genericlooking

Genericlooking is an informal, often humorous adjective used in online discussion to describe something that appears indistinguishably ordinary or lacking distinctive features. It conveys a sense that the subject simply adheres to common templates rather than offering a unique identity.

The term is a compound of generic and looking and has appeared across forums, social media, and critique threads during the past decade or more. It is not part of formal dictionaries or standard style guides, but it is widely understood in digital culture.

In practice, genericlooking is used to critique visual design, character design, branding, or user interfaces that rely on stock silhouettes, conventional tropes, or unremarkable color palettes. It can describe a logo that resembles a dozen others, a character with a nondescript outfit, or a UI that lacks distinctive typographic or color cues.

Because it is subjective, the term can be controversial or vague, and its usefulness depends on shared standards for what counts as distinctive or memorable in a given context.

Related concepts include cookie-cutter design, blandness, stock imagery, and template aesthetics.