What's Empathy got to do with Interior Design?
You are probably thinking, 'what's empathy got to do with interior design'? What a weird question. But you know when a person asks a seemingly obscure question, there's always an interesting answer that follows. It's the same for this question. Once you finish reading this, you will never unsee what you are about to see. Interior designers do really think things through. If you have ever gone to a restaurant, hotel, night club, cafe or any physical enterprise, you are about to be amazed by the attention to detail that goes into designing interiors.
On a similar but different note, have you ever renovated your own space? With more time on our hands lately, this might perhaps be the perfect chance. What tools did or would you use to come up with a style you like? Would empathy be one of them, how about sympathy? Yes I know it doesn't seem connected right? So you finally ask, what's empathy got to do with interior design? What empathy has to do with Interior Design isn't always an obvious one for most. But it's a natural tool interior designers use to come up with amazing suitable designs. By the end of this, you will definitely see how it relates. And you can use some of these tips to renovate your space to give you that much more happiness.
My name is Melody and I am a creator. I believe that we all hold creative potential...perhaps a superpower? How you determine that potential is a matter of perception. Lorraine has mentioned me a few times on the blog (#blogfamous), here https://www.lorraine-moalosi.com/theatre-time-after-a-year/ and here https://www.lorraine-moalosi.com/my-week-in-photos/. It's finally great to put a face to the name right? By profession and interest, I am a designer of interior spaces. However, I don't limit myself to this. Interior design is just the avenue that I chose to create within.
What is your Superpower?
Before I delve right into this, I firstly want to thank my dear friend Lorraine for sharing her little bit of internet real estate with me. Who like me has a sharing kinda friend like her? Could that be empathy making an appearance already before we've even. We're open to sharing here too! Starting with my own approach to Interior Design, using EMPATHY.
But what is empathy?
I believe that empathy comes from connecting with people and their natural disposition. Keep reading to find out more how this connection brings about empathy that leads to incredible interior design.
But First:-
LET'S GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING
What inspires me as an interior designer
We all need some inspiration. How else would we be creative individuals? However, as a designer mine comes from sources seemingly unrelated to design. Firstly, an unashamed fondness of TRAVEL. Not just a bucket list, but 75 cities and counting. Also comes gastronomy, otherwise known as 'all things food'. It's amazing how art can appear on a plate, and soon in your stomach. Imagine that!
Talking about art. A wander around a museum or an Italian opera, all these artistic expressions inspire my work and as a result , my perspective. Also a good bottle of red wine has been known to produce results... But what seems to top, is observing human behaviours. Yes, people-watching is my thing. I do indulge, but I'm not creepy!
This is why connection is important:-
When you know a person, you find out their needs
Sitting in a piazza in Venice, a few months ago, drinking coffee, of course. I learnt that google maps don’t work in Venice!! That getting lost in Venice is a part of its romantic charm. Also that we all have an unspoken desire to connect with other people. Even if it's to ask for directions. Though one might find that connection, a necessity!
Experiencing life builds an appreciation. In other words, as we understand others on a personal level, we begin to identify with their needs. Right down to what makes them tick!
Why are we touchy feely about materials? And why do we appreciate them.
I recently spent time in Bali. A time when travel didn't include wearing a face mask! As a result of this time, I learnt about different materials they used, as well as their uses and how they highlight the culture of the Balinese people. Not to mention their exquisite and innovative craftsmanship. Think soft materials, luxurious textiles like throws and drapes. Then to the more solid ones like natural woods, stone, glass, and one of my favourite, textured rattan. The feel of rattan on the hands is a rough yet satisfying texture, but the very roughness of it can be paired up fantastically with the soft layers of dreamy velvet and satin pillows.
We're naturally inquisitive about “how things are made, where and by whom?” Isn't it hard to resist a juicy story, a connection perhaps?
You couldn't walk into one of the shops in Seminyak in Bali, and not make some kind of a connection. Handmade materials are always an invitation to a cheeky conversation. Understanding where things come from and recognising the people who turn them into beautiful items. This responsive sentiment is found in empathy. For instance, we cherish our DIY crafts and decorating projects. Simply refusing to get rid of them when they are worn out and no longer matching with anything else? It's the very same reason. We know and understand the story behind them.
DESIGN BY FUNCTION AND TASK
Why a sympathetic approach is important
So I used to think that I merely enjoyed gorgeous looking interiors. Don't we all? Opulent and well-put interiors. A considered use of colour, texture, rhythm, shape and form. These are some of the Design Principles a designer will use to come up with a good design. It's more like the 'technical bits' in a car manual. How it started from a screw to a whole car. There is a process.
Believe me, Interior Design is more than choosing paints and cushions!
When an interior fails to work for what we use it for, however, pretty it may be, I would consider it to be art. Something to be looked at and not touched. Designing effectively for our day to day tasks, makes those otherwise mundane tasks that much more bearable. Leaving us time to enjoy the important things in life.
Good design facilitates human experiences and tasks. To achieve this, one engages design through the lens of compassion.
An insight on Japanese approach to designing for day to day tasks
Japanese design is one that respects our everyday rituals to a level of excellence. Who knew that eating, bathing and resting could be the 'simpler things in life' which bring much joy and fulfilment? But this depends on how special you make these rituals.
The restaurant above features discrete booth seating, as you dine Japanese-style. Cotton drapes flank the entrance of each booth to facilitate the function of dining. A simple yet effective consideration.The experience is complete with a personal chef preparing market-fresh produce right on your table. I must say however that this was a pricey restaurant because 'a personal Chef' costs lots right! Nevertheless, the design considers your privacy, so you can indulge or stuff yourself fully into the personal-chef experience, without other diners looking on. No judgement here. I'm an unashamed foodie!
All this talk of food is taking me back to the scene of that crime...
Moving on, but still in Japan, here technology is utilised in surprising complexity. Think world-class toilets!! Yes, I said toilets! Toilets feature temperature controlled seats, cleaning options as well as pleasant sound effect controls to save your blushes as you partake in the very natural daily task! The level of hygiene is impeccable. Toilets are self cleaned and/or manually cleaned with precision and frequency. Don't tell me that doesn't impress!
Understanding such day to day functions, and turning somewhat mundane tasks into special moments, is designing with consideration.
PUT SOME FEELINGS INTO IT
Have you ever walked into an interior and felt a particular way about it? Did it feel inviting or not? And how about cosy or cold?
We communicate life through our senses. Without visual, auditory, gustatory [taste], smell and touch senses, we wouldn’t be able to navigate our environments efficiently. We also use more complex senses that allow us to detect temperature, pain, danger, balance or the lack of it.
What's a "mood board" and why is it called that?
So a Mood-board is a simple tool used in Interior Design, similar to a vision-board. Except that images represent a ‘feeling’ or ‘atmosphere’ you are trying to bring to life. One might say, It identifies the senses through a physical form.
Take this mood-board for instance. Think of words you would use to describe what you are seeing. What are your senses informing you about it? Perhaps something is missing. Could it do with a darker metal than shimmery copper or a soft fabrics? How about smell. Is there an aroma, a freshness or maybe none at all ? This helps you to know your design style. Trust me there are a lot out there, but you like what you like right? and this is a simple tool to guide you to what you like. I'd be interested to know what you experienced. So please leave a comment down below.
So how else do senses play out in design?
Some restaurants and cafe's use hard material furniture, so you don't get too comfortable and stay all-day. It's finish your meal and out you go! Whilst luxury hotels want you to stay a bit more. Their beds with plumb mattresses and opulent bed linens. I mean do I have to check-out? What's one more night in a pricey hotel. You only live once...This too is a play on our senses. And I'm liking this game!
Why are we drawn to nature, what's the appreciation?
Does the cafe above invite you to come in? And what if I told you it was a very hot day?
I passed this cute cafe off a bustling street in Hoi An, some months ago. Needless to say, it was the weather for a cold beverage. I guess I was naturally drawn in. The plants and greenery create an oasis of a garden. While natural tones in the furniture add an earthy feel allowing you to experience nature, in a city. I could have gone to any other of the many cafes , but I guess this one appealed more to my senses. Perhaps I have been tricked once again ...
Next time you enter into a place, catch some feelings. Let me know how you felt and remember to leave a comment.
Empathy is, therefore, a channel through which sensory design can be particularly effective. Using furniture, decoration and tools in a considered manner.
MAKE A HUMAN CONNECTION.
Bringing people together is what this next cafe succeeds in doing.
I stopped here for a cool-down, as you do. Stepping into a fabulously playful courtyard. Alas, they had a swing seat! I couldn't push myself on it of course So what does a human do? I struck a conversation with a fabulous lady who was waiting her turn. As she pushed me, I learnt that she was from America, living and studying in China. A decision she made, upped and just did! And I met her on their 'Bali girls trip'. I mean, would I have ever walked up to a person and got all this? Probably not. Could I say that swing bought us into an unexpectedly wonderful conversation with one another? Well yes!
https://www.kyndcommunity.com
Could this be another deliberate design tool? Encouraging conversations, and playfulness. Perhaps an experience, later to be a treasured memory.
Furthermore this, cafes' narrow communal-style tables, kinda force you to be up-close and personal with those at the same table. Nonetheless, it can't be that bad? To speak to the human sitting right next to you, than the ones miles away as you 'post' photos on social media. I gladly chose to connect with those in front of me. Are you still asking what's empathy got to do with interior design? It has become a bit more obvious by now right? Hidden in plain sight is what I will say!
Check out this amazing cafe at https://www.kyndcommunity.com/. Prepare to be amazed!!
An ice-breaker conversation between strangers
We generally spend over 90% of out time indoors, between, work and life itself. So a good interior design will prioritise these functions and well as safety and well being aspects. An interior with a pleasant view is automatically the most desirable because it engages the outside which has physiological benefits. Meanwhile slippery or shiny surfaces, or a lack of indoor temperature control, presents safety and comfort concerns.
In conclusion, the answer to the question, what's empathy got to do with interior design is this. Interrogating practicalities of a space involves stepping into a persons' shoes and literally walking their day to day movements and determining if a space works for them. Most of you are probably designing for yourself and will wonder if this counts in your case. The answer is an emphatic yes!! You have to be empathetic towards yourself. Determine if a space will work for you by actually walking in the shoes of the you who will have to live in that space. Especially in recent times where we are almost confined to our four walls/fences. How can you make your space work for you to bring you vitality, practicality, connection and engage all your senses?
This intimate observation and interrogation, no doubt requires an approach of empathy.
This was the most beautiful sunset I ever saw. Nature is such a creator! and we too can take inspiration.
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