Virtual simulation-based online courses have been widely adopted across industries, particularly in high-risk, highly destructive, and practice-intensive fields such as engineering, medicine, and military applications. These courses provide immersive experiences that simulate real-world scenarios. However, previous virtual simulation course design primarily focused on authenticity and practicality, often neglecting aesthetic considerations. This resulted in monotonous, uninspiring environments that lacked visual appeal. The conflict between virtual art creation and traditional aesthetic experiences further diminished students' genuine aesthetic engagement, weakened their critical thinking skills, and hindered knowledge retention. This paper explores the application of aesthetics in digital media art virtual simulation course design through examining the evolution from aesthetic experience to aesthetic cognition. By enhancing visual appeal in course environments, it aims to boost student interest, cultivate aesthetic appreciation, and strengthen critical reflection abilities.