Designer Thoughts: Neuroaesthetics is an interdisciplinary field that explores the relationship between aesthetics, the brain, and the perception of beauty. In the context of architectural and interior design, neuroaesthetics can provide insights into how certain design elements elicit emotional responses and affect our wellbeing.
Neuroaesthetics is such an incredible subject that I am quite passionate about, it's not only fascinating, but it also has a huge impact on our mental health and overall well-being as individuals. It is one of the main reasons I pursued a career in the built environment and design field. Here I will go through a few brief notes on how the study of neuroaesthetics becomes a valuable tool when designing spaces.
BIOPHILIC DESIGN
One key concept in neuroaesthetics is the idea of "biophilic design" which suggests that humans have an innate and deep rooted connection to nature, (and if you think about it, is pretty obvious and makes a lot of sense). Incorporating nature-inspired elements like natural light, plants, and organic materials into our indoor spaces can boost the overall beauty and make us feel relaxed and happy, therefore overall better humans … I love it!
COLOUR
Colour plays a significant role in both interior design and architecture. Neuroaesthetics studies have shown that different colours can evoke specific emotions and alter mood. In colour psychology, for example, warm colours like red and orange can create a feeling of excitement or energy, while cool colors like blue and green can promote calmness and tranquility. But the subtle psychological impact of colour is influenced by various factors such as tone, texture, context, and lighting. As a result, it's a nuanced process that goes beyond simply expecting colours to evoke emotions. For example, in interior design, earth tones with warm white lighting (my favourite) can be used to create a calming, quietly luxurious and inviting ambiance. By carefully selecting and applying colours, good designers can create spaces that elicit the desired emotional response from their clients.
SYMMETRY & BALANCE
Another important aspect of neuroaesthetics in design is the concept of symmetry and balance. Research has shown that humans absolutely love symmetrical and balanced forms. It's as though our brains are hardwired to find them beautiful, pleasing and harmonious. So, if we incorporate symmetry into architectural structures and interior layouts, we can take their aesthetic appeal to a whole new level. It's just incredible how something as simple as symmetry (or well executed asymmetry - my personal favourite) can make everything so much more pleasing to the eye.
LIGHTING
Moreover, neuroaesthetics highlights the profound importance of lighting in design. The various lighting conditions have a remarkable impact on human perception and emotional journey. It's truly amazing how natural light, for instance, is universally adored as it boosts our mood and enhances our overall sense of happiness. And let's not forget about the colour temperature of lighting … whether it's warm or cool, it has the power to evoke diverse emotional responses and completely transform the visual ambiance of any given space.
To sum it up, neuroaesthetics gives us some really interesting information about how our brains react to different design elements in interior spaces and architecture. It's truly amazing how beauty has such a profound impact on us and captures our attention in every single aspect of life.
It's like anything aesthetically pleasing has this incredible power to uplift our spirits and make us feel joyful and content.
I love being surrounded by the beauty of nature, meaningful and intentional aesthetics, and of course the beauty of design, and I love to create this for my clients. When designers have a good understanding of how our brains are wired, and how we perceive and respond to these elements, they can create environments that boost well-being, make things look better, and give us an overall better experience.
Our home is our own little safe haven, place of solace and refuge. We spend so much time in them and they're the place where we interact the most in our whole lives. Our surroundings have such a big impact on us, which is why my team and I love creating homes that help our clients live their best lives, love their lifestyle and nurture their wellbeing.
Don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your upcoming project.
' Elevated Designs, Tailored Services, Bringing Your Dreams and Visions to Life '
Comments