As designers, we are tasked with shaping the physical future – but how often do we genuinely contemplate its full sensory spectrum? What will it look, sound, taste, smell and feel like?
This article explores the intricate relationship between sensory design and experience and the importance of human perception in design.
Why does multi-sensory design matter? Our brains possess the remarkable ability to overlay reality, filling gaps in sensory input to create cohesive experiences. Reality is not merely what our sensory organs perceive; it’s a complex construction by our brains, which often have to edit or guess to make sense of confusing inputs. For instance, a room might feel loud or calming depending on both its design and our previous experiences in similar spaces.
Our experiences are thus a blend of perception and expectation, influenced heavily by past interactions. Design can play a crucial role in guiding these perceptions, helping to craft spaces that align with or challenge our constructed realities, enhancing our engagement with the environment. This could involve using light in ways that make spaces feel larger or warmer, or employing textures that evoke comfort or alertness. Another example could be unexpected colour contrasts or unconventional layouts that can stimulate curiosity and prompt a deeper interaction with the space, potentially reshaping users’ perceptions and experiences.
Such environments do more than simply fulfil functional needs; they evoke emotions and responses that enhance our connection to the space. Through thoughtful design, we can engineer environments that meet the practical demands of daily life, enrich our sensory experience and broaden our understanding of what spaces can be. This approach reinforces our current perceptions and opens us up to new ways of experiencing and interacting with our surroundings.
Pretty cool, right?
Epic, Melbourne 
Adobe, Union Square New York Human-centric design prioritises the impact of human perception on our understanding of spaces. Recognising the depth of human interaction with environments allows designers to create spaces that truly reflect and help shape human behaviour and needs.
Adobe, Times Square New York This approach emphasises that each design choice must consider how people engage with their environments emotionally, cognitively and physically.
By prioritising human needs and behaviours, designers can create environments that truly mirror and support the way individuals interact with and respond to their surroundings. This focus ensures that spaces are not only visually appealing but also deeply resonant and functionally attuned to the daily lives and activities of their users, supporting environments that enhance wellbeing and productivity.
Each floor we designed for our Bay Area client embodies a unique community, supporting connections among people, their surroundings and nature. Each community feeds into the next with room for individuality within the larger collective. 
Our design for Match Group features a playful, expressive environment that engages the senses with varied lighting, colour and biophilic elements. Comforting arches and warm tones create an inviting atmosphere. Design can solve problems in unfamiliar environments, enhancing cognitive comfort through a mix of familiar and novel elements. By introducing both recognisable and new aspects into a space, designers can ease transitions while encouraging curiosity and exploration, which are crucial for dynamic and evolving workplaces.
In addition to easing cognitive transitions, multi-sensory design can significantly influence user behaviour and emotional responses. For instance, integrating elements such as natural light, familiar textures and intuitive layouts can reduce feelings of disorientation and stress, making the space more accessible and inviting. At the same time, introducing features like interactive installations or unexpected art pieces can stimulate mental engagement and creativity.
This careful balance between comfort and stimulation encourages users to explore and fully engage with their environment, sparking a sense of discovery and personal connection to the space.
In design, a rational, analytical approach is important to bring balance to our human-centred design approach, which is rooted in the emotive.
This process requires a deep understanding of how sensory stimuli—such as sound, scent and light—impact human psychology and behaviour. For instance, when choosing sounds for privacy, designers consider the acoustical properties of the space and the psychological impact of various soundscapes. Opting for natural sounds like flowing water or rustling leaves, rather than generic white noise, can create a calming and more organically private atmosphere.
Amway, Guangzhou Similarly, exploring the use of scents in workplaces—often underutilised outside of retail and hospitality—can evoke powerful memories and emotional responses, enhancing a sense of belonging and engagement. Scents like coffee or lavender can trigger relaxation and improve focus, transforming an ordinary office environment into a more comforting and productive space.
Analysing these elements rationally means understanding their immediate sensory impact and long-term effects on mood, cognitive function and overall workplace satisfaction. This process helps ensure that design choices are aligned with the goals of the space—whether to invigorate, calm, or inspire its users.
PayPal, San Jose The path to innovative sensory design does comes with challenges like balancing innovative ideas with practicality and sustainability.
Ethical considerations in sensory design require a thoughtful evaluation of how design choices impact the wellbeing and autonomy of individuals. For instance, the use of colour psychology, with an understanding of cultural variations, must be approached with sensitivity to avoid manipulative effects on emotions and decisions.
Another aspect is ensuring sensory elements like soundscapes and tactile surfaces are accessible to everyone, including individuals with diverse neurological conditions and physical impairments. This approach promotes inclusivity and prevents the inadvertent creation of barriers. For instance, thoughtful sensory design can significantly enhance the experience for neurodiverse individuals, who may have heightened sensitivities to certain stimuli. By carefully selecting materials that mitigate overwhelming sensory inputs and designing environments that cater to a range of sensory preferences, designers can create spaces that support the needs and enhance the wellbeing of all users.
As designers, we must navigate the implications of sensory integration and manipulation in interiors to ensure that spaces remain inclusive and beneficial to everyone.
Looking forward, the evolution of our workspaces hinges on our ability to reimagine them as dynamic, sensory-rich landscapes that nurture human connection. This future-casting involves not just following ‘trends’ but anticipating changes in workplace dynamics as well as external factors that will shape both organisations and employees.
Sustainability also intersects with sensory design; future-focused design is sustainable design, considering both environmental impact and sensory enrichment. This dual approach ensures that tomorrow’s spaces meet aesthetic and functional needs and contribute positively to environmental and social ecosystems.
In conclusion, sensory design is the bridge between the physical spaces we inhabit and the profound human experiences they can evoke, embracing a multi-sensory approach becomes not just an innovative choice but a fundamental necessity. By thoughtfully integrating the senses into our environments, we have the power to transform ordinary spaces into meaningful experiences that resonate deeply with individuals. This holistic perspective not only enhances functionality and aesthetics but also fosters emotional connections, promotes wellbeing and supports inclusivity.
Director
