I govern my design aesthetic under the harmony of Principle (integrity), Pattern (form), and Purpose (function).
I believe a strong interaction between principle and purpose can yield a boring product. Similarly, I believe a strong interaction between principle and pattern can yield some serious eye candy. Likewise, I believe that a strong interaction between pattern and purpose can yield more conceptual designs.
However, by adding a little chaos into the equation… in particularly with the pattern and purpose, the result can be pointless and confusing. Similarly, when that same chaos is added to a conceptual idea, I have discovered some pleasant surprises. Sometimes I do surprise myself.