Stuckony, Role Reversal AU.png|alt=Images of: Iron Man gloves on a white surface; a black background with red text that reads 'I Forgot My Name Again'; a man straddling a motorcycle; a hand touch a electronic touch screen; an image of Tony in a hoodie; cans of paintbrushes; Steve in a suit walking down in the street; dog tags laying on an 4F form; Bucky in a leather jacket; a small arc reactor; a person holding a machine gun; the Captain America shield half buried in the ground.|Stuckony, Role Reversal AU by nixie-deangel, MCU (2018)
File:Frostiron moodboard.png|alt=Images of: a gold crown on a green background; Loki in profile with his horned helmet and hold his staff; green background with black text that reads 'but in all the chaos there is calculation'; a bouquet of roses laid on a white sheet; an illustration of Loki holding pink roses; a single red rose laying on a white sheet; Tony in Victorian dress with a dressing gown; a white background with green text that reads 'half man half god'; illustration of Tony in medival dress with a fur trimmed cape.|AU: Odin lost against the Jötnar by sweethoneyplum (Frostiron Bingo, 2019) 
===Canon Inspired Aesthetic Edits ===
File:Song of Achilles edit.jpg|alt=Images of: two naked men embracing in bed; golden arrows; two armies in ancient Greek style army running at each other; ocean waves; a golden laurel wreath; a golden helmet; a young man in toga with curly blonde hair; footprints in sand; a golden lyre; statue of a soldier holding a dying man. Text reads 'name one hero who was happy'|Edit by Droo216 for The Song of Achilles (2021) 
File:Marvel at the World by ButlerOfKings.jpg|alt= Images of: a robot holding butterflies; a mushroom; a forest with a river; an abandoned room with overgrown weeds; a collection of tea; overhanging trees, a robot hand touching a human hand, trees, a quote with the words "You are allowed to just live", a bear and Dex's wagon|A moodboard titled "Marvel At The World" by ButlerOfKings for the Monk and Robot book series. (2024)
===Character Aesthetic Edits===
File:Hawkeye by buckybuck.png|alt=Images of: a dog with a tongue sticking out of its mouth; tickets to a circus; a white mug with text 'over worked under caffinated; a sign that reads 'new plan fuck it'; a young man with brown hair; the exterior of a pizzeria; a person with purple shoes sitting on the edge of a city building; illustrations of sign language; a hand holding a bow; a closet full of purple shirt; a young man with a black eye; purple neon lights that say 'people disappoint, pizza is eternal'.|an aesthetic/mood board for Clint Barton by buckybuck, (Marvel Comics) (2017)
File:Sosf castorangevin moodboard.jpg|alt=Images of: head of a marble statue; a neon white bleeding heart; white text on a purple background that reads 'sick of all these people talking'; purple flowers; a blond boy with his face buried in his arm; a pink rose in a glass cup; water with overlaid text taht reads 'you can not touch me I'm in anohter universe; a neon sign of a hand holding a heart; a marble state light by a long tublar purple light.|Moodboard for Percy Jackson and the Olympians character Castor Angevin by uh-is-this-camp-halfblood (2022) 
===Fanfic Aesthetic Edits===
File:Last outpost moodboard.png|alt=Images of: a hand on a naked back; Sam standing in a grassy field; Sam and Dean walking down a deserted country road; red desert mountains; Dean driving the Impala; a dilapidated barn; the Impala driving down an empty road; two men in bed together in a darkened room.|Moodboard by farrells, created for the Supernatural fic Last Outpost Of All That Is (2013)
File:LiLL moodboard 2.jpg|alt=Images of: an art gallery; the naked back of a woman; Lexa smiling; a city street; holding hands; Clarke in a oversized scarf walking down a busy sidewalk; cityscape of New York City; a pizza parlor window.|Moodbaord by thehaughtcommander for the The 100 fic Lover In Low Light (2015)
File:Down to Agincourt Gif Set.gif|alt=Images of: a finger pointing out a spot on a map; dean cocking a gun; a mug of a hot beverage on a table; silhouettes of Dean and Castiel filled wit stars, with the text 'Light the World'; a notebook and pen; Castiel loading a gun; a finger tracing a road on a map.|For the Supernatural fic Down to Agincourt by culturethatcounts (2015), this example using a combination of still images and animated gifs.
File:The Fundamentals of Caring moodboard.jpg|alt=Black and white images of: tiled covered rooftops; two naked men embracing in bed; a bowl of bread pudding; a bed with rumpled sheets.|Moodboard by babyotaku, created for the Yuri!!! on Ice fic The Fundamentals of Caring (2017)
File:I have seen what man can do when the evil lives inside of you.png|alt=Images of: a house with wrap around balconies on the first ans second floors; a hand holding a compass; Kim Taehyung holding his own face with eyes closed; a bathroom with plants in the windows; Taehyung and Jungkook sitting back to back; a book surrounded by herbs and bottles; Jeon Jungkook outside with his eyes closed; an orange cat; a stacked pile of old books; brown background with the text 'swamp magic'; a gray kitten; a bottle with pink liquid; Jungkook and Jimin laying down in bed; a candle and a book; Park Jimin looking pensive; necklaces and rings; Kim Taehyung, Jeon Jungkook and Park Jimin sitting together; a stack of old books; three broomsticks.|Moodboard for the BTS fic Swamp Magic by daegucrew (2017)
File:Blue aesthetic- the love is vintage by barbaratp.jpeg|alt=Images of: steering wheel; two hands touching index fingers; a blue neon sign that reads 'To Me You Are Perfect'; a hand holding a cigerette; a blue enon sign that reads 'I Can't Remember I Can't Forget'; a hand held to person's heart; a person haloding flowers up to their eye; a hand putting a tape into a car stereo; blue clouds with the text 'The Love is Vintage Raylanny Alves'.|"The Love is Vintage" a retro 80's fic Itachi x Shisui by Raylanny Alves, art by barbaratp (2018)
File:Severance 1.png|alt=Images of: snowflakes on a wood; a close-up of Sam's lips; a crown made of ice; blueberries covered in frost; leather armor; a hand curling into the snow; craked ice; wood cravings of intertwined vines.|One of two moodboards created by Foxeyesam for the fic Severance as part of the Samifer Big Bang (Supernatural) (2019)
File:Shadows where I stand moodboard.jpg|alt=Images of: a hospital room; Rick smiling; blue flowers overlaid with the text 'I can't do this without him'; a basket of strawberries; a prison overlaid with the text 'How do I know what's real?'; a close photo of Daryl; a poncho; a bar with a lot of liquor bottles lined up against the wall.|Moodboard for the TWD fic Shadows Where I Stand by ialwaysfuckingchooseyo (2019)
File:Key to Your heart.png|alt=Images of: a puppy; a large tree; a key among leaves on the ground; two women holding hands; a lock on a bridge railing; a person playing guitar; a swirl of colors pink, blue, and brown; a path beside a river; yellow tulips.|Moodboard for the OUAT fic Key to Your Heart by OfMonstersAndWerewolves (2023) 
===Fanmix Aesthetic Edits ===
File:I Want To Run Towards Something.jpg|alt=Images of: sticker that reds 'Dad? Fuck You Very Very Much'; cigerette butts in a heart shaped dish; a lighter with the text on the side that reads 'Sad Girls Smoke A Lot'; clippings of hair in a sink; young Beverly Marsh smiling; close of eyeglasses on a freckled face; a person in dress sitting on a tree branch; a person riding a pink bike; two feet sticking up out of a bathtub.|Cover for the IT fanmix I Want To Run Towards Something by MaydayCat Alchemist (2019)
File:Courtney Torres playlist cover by aloeverified.png|alt=Images of: a license plate that reads 'PRNCSS'; a window that olooks out towards abrick house; a woman wearing a white t-shirt that reads 'I ❤️ to make boys cry'; a person reading a book; a woman laying in bed; a wall with the text 'Hello' in gold letters; heart shaped braids; a cup of tea sitting on a stack of books; a person kicking off their dress shoes.|Cover for the Total Drama fanmix Courtney Torres by aloeverified (2022)
File:Hard Hats, Baseball Caps cover by Nightmare Lane .jpg|Cover for the Team Fortress 2 fanmix Hard Hats, Baseball Caps by Nightmare Lane (2018) 
===Music Inspired Aesthetic Edits===
File:Speak now moodboard by womanatwork23.jpg|alt=Images of: an open book; fireworks in a night sky; purple clouds in the sky; purple wild flowers in front of a castle turret; Taylor Swift in a purple dress looking over her shoulder at the viewer; two people dancing in the rain; high heels surrounded by a purple gauzy material; purple and blue confetti falling from the sky; purple daisies. On a purple background.|Speak Now Moodboard by womanatwork23 (Taylor Swift, 2024) 
===Shipping Aesthetic Edits===
File:More than friends, but less than a couple janewaychakotay moodboard.jpg|alt=Images of: Janeway looking sad; text on a white background that reads 'We're more than friends but less than a couple'; a purple nebula; a pink rose; Janeway and Chakotay having a dinner together; a pocket watch; the starship Voyager; hands cradling a mug of coffee; Janeway touching Chakotay's shoulder.|More than friends, but less than a couple moodboard for the Star Trek: VOY pairing of Janeway/Chakotay by kingstoken (2019), created for the Star Trek Secret Santa Gift Exchange
File:Firefighter boyfriends evan buckley and tommy kinard aka hottest couple of the LAFD moodboard.jpg|alt= 	Images of: two men laying in bed together and holding hands; an exhausted Buck sitting on the front bumper of the fire truck; a man stting on a bed and another man standing in between his legs; a fireman's coat that reads 'Buckley'; a hand caressing the back of a man's neck; a fabrci patch for the Los Angles Fire Department; two men in a side embrace; Tommy smiling slightly; two men at a table with coffees and holding hands.|firefighter boyfriends: evan buckley and tommy kinard aka hottest couple of the LAFD moodboard for 9-1-1 pairing Buck/Tommy by evansboyfriend (2024)
== Archives and Communities==
*Moodboard tag at AO3
*Moodboard tag at DeviantArt
==Resources==
*Tutorials on making aesthetics and moodboard posts: 
* by Undine
==Further Reading==
*Pic sets, fan cognition, and fannish networks of meaning by Jessica Hautsch, in the journal Transformative Works and Cultures
==References==
Category:Visual Art