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Research and Design Methodology: I outline the methodologies
I employed in my research and design work, specifically the Double
Diamond design process and the Exploratory Sequential Mixed
Methods (ESMM) approach.
Problem Statement: I present the central question driving my
research: “How can interaction design be used to improve the
interactions of people with SAD in their homes to enhance their
well-being?”
Ethics and Researcher Positionality: I address the ethical
considerations and my position as a researcher, underscoring the
significance of conducting ethical research and ensuring the
well-being of participants.
Through this literature review, I lay a comprehensive groundwork for
understanding the unique challenges faced by those with SAD and
the transformative potential of interaction design in creating a
supportive domestic environment for their well-being.
Chapter 02: Research
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH - LITERATURE REVIEW
Understanding the Home Environment The interplay between these factors and mental healt
The home environment plays a crucial role in the mental health of and future research
light on emotions. The work of Sara Lindberg (2023) serves as a
individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This summary
highlights the impact of living environments on mental well-being and foundation for un
explores interaction design solutions to enhance the quality of life for those affected
those with SAD. Key environmental factors include:
Emotional Design
Aesthetics: Clutter can induce stress, whereas organized and
aesthetically pleasing spaces promote calmness and happiness. Emotional design is a fiel
from design experts and academics in recent years. It involves
Sensory Elements: Lighting, temperature, and sounds significantly
creating designs that evoke emotions to foster positive user
affect comfort levels, with harsh sensory inputs potentially causing
anxiety. experiences. This approach to design is rooted in the understanding
Social Interactions: The quality of interpersonal relationships that emotions play a p
perceive products and brands. (The Interaction Design Foundation,
within one’s environment can either contribute to stress or foster
peace. 2016) defines emotional design as the practice of designing products
Research and Design Project
Familiarity: Familiar objects can trigger positive emotions and a to elicit specific em
sense of belonging, whereas reminders of past traumas can induce
The framework for emotional design, as introduced by (Don Norman,
anxiety.
Climate: Local weather patterns and natural disasters can 2004), a renowned designer a
exacerbate mental health issues, with climate change being a notable cognitive dimensio
dimensions are designed to engage users at different levels of
factor in increasing rates of depression and PTSD.
cognitive processing, sometimes incorporating