Delft Design Guide | Part 1 | Emerging Design Methods | Multi Senfory Desing – 1.7 Designers who intentionally try to create specific experiences for people, such as delight, trust or the feeling of being cared for, are more likely to succeed if they are aware of the messages conveyed by the different sensory channels and of their contribution to the overall experience. Such a multisensory approach enriches the product experience, avoids unwanted conflicting messages, and results in products that are also comprehensible for users with sensory impairments. Each sensory modality is sensitive to a different type of energy and is stimulated by different product properties. As a consequence, the modalities usually provide different pieces of product information, which may or may not overlap (Schifferstein & Spence, 2008). For instance, a bus stop may look attractive and welcoming, but leave the waiting passenger standing in a cold breeze, next to a smelly trashcan, or with a lot of traffic noise. On the other hand, the colour, taste, and texture of ice cream, the look and feel of its- package, and the crispiness of the biscuit may all contribute to being completely immerged in savouring it. Therefore, the main challenge in Multi Sensory Design (MSD) projects is to come up with an integrated design, in which all sensory impressions support the expression of the product. Hendrik Schifferstein initiated the development of the MSD approach at TU Delft. He developed the first MSD elective course for Master students in cooperation with Marieke Sonneveld and Geke Ludden in 2004. Since 2008 the MSD approach is also being used in projects for industrial companies Outline of the MSD approach 1. Selecting the target expression MSD takes the expression of the object (e.g., eagerness, cheerfulness, innocence) as the design starting point (Sonneveld et al., 2008). In a business context, the target expression may be provided by the marketing department on the basis of consumer research. Alternatively, you may start out from the effect you want to achieve among future users (e.g., feeling safe, inspire), and determine which object and interaction qualities are needed to achieve the desired effect. 2. Conceptual exploration After the target expression has been selected, you need to develop an understanding of this expression. You may start out by writing down the associations that come to mind when thinking about this expression. Making a collage can support this process. What does the expression make you think of? 3. Sensory exploration Subsequently, you collect samples that seem to evoke the target expression (figure 1) for different sensory modalities (e.g., pictures, materials, fragrances, fabrics, computer sounds, foods, plants). How does the target expression feel, sound, smell, and look? While exploring the world, you should be curious about the sensory properties of objects, especially the ones people hardly ever seem to pay attention to: In what ways can you pick up or manipulate an object? What sounds can it produce? How does it feel if you touch it in different ways? What does it smell like? Try to go beyond obvious choices: objects that look tough may actually feel quite elegant! 4. Sensory Analysis In the next step you try to describe and understand the relationships between the perceived sensory properties and the product expression. Try to find out why certain samples seem related to a specific expression and try to determine the physical properties that evoke the target expression. During this process, you may discover that an expression can manifest itself in different ways: Elegance may be related to flowing, uninterrupted movements, but also to simple and straightforward solutions. 5. Mind map The results of the previous stages serve as the starting point for a mind map. This mind map organises the information that was acquired in the previous stages, while trying to maintain the richness of the data. The target expression is displayed in the centre of the map, where several outward branches connect Multi Sensory Design
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Delft Design Guide | Part 1 | Emerging Design Methods | Multi Senfory Desing – 1.7
Designers who intentionally try to create specific
experiences for people, such as delight, trust or the
feeling of being cared for, are more likely to succeed
if they are aware of the messages conveyed by the
different sensory channels and of their contribution to
the overall experience. Such a multisensory approach
enriches the product experience, avoids unwanted
conflicting messages, and results in products that
are also comprehensible for users with sensory
impairments.
Each sensory modality is sensitive to a different
type of energy and is stimulated by different product
properties. As a consequence, the modalities usually
provide different pieces of product information, which
may or may not overlap (Schifferstein & Spence,
2008).
For instance, a bus stop may look attractive and
welcoming, but leave the waiting passenger standing
in a cold breeze, next to a smelly trashcan, or with
a lot of traffic noise. On the other hand, the colour,
taste, and texture of ice cream, the look and feel
of its- package, and the crispiness of the biscuit
may all contribute to being completely immerged in
savouring it. Therefore, the main challenge in Multi
Sensory Design (MSD) projects is to come up with an
integrated design, in which all sensory impressions
support the expression of the product.
Hendrik Schifferstein initiated the development of
the MSD approach at TU Delft. He developed the
first MSD elective course for Master students in
cooperation with Marieke Sonneveld and Geke Ludden
in 2004. Since 2008 the MSD approach is also being
used in projects for industrial companies
Outline of the MSD approach
1. Selecting the target expression
MSD takes the expression of the object (e.g.,
eagerness, cheerfulness, innocence) as the design
starting point (Sonneveld et al., 2008). In a business
context, the target expression may be provided by
the marketing department on the basis of consumer
research. Alternatively, you may start out from the
effect you want to achieve among future users (e.g.,
feeling safe, inspire), and determine which object
and interaction qualities are needed to achieve the
desired effect.
2. Conceptual exploration
After the target expression has been selected, you
need to develop an understanding of this expression.
You may start out by writing down the associations
that come to mind when thinking about this
expression. Making a collage can support this process.
What does the expression make you think of?
3. Sensory exploration
Subsequently, you collect samples that seem to evoke
the target expression (figure 1) for different sensory