Short answer
Incorporate deliberate pacing and resonant auditory elements into designs to foster deeper emotional engagement and potentially induce states of awe.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- International Journal of Transpersonal Studies (2023)
- Method
- Mixed-methods research
- Sample
- 45 participants
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Artistic performances that integrate elements like slow, deliberate movement and evocative music can create profound emotional experiences for spectators, leading to feelings of awe and modified states of consciousness. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in International Journal of Transpersonal Studies. Using Mixed-methods research with 45 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate deliberate pacing and resonant auditory elements into designs to foster deeper emotional engagement and potentially induce states of awe.
Slow choreography and resonant music can evoke awe and altered states of consciousness in audiences.
Artistic performances that integrate elements like slow, deliberate movement and evocative music can create profound emotional experiences for spectators, leading to feelings of awe and modified states of consciousness.
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies · 2023
Key Findings
- 01The dance installation successfully produced awe-related moments and positive emotions in some spectators.
- 02Spectator narratives frequently described modified states of consciousness.
- 03Key themes included the overall richness of the experience, captivation by the dancers' slowness, and the lingering effect of the music (mantra).
- 04Awe was explicitly viewed as a positive emotion.
Application
Design takeaway
Incorporate deliberate pacing and resonant auditory elements into designs to foster deeper emotional engagement and potentially induce states of awe.
How to apply
When designing interactive exhibits, virtual environments, or even physical products, consider how varying the speed of interaction or incorporating specific soundscapes can influence the user's emotional journey.
Project actions
- 01Consider how the timing and sound of your design might affect user emotions.
- 02Explore how 'slowness' can be a feature, not a bug, in user interaction.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Mixed-methods approach provides both quantitative and qualitative data.
- +Real-world artistic context offers ecological validity.
Limitations
The subjective nature of awe and altered states makes objective measurement challenging.
Reliability & validity
The use of established scales for awe and qualitative analysis of narratives contributes to reliability and validity, though the subjective nature of the experience remains a challenge.
Think critically
To what extent can the findings on awe in an artistic performance context be generalized to other design domains, such as product design or service design?
Design Principles
"Emotional resonance can be amplified through the deliberate manipulation of temporal dynamics and sensory stimuli."
Understanding how specific artistic choices influence audience perception is crucial for designers of immersive experiences, whether in live performance, virtual reality, or interactive installations. This insight can inform the creation of more impactful and emotionally resonant designs.
What This Means for Your Design
Making a performance really slow and using calming, repetitive music can make people feel amazed and like they're in a different state of mind.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify design choices related to pacing, user flow, or auditory feedback aimed at creating specific emotional responses.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This study by Santarpia et al. (2023) highlights the potential of slow choreography and traditional music to evoke awe and altered states of consciousness in audiences. Their findings suggest that deliberate pacing and resonant auditory elements can be powerful tools for designers aiming to create profound emotional experiences, a principle applicable to the design of immersive and engaging user interfaces or interactive installations.
Source
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies
Eliciting awe in the spectator: The case of a Dhrupad-based dance performance
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about slow choreography and resonant music can evoke awe and altered states of consciousness in audiences?
- Incorporate deliberate pacing and resonant auditory elements into designs to foster deeper emotional engagement and potentially induce states of awe. Evidence: International Journal of Transpersonal Studies (2023).
- Why does "Slow choreography and resonant music can evoke awe and altered states of consciousness in audiences." matter for design?
- Understanding how specific artistic choices influence audience perception is crucial for designers of immersive experiences, whether in live performance, virtual reality, or interactive installations. This insight can inform the creation of more impactful and emotionally resonant designs.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Incorporate deliberate pacing and resonant auditory elements into designs to foster deeper emotional engagement and potentially induce states of awe.
- What were the main findings?
- The dance installation successfully produced awe-related moments and positive emotions in some spectators.. Spectator narratives frequently described modified states of consciousness.. Key themes included the overall richness of the experience, captivation by the dancers' slowness, and the lingering effect of the music (mantra).. Awe was explicitly viewed as a positive emotion.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed-methods research with 45 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from International Journal of Transpersonal Studies.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing interactive exhibits, virtual environments, or even physical products, consider how varying the speed of interaction or incorporating specific soundscapes can influence the user's emotional journey.
- What are the limitations?
- The effect was not universal across all participants, suggesting individual differences in receptivity to these stimuli.