The Consumer Aesthetic Research Institute (or CARI) is an online repository of user researched aesthetic movements in 'consumer ephemera'. Think menus, advertisement, packaging, front covers... the kinds of media that are typically consumed, then arguably forgotten. These aesthetics or 'vibes' are less well understood that artistic movements (eg impressionism, surrealism, socialist realism), yet completely shape our lives in a myriad of different ways.
These aesthetics will be a perfect starting point for any practical work you complete, when searching for a distinctive aesthetic. It's also fascinating to search for your favorite media and to consider what aesthetic it aligns with.