Have Your Say… How can design evoke emotion?

This month Design Insider will be asking ‘How can design evoke emotion?’

We welcome you to join the discussion by leaving your opinion in a comment at the end of the article.  In what ways can design evoke emotion?  What are the benefits of creating designs that evoke emotion? We would love to hear about your examples, let us know!!

 

Signe Fink Nørgaard, Designer, Ege

Operating in the tension field between art and design, Danish cabinetmaker and designer Benjamin Nordsmark speaks right to my heart with his objects for PTSD – An Art Project. Inspired by war veterans he has created five heavy items reflecting his thoughts about everyday objects suddenly seen in another light when returning to normal day life.

‘I feel very drawn by these pieces. Though hidden a little bit the functionality is obviously present but it makes room for an interesting aesthetic with a symbolic value making you look and think twice.’

 

Gurvinder Khurana, Director & Co-Founder, align

Many of our projects for tech and media clients are high-energy and colourful, looking to stimulate and energise, so this workspace for Cathay Pacific was a nice alternative and sought to inspire calm and serenity in those who work there.

‘All design evokes some kind of emotion – even bad design. A poorly-designed space can make people bored, irritated, claustrophobic or depressed, so it’s very important for designers to be aware of emotional stimuli. Once, product, retail and hospitality design did this more than workspace, because emotional reactions were deemed a selling tool in these areas, but workspace design has come a long way since in comprehending how the experience of being in or moving through space is as emotional as it is functional.’

 

Carolyn Mitchell, Sales Director, Style Library Contract

Style Library Contract really believe in the power of design and how it effects our emotions.

‘It’s true – good design can stir our emotions. We’ve all felt that sense of awe when entering a perfectly designed space. At Style Library Contract, we experience first-hand how interior design can awaken our senses and create a good feel factor across our commercial sectors. We love working with our clients to create interior spaces that mean something. Each of our brands has its own unique personality, from Anthology’s edgy contemporary textured wallpapers to Zoffany’s luxurious damasks, inspired by our very own design archives. Just like our clients, we’re passionate about design and we work together to create inspirational spaces.’

How do you think design can evoke emotion? Please let us know in the comments section below of on twitter @DesignInsider1