Visual Complexity: What is it, why does it matter, and how can you manage it?
Visual complexity is an important driver of experience. Both too much and too little are bad for our mood and cognitive performance. Neuroscience research reveals how to manage visual complexity, disorder, and clutter.
Designing for Engagement, Anywhere
“Engagement” is a hot topic—it’s being discussed by everyone from human resource managers to community organizers; boosting it is the goal of almost every group, regardless of size. And the research is clear: design can buoy users’ engagement with organizations, or not.
Encouraging People to Be Well-Behaved, Via Design
Want people to obey the rules, do the right thing, keep out of mischief and just generally, behave in socially acceptable ways? Environmental neuroscientists have done a lot of research on how design can encourage space and object users to be on their best behavior—insights from their studies can be applied in practice.
In Practice: Temporary Nests in Public Places
The design of temporary nests make a real difference in humans’ lives. The spaces people call “home” for short periods of time can constructively enrich experiences when thoughtfully and empathetically developed.
Looking Up, Looking Down
Thinking changes with a tip of the head
Bringing the Outdoors to People Indoors
Bridging is bettering
Blue Light, Walking, and Creativity
Aligning project phases with working conditions expedites creativity
Problems with Boring Places
Too little is too bad
Lighting Public Squares
Bright, uniform, and overhead prevail
Negative Awe?
An outcome to be avoided
Color Saturation and Size
Color saturation influences perceptions
Neighborhood Design and Mental Wellbeing
Opportunities affect responses
Spatial Cultures: Towards a New Social Morphology of Cities Past and Present
A challenging, insight-packed book
The Fractal Dimension of Architecture
Reviews fractals and their role in design, for the mathematically inclined reader
PawsWay, Toronto
The design of Purina’s PawsWay center in Toronto boosts the mood—and wellbeing—of all of its users, regardless of species.