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Aperture Category Definitions

These are the standardized definitions for the tags used within Aperture categories.

Sam Schlessel avatar
Written by Sam Schlessel
Updated yesterday

Below are the definitions for each tag used in the Aperture categories. These are designed to provide clarity on how each creative element is classified and help ensure consistent application across projects.

The Tags are are organized into multiple levels of classification. These include a primary category, followed by secondary and sometimes tertiary definitions. For example: Strategic Expression → Tone → Formal

Please keep this tiered structure in mind when interpreting or applying these definitions.

Strategic Expression

Strategic Expression involves the articulation of a brand's identity through various messaging hierarchies, seasonal campaigns, and branding elements. It includes the development and delivery of key messages, the portrayal of brand values, and the strategic planning of communication efforts to create a consistent and compelling narrative that resonates with the audience.

Technical

Strategic Expression, Technical

Technical expression emphasizes the detailed, functional, and practical attributes of media content, often used in content focused on technology, production quality, and media standards. This includes specifications that affect the quality and delivery of digital media.

Tone

Strategic Expression, Tone

Tone expression emphasizes the brand's personality and the way it communicates with its audience, often used in content focused on brand identity, customer engagement, and storytelling.

Strategic Expression,Tone, Formal

Formal tone emphasizes clarity, precision, and a serious demeanor. It is often used in business, legal, and academic contexts where professionalism and authority are paramount.

Strategic Expression,Tone, Friendly

Friendly tone emphasizes creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. It is often used in customer service, social media, and informal communications to build rapport and foster positive relationships.

Strategic Expression,Tone, Engaging

Engaging tone emphasizes enthusiasm, dynamism, and interactivity. It is often used in marketing, advertising, and educational content to captivate the audience and prompt them to take action.

Strategic Expression,Tone, Expressive

Expressive tone emphasizes creativity, emotion, and individuality. It is often used in artistic, literary, and entertainment contexts to convey strong emotions and unique perspectives.

Seasonal

Strategic Expression, Seasonal

Seasonal expression emphasizes timely and relevant messaging that resonates with current events, holidays, and seasonal trends, often used in content focused on marketing campaigns, promotions, and product launches.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Meteorological Seasons

Meteorological seasons emphasize the unique characteristics and activities associated with each season, often used in content focused on weather changes, seasonal products, and lifestyle activities.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Agricultural Seasons

Agricultural seasons emphasize the timing and activities related to farming and crop production, often used in content focused on agriculture, food production, and rural lifestyles.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Academic Seasons

Academic seasons emphasize the start and end of school terms, exams, and breaks, often used in content focused on education, student life, and academic products.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Fiscal Seasons

Fiscal seasons emphasize financial reporting, budget planning, and economic cycles, often used in content focused on business, finance, and economic forecasts.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Holiday Seasons

Holiday seasons emphasize celebration, tradition, and seasonal activities, often used in content focused on holiday promotions, festive events, and special offers.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Sports Seasons

Sports seasons emphasize the excitement, fandom, and events related to sports, often used in content focused on sports marketing, fan engagement, and athletic products.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Cultural/Festival Seasons

Cultural and festival seasons emphasize cultural heritage, traditions, and community celebrations, often used in content focused on cultural events, festival promotions, and community engagement.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Fashion Seasons

Fashion seasons emphasize the launch of new collections, trends, and fashion events, often used in content focused on fashion shows, new arrivals, and seasonal style guides.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Television and Entertainment Seasons

Television and entertainment seasons emphasize new releases, premieres, and awards, often used in content focused on entertainment marketing, fan engagement, and promotional events.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Tourism Seasons

Tourism seasons emphasize travel trends, destination highlights, and seasonal travel deals, often used in content focused on travel marketing, destination promotions, and vacation planning.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Retail Seasons

Retail seasons emphasize key shopping events, sales, and consumer behavior, often used in content focused on retail promotions, seasonal offers, and consumer engagement.

Strategic Expression,Seasonal, Culinary Seasons

Culinary seasons emphasize seasonal ingredients, cooking techniques, and food-related events, often used in content focused on food marketing, seasonal recipes, and culinary experiences.

Branding

Strategic Expression, Branding

Branding expression emphasizes the visual and conceptual elements that define a brand's image, often used in content focused on brand development, recognition, and loyalty.

Strategic Expression, Branding, Role

Branding role emphasizes the brand's core function, its position in the market, and how it serves its customers. It defines the fundamental reasons for the brand's existence and how it fulfills customer needs and expectations.

Strategic Expression, Branding, Identity

Branding identity emphasizes the visual, verbal, and behavioral elements that create a cohesive and recognizable image for the brand. This includes logos, colors, typography, tone of voice, and overall brand personality.

Strategic Expression, Branding, Logo

The branding logo emphasizes the design and usage of the logo as a central element of the brand's visual identity. This includes various types of logos and how they are applied across different media and touchpoints.

Strategic Expression, Branding, Logo, Logo Type

Logo type emphasizes the different forms and designs a logo can take, reflecting the brand's identity and visual strategy.

Messaging

Strategic Expression, Messaging

Messaging expression emphasizes clarity, focus, and the delivery of key brand values, often used in content focused on brand identity, value propositions, and central themes.

Strategic Expression, Messaging, Benefit

Messaging benefit emphasizes the different types of benefits communicated to the audience, such as functional, emotional, promotional, educational, and pricing benefits. These benefits highlight how the brand or product meets customer needs and enhances their experience.

Strategic Expression, Messaging, Hierarchy

Messaging hierarchy emphasizes the order and importance of different messages, ensuring that the most critical information is communicated effectively. This helps create a clear and cohesive narrative.

Strategic Expression, Messaging, CTA

Messaging CTA emphasizes the use of clear and compelling calls-to-action that encourage the audience to respond, engage, or take the desired action. This includes various types of CTAs based on engagement, information, and conversion.


Creative Approach

The Creative Approach encompasses a wide range of artistic styles and thematic concepts used in advertising and marketing. It includes decisions about aesthetics, such as modern or historical styles, cultural influences, and thematic elements like minimalism or surrealism. These choices help establish a distinctive look and feel for the brand, enhancing its appeal and memorability.

Aesthetics

Creative Approach, Aesthetics

Aesthetic approach emphasizes the use of specific design elements, visual styles, and artistic influences to create a distinctive and appealing visual identity. It includes choices related to modern or historical styles, cultural influences, and thematic elements.

Creative Approach, Aesthetics, Modern

Modern aesthetics emphasize simplicity, functionality, and the use of new materials and techniques. It often includes minimalism, geometric shapes, and a focus on technology and progress.

Creative Approach, Aesthetics, Historical

Historical aesthetics emphasize the use of design elements from specific historical eras, creating a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. This includes styles like Art Deco, Victorian, and Gothic.

Creative Approach, Aesthetics, Cultural

Cultural aesthetics emphasize the unique design elements, colors, and motifs that are characteristic of specific cultural heritages, creating a sense of authenticity and diversity.

Creative Approach, Aesthetics, Thematic

Thematic aesthetics emphasize the use of consistent design elements, colors, and motifs to create a unified narrative or atmosphere. This includes styles like dark academia, techwear, and cottagecore.

Style

Creative Approach, Style

Style approach emphasizes the specific choices made in design, fashion, art, and other visual elements to convey a unique brand identity. It includes decisions about fashion styles, design styles, art styles, and graphic design styles.

Creative Approach, Style, Design Styles

Design styles emphasize the unique characteristics and principles that guide the creation of visual content, influencing the choice of colors, shapes, and layout.

Creative Approach, Style, Fashion Styles

Fashion styles emphasize the unique trends, silhouettes, and themes that define how individuals dress and present themselves.

Creative Approach, Style, Art Styles

Art styles emphasize the techniques, themes, and visual elements that distinguish different movements and periods in art history.

Creative Approach, Style, Graphic Design Styles

Graphic design styles emphasize the use of typography, imagery, and layout to create visually appealing and effective designs.

Creative Approach, Style, Music Styles

Music styles emphasize the unique characteristics, instruments, and rhythms that distinguish various genres of music.

Creative Approach, Style, Architecture Styles

Architecture styles emphasize the unique principles, materials, and design elements that distinguish different periods and movements in architecture.

Mood

Creative Approach, Mood

Mood approach emphasizes the feelings and emotions that the content aims to evoke in the audience. It includes the use of visual and auditory elements to create specific emotional responses.

Creative Approach, Mood, Positive

Positive mood emphasizes creating an uplifting and cheerful atmosphere, often used in content focused on happiness, celebration, and optimism.

Creative Approach, Mood, Negative

Negative mood emphasizes creating a somber and emotional atmosphere, often used in content focused on serious topics, challenges, and introspection.

Creative Approach, Mood, Mysterious

Mysterious mood emphasizes creating an enigmatic and captivating atmosphere, often used in content focused on mystery, thrillers, and suspenseful storytelling.

Creative Approach, Mood, Calm

Calm mood emphasizes creating a soothing and serene atmosphere, often used in content focused on relaxation, meditation, and peaceful environments.

Creative Approach, Mood, Excitement

Excitement mood emphasizes creating a dynamic and lively atmosphere, often used in content focused on action, adventure, and high-energy activities.

Creative Approach, Mood, Reflective

Reflective mood emphasizes creating a pensive and thoughtful atmosphere, often used in content focused on personal growth, memories, and deep thinking.

Creative Approach, Mood, Unease

Unease mood emphasizes creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere, often used in content focused on horror, thrillers, and suspenseful narratives.

Creative Approach, Mood, Unique

Unique mood emphasizes creating a distinctive and unconventional atmosphere, often used in content focused on creativity, innovation, and non-conformity.

Creative Approach, Mood, Natural

Natural mood emphasizes creating an organic and genuine atmosphere, often used in content focused on nature, sustainability, and simplicity.

Creative Approach, Mood, Luxurious

Luxurious mood emphasizes creating an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, often used in content focused on luxury products, upscale lifestyles, and premium experiences.

Storytelling

Creative Approach, Storytelling

Storytelling approach emphasizes the use of narrative arcs, story types, and sequencing to engage the audience and convey the brand's message effectively. It includes choices about how the story is structured and presented.

Creative Approach, Storytelling, Narrative Arc

Narrative arc emphasizes the flow and progression of the story, including the beginning, middle, and end. This can involve various storytelling techniques to engage the audience.

Creative Approach, Storytelling, Story Type

Story type emphasizes the thematic and stylistic elements that define the narrative, shaping the way the story is perceived and experienced.

Production

Creative Approach, Production

Production approach emphasizes the technical and creative processes involved in producing content, including the level of production quality and the types of production techniques used.

Creative Approach, Production, Level

Production level emphasizes the resources and effort put into creating the content, ranging from low-budget, user-generated content to high-budget, professional productions.

Creative Approach, Production, Type

Production type emphasizes the different forms of content creation, including live-action, animation, and special techniques.

Color Palette

Creative Approach, Color Palette

Color palette approach emphasizes the strategic use of color to enhance visual appeal, convey brand identity, and evoke specific emotions. It includes decisions about color schemes and their application.


Creative Components

The Creative Components category includes all the tangible elements that make up a piece of content. This includes decisions about lighting (natural, LED, soft), color (hue, contrast, saturation), layout (composition, balance), copy (hooks, specs), motion (transitions, sequencing), and sound (music, sound effects). Each component plays a crucial role in creating a cohesive and engaging final product.

Key Imagery

Creative Components, Key Imagery

Key imagery components emphasize the importance of specific visuals in conveying the brand's message, setting, and tone. This includes settings, objects, and people.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Setting

Setting emphasizes the backdrop for the content, creating context and atmosphere through indoor or outdoor scenes.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Setting, Indoor

Indoor settings emphasize the context of residential, commercial, or industrial interiors to create a specific atmosphere or convey particular themes.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Setting, Outdoor

Outdoor settings emphasize the context of nature, landscapes, or cityscapes to create a specific atmosphere or convey particular themes.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things

Things emphasize the visual focus on specific items that are central to the narrative or theme.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Products

Product imagery emphasizes the appearance, usage, and packaging of products to highlight their features, benefits, and appeal.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Icons

Icon imagery emphasizes simple, recognizable symbols that convey clear meanings, often used in user interfaces, infographics, and branding.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Objects

Object imagery emphasizes the inclusion of various items to enrich the visual narrative and provide relatable context.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, People

People imagery emphasizes human presence and interaction to create relatable and engaging content.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Weather

Weather imagery emphasizes the depiction of different weather phenomena to set the scene or mood and provide context.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Animals and Pets [AWS Category]

Animals and pets imagery emphasizes the inclusion of various animals to create a sense of warmth, companionship, or to support specific thematic elements.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Events and Attractions [AWS Category]

Events and attractions imagery emphasizes the vibrancy and excitement of various events and locations, providing context and drawing viewer interest.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Food and Beverage [AWS Category]

Food and beverage imagery emphasizes the appeal and presentation of various culinary items, often used to evoke appetite and interest in culinary experiences.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Apparel and Accessories [AWS Category]

Apparel and accessories imagery emphasizes the style, trends, and uses of different fashion items to convey a sense of fashion and personal style.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Beauty and Personal Care [AWS Category]

Beauty and personal care imagery emphasizes the appeal and functionality of products related to self-care and grooming.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Furniture and Furnishings [AWS Category]

Furniture and furnishings imagery emphasizes the design, comfort, and style of various home and office furnishings.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Health and Fitness [AWS Category]

Health and fitness imagery emphasizes the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, physical activities, and fitness equipment.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Hobbies and Interests [AWS Category]

Hobbies and interests imagery emphasizes the enjoyment and activities related to personal pastimes and leisure activities.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Home and Indoors [AWS Category]

Home and indoors imagery emphasizes the comfort, design, and activities within the home environment.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Home Appliances [AWS Category]

Home appliances imagery emphasizes the functionality, design, and use of various household devices.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Kitchen and Dining [AWS Category]

Kitchen and dining imagery emphasizes the functionality and aesthetic appeal of kitchenware and dining experiences.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Materials [AWS Category]

Materials imagery emphasizes the texture, quality, and application of different materials.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Patterns and Shapes [AWS Category]

Patterns and shapes imagery emphasizes the aesthetic and structural elements used in design and art.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Performing Arts [AWS Category]

Performing arts imagery emphasizes the creativity and emotion of various performing arts disciplines.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Sports [AWS Category]

Sports imagery emphasizes the excitement, skill, and physicality of various sports.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Technology and Computing [AWS Category]

Technology and computing imagery emphasizes the innovation and functionality of various tech products.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Text and Documents [AWS Category]

Text and documents imagery emphasizes the importance and organization of various written materials.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Tools and Machinery [AWS Category]

Tools and machinery imagery emphasizes the utility and application of various tools and equipment.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Transport and Logistics [AWS Category]

Transport and logistics imagery emphasizes the movement and distribution of goods and people.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Travel and Adventure [AWS Category]

Travel and adventure imagery emphasizes the excitement and exploration of various destinations and activities.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Vehicles and Automotive [AWS Category]

Vehicles and automotive imagery emphasizes the design, performance, and functionality of various vehicles, including their use in transportation and logistics.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, Products, Applied

Applied products imagery emphasizes how products are used in real-world scenarios, demonstrating their functionality and benefits.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, People, Presence

Presence imagery emphasizes the inclusion of people in various contexts to create a sense of relatability and connection.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, People, Gaze

Gaze imagery emphasizes where individuals are looking, which can convey emotions, intentions, or draw attention to specific elements in the scene.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, People, Demographics

Demographics imagery emphasizes the inclusion of diverse age groups, ethnicities, genders, and other demographic characteristics to reflect a broad and inclusive audience.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, People, Emotion

Emotion imagery emphasizes capturing human emotions to enhance the narrative and connect with the audience on an emotional level.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, People, Celebrity

Celebrity imagery emphasizes the use of well-known personalities to attract attention and add credibility or glamour to the content.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, People, Actions

Actions imagery emphasizes capturing dynamic and everyday activities to show functionality, engagement, and lifestyle.

Creative Components, Key Imagery, Things, People, Profession [AWS Category]

Profession imagery emphasizes showcasing people in their work environments to highlight different careers and job functions.

Layout

Creative Components, Layout

Layout components emphasize the importance of composition and balance in creating visually appealing and effective designs. This includes various techniques for organizing content.

Creative Components, Layout, Composition

Composition emphasizes the strategic placement and organization of visual elements to create a balanced and engaging design.

Creative Components, Layout, Balance

Balance emphasizes achieving visual harmony through symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial, or mosaic arrangements.

Copy

Creative Components, Copy

Copy components emphasize the role of written content in communication, including how it is crafted and presented. This includes various types of copy and their attributes.

Creative Components, Copy, Hook

Hook emphasizes engaging the audience immediately with compelling, intriguing, or provocative text.

Creative Components, Copy, Specs

Copy specs emphasize the specific attributes of the text, including its density, visibility, and readability.

Motion

Creative Components, Motion

Motion components emphasize the role of transitions and sequencing in video content, including various techniques to enhance storytelling and visual interest.

Creative Components, Motion, Transitions

Transitions emphasize creating smooth, dynamic, or dramatic changes between visual elements to enhance storytelling.

Creative Components, Motion, Sequencing

Sequencing emphasizes the flow and progression of visual content to create a coherent and engaging narrative.

Sound

Creative Components, Sound

Sound components emphasize the role of music, sound effects, speech, and captions in creating an immersive and engaging experience. This includes various types of sound elements.

Creative Components, Sound, Type

Sound type emphasizes the various forms of audio that enhance the viewer's experience and support the narrative.

Creative Components, Sound, Audio Production

Audio production emphasizes the quality and technical attributes of the audio used in content.

Lighting

Creative Components, Lighting

Lighting components emphasize how different lighting techniques can impact the atmosphere and visibility of the scene. This includes various sources and qualities of light.

Color

Creative Components, Color

Color components emphasize the strategic use of color to enhance the visual appeal and emotional impact of the content. This includes various attributes of color.

Typography

Creative Components, Typography

Typography components emphasize the importance of font choice, spacing, and alignment in creating readable and aesthetically pleasing text. This includes various aspects of typography.

Custom Elements

Creative Components, Custom Elements

Custom elements emphasize the flexibility and personalization of content to meet unique branding or project needs. This includes any specialized elements that do not fit into standard categories.

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