Short answer
Consider the subjective, transitional experiences of users as 'imaginal realms' that require specific design considerations for guidance, feedback, and transformation.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- FOCUS (2025)
- Method
- Qualitative textual analysis and comparative phenomenology.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Classic Sufi concepts of 'Barzakh' offer a phenomenological model for understanding liminal or transitional states of experience, which can inform the design of user interfaces and journeys. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in FOCUS. Using Qualitative textual analysis and comparative phenomenology., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Consider the subjective, transitional experiences of users as 'imaginal realms' that require specific design considerations for guidance, feedback, and transformation.
Imaginal Realms: A Framework for Understanding Transitional User Experiences
Classic Sufi concepts of 'Barzakh' offer a phenomenological model for understanding liminal or transitional states of experience, which can inform the design of user interfaces and journeys.
FOCUS · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Barzakh is understood as an ontological imaginal reality where subtle bodies, liminal spaces, and postmortem forms manifest through 'al-khayāl al-muttaṣil'.
- 02Barzakh functions as a 'moral mirror,' objectifying one's deeds and intentions into an encountered imaginal landscape that shapes the soul's experience.
- 03Structural parallels exist between Barzakh and intermediate-realm concepts in other traditions (e.g., Tibetan Buddhism, Judaism), highlighting shared patterns of consciousness transformation and reflective imaginal spaces.
Application
Design takeaway
Consider the subjective, transitional experiences of users as 'imaginal realms' that require specific design considerations for guidance, feedback, and transformation.
How to apply
When designing onboarding flows, error recovery processes, or complex multi-step forms, consider how to represent the user's current state and progress in a way that is both informative and supportive, akin to a 'moral mirror' or guiding imaginal space.
Project actions
- 01When exploring a user problem, consider if there are 'liminal' or transitional phases that are often overlooked.
- 02Use narrative and metaphorical thinking to describe user experiences in these transitional states, drawing inspiration from concepts like 'imaginal realms'.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Offers a novel and interdisciplinary perspective on user experience design.
- +Provides a rich metaphorical framework for understanding complex user states.
Limitations
Directly applying spiritual concepts to user interface design can be challenging due to the subjective and abstract nature of the source material. The 'imaginal' aspect is difficult to quantify.
Reliability & validity
The reliability and validity of applying spiritual phenomenology to design are inherently challenging due to the subjective nature of both the source material and user experience. The findings are primarily interpretive.
Think critically
How can the subjective and spiritual nature of 'imaginal realms' be translated into objective and measurable design outcomes?
Design Principles
"Design for transitional states by externalizing internal user states and providing reflective feedback."
By examining how classical thinkers conceptualized intermediate states of consciousness and reality, designers can gain insights into creating more intuitive and supportive experiences during user transitions, such as onboarding, error states, or complex workflows. This approach encourages empathy for the user's subjective journey.
What This Means for Your Design
Think about how people feel when they are in between stages of a process (like learning something new or fixing a mistake). This research shows that ancient spiritual ideas describe these 'in-between' times as special 'imaginal realms' where your thoughts and actions become real around you. Designers can use this idea to make these tricky times in a product or service feel more understandable and helpful.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference the concept of 'imaginal realms' to frame your understanding of user transitions or moments of uncertainty within your design project.
- 2.Use the 'moral mirror' idea to justify specific feedback mechanisms or progress indicators in your design.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This design project draws inspiration from classical Sufi concepts of 'Barzakh,' an imaginal realm experienced during transitional states. This framework helps to understand user experiences not as linear progressions but as subjective journeys involving the externalization of internal states, akin to a 'moral mirror.' By applying this phenomenological perspective, the design aims to provide more supportive and intuitive guidance during critical user transitions, such as onboarding or error recovery.
Source
FOCUS
Barzakh and the Imaginal Realm: A Phenomenology of Postmortem Experience in Sufism
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about imaginal realms: a framework for understanding transitional user experiences?
- Consider the subjective, transitional experiences of users as 'imaginal realms' that require specific design considerations for guidance, feedback, and transformation. Evidence: FOCUS (2025).
- Why does "Imaginal Realms: A Framework for Understanding Transitional User Experiences" matter for design?
- By examining how classical thinkers conceptualized intermediate states of consciousness and reality, designers can gain insights into creating more intuitive and supportive experiences during user transitions, such as onboarding, error states, or complex workflows. This approach encourages empathy for the user's subjective journey.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Consider the subjective, transitional experiences of users as 'imaginal realms' that require specific design considerations for guidance, feedback, and transformation.
- What were the main findings?
- Barzakh is understood as an ontological imaginal reality where subtle bodies, liminal spaces, and postmortem forms manifest through 'al-khayāl al-muttaṣil'.. Barzakh functions as a 'moral mirror,' objectifying one's deeds and intentions into an encountered imaginal landscape that shapes the soul's experience.. Structural parallels exist between Barzakh and intermediate-realm concepts in other traditions (e.g., Tibetan Buddhism, Judaism), highlighting shared patterns of consciousness transformation and reflective imaginal spaces.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative textual analysis and comparative phenomenology..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2025 journal from FOCUS.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing onboarding flows, error recovery processes, or complex multi-step forms, consider how to represent the user's current state and progress in a way that is both informative and supportive, akin to a 'moral mirror' or guiding imaginal space.
- What are the limitations?
- The abstract and spiritual nature of the source material may present challenges in direct translation to tangible design principles. The 'imaginal' aspect is subjective and difficult to empirically measure in a design context.