Why did people dislike the "TNG aesthetic"?

[Gotham Central]

I've always been fascinated as to why so many Trek fans seemed to dislike the visual aesthetic that was developed for early TNG. I'm not talking about clothes but more the appearance of shipboard life that seemed to emphasize comfort and luxury at a very human level over omnipresent mechanization.

In some ways the look and feel of TNG is just a carry over from what was attempted in the The Motion Picture. We were shown an Enterprise that was much less focused on operations and maintenance and more on leisurely exploration. The Bridge of the Enterprise D had fewer (and smaller) stations than any ship we'd seen before or since. The idea was in someways that the Bridge was just a glorified lounge for the senior staff since most of the ship's operations were meant to be automated. Engineering was largely incorporated into the corridors instead of being isolated as in prior ships. There were planters and wood paneling with computers largely invisible unless needed.

Despite creating a vision of exploration that was comfortable and relaxed...fans seemed to reject the look everytime it was tried. Both the TMP and TNG Enterprises were negatively compared to hotels.

I'm just curious as to why this did not seem to resonate with fans?

 

[Starborn Dragon]

I like much of the design of those sets. I'd like to have a house that is much like that myself, that's how much I liked.

Except for those stupid dresses that the men wore. Those I hate to no end.

 

[Cyke101]

I've always been fascinated as to why so many Trek fans seemed to dislike the visual aesthetic that was developed for early TNG. I'm not talking about clothes but more the appearance of shipboard life that seemed to emphasize comfort and luxury at a very human level over omnipresent mechanization.

In some ways the look and feel of TNG is just a carry over from what was attempted in the The Motion Picture. We were shown an Enterprise that was much less focused on operations and maintenance and more on leisurely exploration. The Bridge of the Enterprise D had fewer (and smaller) stations than any ship we'd seen before or since. The idea was in someways that the Bridge was just a glorified lounge for the senior staff since most of the ship's operations were meant to be automated. Engineering was largely incorporated into the corridors instead of being isolated as in prior ships. There were planters and wood paneling with computers largely invisible unless needed.

Despite creating a vision of exploration that was comfortable and relaxed...fans seemed to reject the look everytime it was tried. Both the TMP and TNG Enterprises were negatively compared to hotels.

I'm just curious as to why this did not seem to resonate with fans?

There's something about the term "leisurely exploration" that throws me a little off. Yes, the ship is supposed to be comfortable, but not necessarily leisurely -- it's dangerous out there, as we've seen every week, so the crew has to be on their guard at all times, ready to move at a moment's notice.

Speaking as a fan of the E-D and the Galaxy as my favorite ship, I think the beige color scheme adds to the warmth of the ship, but in a bad way -- to me, THAT's what makes it look more like a hotel rather than a serious Federation endeavour into the unknown. If the ship had the internal color scheme of, say, Voyager, it would probably suit the mission more. As it is, beige (and carpet on the walls!) not only dates the look of the show, but makes the ship seem too cozy; beige is a color of stability and stagnation, after all. The slight changes the aesthetic took in later seasons were subtle but good improvements.

As it is, there's a wide range between comfort/luxury and "omnipresent mechanization." I don't think I've ever seen anyone here say the E-D's insides should look like a damp fall out basement; on the other hand, some design fluffs seemed to fall more with impracticality rather than aesthetic reasons.

 

[martok2112]

Although I was not crazy about the Love Boat style for the Enterprise D, I understand it.

The Enterprise D was designed to go on missions without requiring refueling for some 20 years. Resupply was one thing, refueling, another. And if crews and their families were expected to be out in space for a prolonged period of time, then yes, they should be comfortable.

However, not on the bridge, where more than just exploration and scientific analysis on a general level is overseen. The bridge is also the main op center for tactical operations.

I just couldn't fathom it:

Yar: Phasers and photon torpedoes armed and ready, sir.
Picard: Very well. Is everyone comfortable? Counselor Troi, is your seat cushy enough?

Yes, they had a battle bridge that looked much more utilitarian, and perhaps even spartan, but how often was that used?

I didn't really like it, but I somewhat understood the aesthetic.

And yeah, I wasn't crazy about the dudes in miniskirts either....I didn't like that since TMP.

 

[Cyke101]

Although I was not crazy about the Love Boat style for the Enterprise D, I understand it.

The Enterprise D was designed to go on missions without requiring refueling for some 20 years. Resupply was one thing, refueling, another. And if crews and their families were expected to be out in space for a prolonged period of time, then yes, they should be comfortable.

However, not on the bridge, where more than just exploration and scientific analysis on a general level is overseen. The bridge is also the main op center for tactical operations.

I just couldn't fathom it:

Yar: Phasers and photon torpedoes armed and ready, sir.
Picard: Very well. Is everyone comfortable? Counselor Troi, is your seat cushy enough?

Yes, they had a battle bridge that looked much more utilitarian, and perhaps even spartan, but how often was that used?

I didn't really like it, but I somewhat understood the aesthetic.

And yeah, I wasn't crazy about the dudes in miniskirts either....I didn't like that since TMP.

I'm just reminded that it took 7 years for Tactical to get a chair. Most are comfy, some are not!

 

[RandyS]

I agree. I always, and still do, prefer the look of first season TNG. I wish it hadn't been changed. I think though, that as time went on, the idiotic need for "realism" took over not just the writing (which in itself was bad enough), but also the look of the sets.

 

[Orphalesion]

I don't know I quite like the TNG aesthetic. Pleasant, muted colours, nice allocation of space, overall tasteful interior design.

It's the TOS aesthetic that causes my eyes to bleed with its horrible bright primaries everywhere.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

It could have been comfier: Picard could have been sitting in a hot tub with Riker and Troi while ordering Worf to fire phasers.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I wasn't aware that there were "so many" fans who dislike the "TNG aesthetic." Oh, some dislike it, and have said so, but, then again, no matter what it is in Star Trek, some fans dislike it. I've never considered any dislike expressed by fans for the aesthetic to be any different from the dislike expressed by fans for anything else. No matter what it is, someone's gonna hate it.

Rather than asking why there's some supposed degree of dislike for it, that's by the way not in evidence, a better question might be to ask for any fans out there who dislike it to explain why.

Personally, I liked it fine. Although my first reaction in "Encounter at Farpoint" was that the bridge set was awfully spartan or bare, I got past that rather quickly. I do agree that there is a natural progression from TOS to TMP to TNG.

 

[PicardSpeedo]

I personally feel that the absolute best-looking Enterprise interiors were those featured in The Undiscovered Country.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

IMO the aesthetic of TNG seems more particular to the 80s than the aesthetic of DS9 and Voyager do to the 90s.

 

[Lance]

I prefer the 1701-D aesthetic to the 1701-E aesthetic. The former has warmth and character; the latter feels stark and unfriendly. I know that was kind of the point, 1701-E is a battleship after all. But from a gut feeling I know which one I'd rather serve on.

 

[The Wormhole]

I prefer the 1701-D aesthetic to the 1701-E aesthetic. The former has warmth and character; the latter feels stark and unfriendly. I know that was kind of the point, 1701-E is a battleship after all. But from a gut feeling I know which one I'd rather serve on.

I don't know, the Enterprise E's bridge does have those nice leather chairs...

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

As a kid I liked it a fair bit, but looking back as an adult... well, I'm just not much of a fan of the Enterprise-E in general. I don't much care for its interiors, and I don't much care for its exteriors either. I prefer to think of space in Trek as a dangerous place, but I can buy that by the 2360s plenty of local space at least is somewhat less so. Even still, I enjoy the settings more when they're wilder, less tamed, and I think the other shows' ships all feel like they properly reflect that somehow. TNG's really reminds me that things have calmed down in some parts when I consider that Starfleet is kosher with the idea of whole families tagging along and nicely luxurious spacious design, and yeah, it begins to feel like the Love Boat or something.

I can totally respect what they're going for, and even (to a point...) acknowledge the logic in it. But my taste runs with the NX-01, the Enterprise A, Voyager, and above all, the coldly Cardassian DS9.

 

[Orphalesion]

I prefer the 1701-D aesthetic to the 1701-E aesthetic. The former has warmth and character; the latter feels stark and unfriendly. I know that was kind of the point, 1701-E is a battleship after all. But from a gut feeling I know which one I'd rather serve on.

Oh I agree! The Enterprise-D had character and looked like a place people would actually be able to work and live in for an extended amount.

In general I don't understand the distaste for the D's "comfortable" design. Why is it so difficult to believe that in 70+ years technology would advance to make things more comfortable? Or that people might not like their quarters painted in traffic light red?

 

[Smellmet]

D interior over the E all day long. The E just looked plastic and unwelcoming, the D looked tasteful, luxurious yet still just as functional - and what's wrong with that? If I was being asked to spend years of my life on a ship I'd want it to be comfortable. There's no excuse in the 24th Century for it to be like the 'nuclear wessel' in TVH.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I agree the E aesthetic was underwhelming, but I think the DS9 and Voyager aesthetics aged a lot better than the D aesthetic.

 

[C.E. Evans]

There might be some romanticized notion that a starship should be as utilitarian and no frills as possible, but after a few years of that, and it starts feeling like a prison. I think having as much comfort as possible on long-term deep-space missions is crucial for keeping up crew morale (and ultimately, crew performance) and is something that Starfleet is aware of. I think it's a different story for ships that aren't meant for lengthy deployments.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Having lots of leisure ability makes for better television because it enables more exploration of the characters having fun. If we're considering believability against entertainment value, it's more a cost benefit question. Will this extra bulk and energy use be a problem in combat situations? Can we produce two utilitarian ships for the same effort expenditure as we can produce one luxury ship?

My issue with the D aesthetic is more the long smooth beige corridors and 80s deco.

 

[Lance]

There might be some romanticized notion that a starship should be as utilitarian and no frills as possible, but after a few years of that, and it starts feeling like a prison. I think having as much comfort as possible on long-term deep-space missions is crucial for keeping up crew morale (and ultimately, crew performance) and is something that Starfleet is aware of. I think it's a different story for ships that aren't meant for lengthy deployments.

I've seen the case made by actual psychologists that bright primary colors and soft warm decorations would be essential to long term space deployments to stop people going crazy. I believe Gene Roddenberry himself said one of his favorite things about the 1701-D was the wooden railing on the bridge, as it gave the crew a connection to nature.

A stark, utilitarian starship design, while it arguably looks "cooler" on a movie screen, would actually accentuate the crew's inner anxieties. I think the 1701-D aesthetic is soothing and would generally be a very pleasant place to both live & work.