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These insights shared at the panel highlight the transformative potential of neuroaesthetics in design. By integrating scientific understanding with intuitive creativity, designers can craft spaces that not only look appealing but also feel deeply resonant and meaningful.

Christoph Brach – Founder of Raw Color, Marie Hesseldahl – Partner at 3XN/GXN and Head of Interior and Product Design, Rebecca Chamberlain – Senior Lecturer in Neuroaesthetics at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Line Brockmann Juhl – Chief Marketing Officer at Muuto, discussed how emerging research enables us to sharpen contemporary practice.  

We've highlighted key moments with timestamps from the panel talk, which you can find below. You can catch all the insights by listening to the full discussion.

Listen here

Embracing a multisensory approach to aesthetics in design

Design is evolving as it connects more with neuroaesthetics. This interdisciplinary study delves into the measurable impact of aesthetics, culture, and environments on our brains and bodies, shaping human connections and overall well-being.

The insights garnered from neuroscientists, architects, artists, designers, psychologists, cognitive scientists, and data scientists reveal the intricate ways we respond to our surroundings.

00:09:08 to 00:09:46

Rebecca: In aesthetics research, more generally, there is a bit of a hegemony of the visual cause we are visual. So, we often prioritize that sense over other senses. But obviously, our experience of the world is a combination of all our senses, and each sense is shaped by other senses and can be biased. So, I think a broader conception of aesthetics really should look at all of those different channels.

Creating holistic and intuitive experiences

Designers aim to create spaces that connect with people on an intuitive level. Neuroaesthetics helps by providing measurable evidence of how different environments affect us. This understanding highlights the importance of intentional design. It also gives designers a way to explain their choices to clients, helping them appreciate and understand the design better.

00:05:39 - 00:05:58

Line: “(At Muuto) we aim to create intuitively attractive atmospheres, not just push a single product but a full experience with our brand.”

00:29:32 - 00:29:44

Marie: "Good designers have always known how to create spaces you like to be in. Now, we're developing a language to consciously articulate our design choices."

The power of belonging and connection in design

All the panelists emphasized the importance of creating spaces that foster a sense of belonging and connection, countering the isolating effects of the digital world.

00:20:19 – 00:20:49

Line: "If we think of the digital world as kind of pulling us away from each other, then I think this is really about creating spaces where we belong and creating spaces where we can feel connected to each other – and in that sense I think that the quality of neuroaesthetics is really the belonging part, that is really powerful."

00:22:05 - 00:22:26

Rebecca: “It all revolves around this awareness of the body and the fact that when we are in spaces, what they are doing is that they are triggering a need to act. That action might be to go into the space and explore, but it also might be to retreat.”

Integrating nature into built environments

Discussing the restorative power of nature, we see that integrating elements like trees, water, stone, and organic shapes into architecture enhances well-being, creating spaces that deeply resonate with human nature.

00:30:51 - 00:31:34

Christoph: "I saw brain scans comparing desk work to a walk in nature. The nature walk showed much more brain activity, proving how it resets our brain. You return to work feeling refreshed and more productive. This highlights how important environment is for well-being."

00:31:57 - 00:33:11

Marie: It [nature] has really a big benefit on wellbeing. But it is not only real trees and plants, there are also other nature elements like water, stone or fire, that you can integrate in your architecture as well. It can also be more abstract kinds of nature that work in the same way as real nature – for example organic shapes.

Accounting for diversity in neuroaesthetics

Max raised the issue of diversity in neuroaesthetics, acknowledging the varied interpretations of environments across individuals. While science aims for general explanations, we can't ignore individual differences in neuroaesthetics.

00:45:10 - 00:47:23

Rebecca: "I guess the critique of that [neuroaesthetics] would be, 'well, if everybody is different, then we can’t explain why people like things,' but I disagree with that. Because I think that there are measurable things about us that can tell us a bit about how we might respond (…) I think if you're working with particular client groups, for example if you're working a lot with kids, then you can start to sort of unpick those differences between groups and at least slightly target it towards the main user group.”

Neuroaesthetics in practice

Marie shared insights from designing a children's hospital, transforming it from an institutional setting to a homier, welcoming environment. This approach underscores the power of design in enhancing well-being.

00:39:23 - 00:40:58

Marie: "We integrated colors, avoided long corridors, and created themed winter gardens for children to play, ensuring their stay is as pleasant and conducive to recovery as possible.”

00:47:53 - 00:48:53

Line: “Our approach is guided by five principles: color, tactility, nature, light and form—specifically rounded forms. Despite collaborating with 40 different designers, there is a consistent Muuto DNA present throughout the collection. These inviting rounded shapes are a hallmark of our design, frequently used to create our spaces.”

Building on our recent panel talk in the Muuto Courtyard, we are excited to offer a comprehensive long read on applying neuroaesthetic principles to enhance well-being in your spaces. If you're curious about how neuroaesthetics shapes design and spaces, delve deeper with us here.

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