Good Design and Science: Are they Linked?
A couple of months ago I was listening to yet another Podcast that left me in deep thoughts. So much so, that I ended up running an additional 30 or so minutes to actually reflect on what this person was saying and how it applies to my world. If you know me at all, I frequently come home after a long run feeling deeply inspired and affected by what I had been listening to. So much so that I think there are many times when my husband wishes that he wasn’t in the kitchen when I barrel through the door, for in fear that I will go on a long-winded explanation of another thing that we need to change about how we live or another book that I need to pick up.
As a former social scientist, I’m a deep thinker and analyst. I never take what is going on in life for face value, I’m always looking for a deeper meaning and looking into the why or why not in life. This is true in both my personal and professional life. That’s why this particular interview with Walter Isaacson, author and journalist left me thinking.
Walter Isaacson was interviewed to discuss his latest book Code Breaker, as well as his former biographies on Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and Leonardo DiVinci. What really connected to me was how each of these profound individuals linked their creativity and imagination to science for a deeper understanding and explanation of what they were seeking to explain and create. I’m not a scientist by any means of the definition, but what I do have in common with this way of thinking, is I’m always asking questions and seeking answers to a number of ‘why’ questions. Let’s take this concept and apply it to my career as a designer.
We all know that good design leads to amazing psychological benefits. For a quick example, we know that a comfortable chair is good for the body and in turn helps one psychologically. Even more important, in the case of a Primary Bedroom, formerly referred to as the Master Bedroom, good design can help induce a good night’s sleep. Magic to my ears! Who isn’t on a quest for an amazing night’s sleep these days? Let’s take this connection of design and the above facets of science even further. I propose that instead of looking at how design affects our psychological well-being, let’s instead delve deep into the process that we should take in order to meet this euphoric outcome. Are the steps the same for everyone? How do following the trends align with this approach?
Let me start by delving into my own design dilemma. We are in need of new kitchen chairs. Ours are falling apart and are in desperate need to be redone or replaced. At first thought, you might think that this should be a simple endeavour for me, particularly seeing that I’m a designer. But, it’s not!! For those of you who don’t know alot about our family. Food is at the centre of it. My husband and children are absolutely in love with food, different types of cuisine and making it. I’m extremely lucky to be married to a man who never complains to cook a meal and actually volunteers and looks forward to making difficult and new recipes. As you know, with good food being made, there is always a family dinner in store and thankfully lot’s of conversation. That’s why the chairs are so important! They need to be comfortable so that our kids will sit for extended periods at the table. Meal time is one of the few moments in the day where our kids actually want to communicate with each other and us, their parents! While we don’t have family dinners every day, when we do I love that they will take their time and relax at the table, tell us funny stories about their days, their views on issues in the world and so much more. These times are so important to the psychological well being of all of us. In our hectic lives, we need this time together to connect. That’s why it is so important that we find a chair that meets our physiological criteria, that will ultimately meet our psychological well being. On top of it, I need it to tie in with the overall style and feeling of the space and tick off my boxes in terms of a well made, sustainable and locally produced product. Not as easy as it sounds is it?
On the quest of the ideal chair here are some of the questions that I asked myself, the kids and Joe to get started. What is more important, form or function? Comfort or style? In order to sit at the table for extended periods of time, how does it need to feel? I then went online and downloaded my top favorites that would tick their boxes, but before I shared them, I had to make sure that they met all of my needs of course! Are they easy to clean? Do they look good with the table? Will they look good with the rest of the space? Do they meet my environment and sustainable criteria? Will I love then for years and years? Do they work within our budget? Do they fill my heart?
This isn’t just about picking a kitchen chair I’ve come to realize. For our family it’s so much more than just the chair itself. If the chairs weren’t being used all of the time, they wouldn’t matter as much, but for our family they are and hence their importance. For my psychological well being these chairs need to look good, fit within our style, and be comfortable. It could have been easy for me to pick up some chairs quickly and bring them home without asking my family about what they wanted and needed. Yes, they would have looked good, but that wouldn’t have been a good design because most of us would have hated sitting on them and our meal times would have likely shortened as a result. It’s true that good design and elements of science are intertwined, now how do I serve my client’s needs the same way? I know and understand my family deeply. What questions should I ask without getting too personal?
Here’s what I’m thinking:
On a scale of 1-10 how important are incorporating trends into your design?
What are the most important rooms in our house and why?
What emotions do you want to evoke in yourself when you are in your house? Joy, comfort, relaxation, pride
What colours bring you joy?
What colours bring you calmness?
What textures give you comfort? Make your skin crawl.
What is your favourite part of your home? The property? The Layout? The Size? A particular room? A particular piece of furniture or accessory?
What’s your ideal chair and why?
What’s your most important sense in your home? Smell? Touch? See? Or Hear?
As a design professional we should always delve into our client’s lifestyles, personal needs and style prior to starting one’s design plan. I tell my clients that I’m designing their home for them and to feel like their home and special place, not mine. My job is to not just create a beautiful and functional space, but to create one that fills their hearts. A home should always feel calming, nurturing and a safe space for one to unwind and feel their best. Your home should meet the needs of your senses and when it doesn’t it doesn’t feel right. Asking these questions, along with many more, are on track to create a great design for my client’s.
It really is so much more than picking a pretty piece of furniture, good design needs to feel right. For some the perfect kitchen chair won’t matter to their psychological needs, they might need the perfect sofa for cuddling with their large dog, or a bed that is tall so that they can get in and out of it easily because of physical restraints. Each person is different and it’s my job to find out what ticks off their boxes. I’m on a mission to level up my design. There is no separating design and science for me ever again. The two are too deeply connected. Now more than ever we understand the importance of a home that meets our needs. It’s no longer as simple as picking a pretty piece of furniture or designing a kitchen that meets current trends. It needs to be so much more.