Visual Conditioning
I think that digital spaces have conditioned us to imagine physical space in purely visual terms. Our interactions with digital spaces (phones, laptops, etc.) is primarily visual. Google Docs has no audio interface, nor even audio responses to input. GMail at least has an email ping, but unless people are watching YouTube or listening to music, the volume's probably off and no one hears it. Further, even when digital spaces design for audio cues and audio interface systems, they are always secondary to visual cues and systems. There are a few exceptions -- Spotify, YouTube, etc. -- but those can be understood to be intentionally audio-oriented design.
The mental framework that digital spaces encourage in us is a hierarchy of senses. The visual sense is primary, followed by audio, and in rare cases, touch (see: touchscreen laptops, which find limited use outside of visual art). Smell and taste are, by nature of the format, left to the wayside.
Digital spaces ought to be designed with more multi-sensory input, output, and interactivity. Audio interfaces like the nomadic radio are good. What about tactile interfaces?
Physical Space
I'm re-designing my bedroom right now, and I want there to be more to the design than a visual aesthetic. From a sensory perspective, I want to manipulate smell1, sound2, and touch3 also. The visual element is, by the above conditioning, already accounted for. I dislike crumbs and juices in my space, and so taste is omitted.
Beyond static and near-static sensory experiences are dynamic and interactive ones. My curtain opens and closes once each daily -- what ought it sound like? As I move through my space, how does the experience of it change? These questions are relatively unimportant, but interesting regardless.
Essentially, we are conditioned to believe that our physical spaces are purely visual, but they can involve smell (candles), sound (chimes), and touch (soft fabrics, wind) too. The whole sensory experience can nearly be defined.
- The mix of my body scent, perfume, and skin-care products is something. A designed scent may include wall fragrance plug-ins. I prefer candles -- it involves a more pleasing interaction and manipulates a visual element as well.
- I would prefer an open window to the street, but it's Summer now and the AC would suffer it. A fan will be on, often, for sound. Wind is a dynamic element, and can be used in conjunction with wind chimes.
- An initial thought is fabrics (cozy, pillowy, soft, etc.). Also: ergonomics, humidity, temperature, and wind. All of these elements can be controlled.
Personal Space
Here defined as a person and its adornments.
Essentially, a physical space. Like physical spaces, there are multiple sensory attributes, dynamism, interactivity, and various audiences.
Smell -- A mix of hair and skincare products and perfume. I prefer a gourmand palette, especially in the vein of marshmallows, strawberries, and sugar. Currently, Lattafa Yara. On my wishlist: Kayali's Marshmallow 81 and Burberry's Her
Sound -- I wear jhanjar / belled anklets often. Also: the clink of bangles as my hand moves. The core concept here is sonifying movement. It's cute.
Taste -- Crude, but something worth thinking about I suppose. This is about kissing!
Touch -- Both outfits and skin. For outfits, it's about the fabrics and the experience of putting them on and taking them off. For skin, a good skincare routine keeps everything soft, and my dislike of body hair keeps everything smooth.
Visual -- Complex, explored elsewhere. Generally speaking, color palettes (black/white/pink, in that order), shapes, and visual metaphors are a good start.
Song of the Post
ASMR rain sounds on YouTube.