Short answer
Incorporate a holistic sensory strategy into design projects, moving beyond visual-first thinking to create richer, more impactful user experiences.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Cognitive Research Principles and Implications (2020)
- Method
- Literature Review and Synthesis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Architectural design can be significantly enhanced by integrating an understanding of how multiple senses interact, moving beyond a sole reliance on visual perception. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Cognitive Research Principles and Implications. Using Literature review and synthesis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate a holistic sensory strategy into design projects, moving beyond visual-first thinking to create richer, more impactful user experiences.
Designing for the Multisensory Mind: Beyond Visual Dominance in Architecture
Architectural design can be significantly enhanced by integrating an understanding of how multiple senses interact, moving beyond a sole reliance on visual perception.
Cognitive Research Principles and Implications · 2020
Key Findings
- 01Human perception is fundamentally multisensory, with significant crossmodal interactions influencing environmental experience.
- 02Visual dominance in traditional architectural practice overlooks powerful synergies between senses, such as the link between lighting color and thermal comfort, or sound and perceived safety.
- 03Understanding crossmodal correspondences and multisensory integration is crucial for unlocking innovative design opportunities.
Application
Design takeaway
Incorporate a holistic sensory strategy into design projects, moving beyond visual-first thinking to create richer, more impactful user experiences.
How to apply
When designing any space, consciously consider how users will experience it through sound, touch, and smell, in addition to sight. Test these sensory elements in combination.
Project actions
- 01When evaluating existing spaces, consider the sensory experience beyond the visual.
- 02In your design proposals, explicitly detail the intended sensory experience and how different senses will interact.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive review of a broad field of research.
- +Highlights the interdisciplinary nature of design.
Limitations
It can be challenging to accurately replicate and test complex multisensory interactions in a design project setting.
Reliability & validity
The reliability and validity of findings depend on the quality and rigor of the original studies reviewed. The synthesis itself aims for comprehensive coverage.
Think critically
To what extent can the principles of multisensory integration be applied to digital interfaces, and what are the unique challenges and opportunities in that domain?
Design Principles
"Design for multisensory integration to enhance user experience and environmental perception."
Contemporary design often prioritizes visual aesthetics, neglecting the profound impact of sound, touch, smell, and even taste on user experience. Embracing a multisensory approach can lead to spaces that are more engaging, comfortable, and supportive of cognitive and emotional well-being.
What This Means for Your Design
Think about how a space feels, sounds, and smells, not just how it looks. Combining these senses can make a big difference to how people feel and behave in a place.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this research when discussing the importance of a holistic user experience in your design process.
- 2.Use the findings to justify design choices that address multiple senses.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the critical need to move beyond a visually-dominated design approach. By recognizing the fundamentally multisensory nature of human perception, designers can create environments that are more responsive to user needs, fostering enhanced cognitive, emotional, and social experiences through thoughtful integration of sound, touch, and smell alongside visual elements.
Source
Cognitive Research Principles and Implications
Senses of place: architectural design for the multisensory mind
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about designing for the multisensory mind: beyond visual dominance in architecture?
- Incorporate a holistic sensory strategy into design projects, moving beyond visual-first thinking to create richer, more impactful user experiences. Evidence: Cognitive Research Principles and Implications (2020).
- Why does "Designing for the Multisensory Mind: Beyond Visual Dominance in Architecture" matter for design?
- Contemporary design often prioritizes visual aesthetics, neglecting the profound impact of sound, touch, smell, and even taste on user experience. Embracing a multisensory approach can lead to spaces that are more engaging, comfortable, and supportive of cognitive and emotional well-being.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Incorporate a holistic sensory strategy into design projects, moving beyond visual-first thinking to create richer, more impactful user experiences.
- What were the main findings?
- Human perception is fundamentally multisensory, with significant crossmodal interactions influencing environmental experience.. Visual dominance in traditional architectural practice overlooks powerful synergies between senses, such as the link between lighting color and thermal comfort, or sound and perceived safety.. Understanding crossmodal correspondences and multisensory integration is crucial for unlocking innovative design opportunities.
- What research method was used?
- Literature Review and Synthesis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Cognitive Research Principles and Implications.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing any space, consciously consider how users will experience it through sound, touch, and smell, in addition to sight. Test these sensory elements in combination.
- What are the limitations?
- The review focuses on existing research and does not present new empirical data. Specific applications may vary depending on the project context and user group.