Short answer
When evaluating design models or representations, look beyond the purely visual to understand the intended sensory experience and user interaction.
- Field
- Modelling
- Source
- J of Design Research (2014)
- Method
- Ethnographic observation and qualitative analysis of graphic components from design artifacts.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Early architectural design models, even those appearing purely visual, often encode and communicate multi-sensory experiences and user considerations. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in J of Design Research. Using Ethnographic observation and qualitative analysis of graphic components from design artifacts., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When evaluating design models or representations, look beyond the purely visual to understand the intended sensory experience and user interaction.
Architectural Design Models Convey Multi-Sensory Intentions Beyond Visual Representation
Early architectural design models, even those appearing purely visual, often encode and communicate multi-sensory experiences and user considerations.
J of Design Research · 2014
Key Findings
- 01Graphic components in early architectural design can express multi-sensory design intentions.
- 02Architects consider how users experience space differently, even when not explicitly visualized.
- 03The absence of obvious visual cues does not equate to a lack of consideration for sensory experience.
Application
Design takeaway
When evaluating design models or representations, look beyond the purely visual to understand the intended sensory experience and user interaction.
How to apply
When developing or reviewing design concepts, actively consider and document the intended sensory qualities (e.g., acoustics, texture, temperature) and how they might be perceived by different users, even if not explicitly drawn.
Project actions
- 01When creating models or drawings for your design project, think about how to hint at non-visual experiences.
- 02Consider how different users might interact with your design using senses other than sight.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Ethnographic approach provides real-world context.
- +Analysis of a large number of graphic components.
Limitations
It can be challenging to definitively prove that a visual element was intended to convey a specific sensory experience without direct designer input.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be enhanced through inter-rater agreement on the analysis of graphic components. Validity is supported by the ethnographic context, but the interpretation of implicit meaning can be subjective.
Think critically
To what extent can purely visual design representations effectively communicate complex multi-sensory experiences, and what are the limitations of this communication?
Design Principles
"Design representations are multi-modal communication tools that can encode implicit sensory information."
This challenges the assumption that design models are solely for visual communication. It highlights the importance of understanding the implicit sensory information embedded within design artifacts, influencing how designers and stakeholders perceive and interact with proposed spaces.
What This Means for Your Design
Designers don't just draw what things look like; they also think about how spaces will feel, sound, and be experienced by people, and they put clues about this into their drawings and models, even if it's not obvious.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing how your design models or visualizations communicate intended user experiences, including non-visual aspects.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
In the early stages of my design project, I considered how the chosen materials and forms would not only appear visually but also how they would contribute to the overall sensory experience of the user. This approach aligns with research indicating that design representations can convey multi-sensory intentions beyond explicit visual cues, prompting a deeper consideration of tactile, auditory, and even olfactory aspects of the designed environment.
Source
J of Design Research
Representations of sensory experiences in the early phases of architectural design: there is more than meets the eye
journal · 2014
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about architectural design models convey multi-sensory intentions beyond visual representation?
- When evaluating design models or representations, look beyond the purely visual to understand the intended sensory experience and user interaction. Evidence: J of Design Research (2014).
- Why does "Architectural Design Models Convey Multi-Sensory Intentions Beyond Visual Representation" matter for design?
- This challenges the assumption that design models are solely for visual communication. It highlights the importance of understanding the implicit sensory information embedded within design artifacts, influencing how designers and stakeholders perceive and interact with proposed spaces.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When evaluating design models or representations, look beyond the purely visual to understand the intended sensory experience and user interaction.
- What were the main findings?
- Graphic components in early architectural design can express multi-sensory design intentions.. Architects consider how users experience space differently, even when not explicitly visualized.. The absence of obvious visual cues does not equate to a lack of consideration for sensory experience.
- What research method was used?
- Ethnographic observation and qualitative analysis of graphic components from design artifacts..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2014 journal from J of Design Research.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing or reviewing design concepts, actively consider and document the intended sensory qualities (e.g., acoustics, texture, temperature) and how they might be perceived by different users, even if not explicitly drawn.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on architectural design; findings may not directly translate to other design disciplines without adaptation. The analysis of 'graphic components' might be subjective.