DESIGN AND STYLE EFFECTS ON EMOTION 1

Running head: DESIGN AND STYLE EFFECTS ON EMOTION

Design And Style Effects On Emotion

Melody Mitchell
Waxahachie Global High School

Table of Contents

Abstract... 3

DESIGN AND STYLE EFFECTS ON EMOTION 2

Introduction: Key Elements of Emotional Affect by Design.... 4
Colour...4
Setup and Flow...5
Accessories.....8
Conclusion...9
Appendix.............10
Resources...........11

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of design, such being defined as
the setup of a room and how accessories and colours are used, on an individuals
perception and emotion. There will be a heavy emphasis on the effects of colour

DESIGN AND STYLE EFFECTS ON EMOTION 3

specifically. A rooms colour was proven to have specific and pronounced effects on
emotional states. Correlations were found between blue walls and relaxation, pink, open
spaces and lowered heart rates, and spread out furniture and lower blood pressure due
to calmness (Walker, 1991). Consequently, these research findings suggest that
environmental design, including but not limited to colour, setup, and accessories, plays
a significant role in an individual's emotion.
Keywords: design, colour, emphasis, accessories, emotion

Do Design And Style Affect Emotion

Key Elements of Emotional Effect By Design
The writers experiences thus far in their research on the topic of design and
emotion correlation suggest that many design factors affect emotion, including: colour,
setup and flow, and room accessories.

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Though this list could feasibly be both broadened and narrowed, these three
categories offer the most accurate encompassment while providing the best
concentration on important aspects.
Colour
Colour can be defined as the property possessed by an object of producing
different sensations (Oxford, 1991). It is considered such an integral part of human life
that there is even a widely-used treatment called chromotherapy intended to harness
the power of individual color frequencies to heal the body, positively influence our
emotions, and achieve a renewed sense of inner harmony through sympathetic
resonance (Color Therapy: Loving the Light, 10 February, 2010). The U.S. National
Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health has confirmed that chromotherapy
does indeed successfully render positive results (A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy
and Its Scientific Evolution, December, 2010).
Evidence is most strongly present in the correlation of emotional calmness and
the colour pink. "Even if a person tries to be angry or aggressive in the presence of pink,
he can't. The heart muscles cant race fast enough. Its a tranquilizing color that saps
your energy. Even the color-blind are tranquilized by pink rooms" (Walker, 1991). Such
is also true with lighter shades of colours, like blue and grey.
Blue is the colour of the mind and is essentially soothing; it affects us mentally,
rather than the physical reaction we have to red. Strong blues will stimulate clear
thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration White
is labelled as hygienic and sterile. It provides clarity, feelings of purity, cleanness,

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simplicity, sophistication, and efficiency (Psychological Properties Of Colours,
n.d.).
As alluded to above, colours on the warm side of the spectrum, like red and
orange, are intensely volatile and most often associated with feelings of defiance,
frustration, and violence (Psychological Properties Of Colours, n.d.). Based on this, a
room with light greys, blues, and whites will produce a calmer, more at-ease
environment than one with red and orange accents.
Setup and Flow
A rooms structure as a whole is vitally important to how a person feels when in it,
from the number of windows to the ceiling height to how cluttered the furniture is and if
said furniture is uniform or mismatched.
In 2006, Joan Meyers-Levy, a marketing professor at the University of
Minnesota's school of management, studied the relationship between ceiling
height and thinking style. She demonstrated that, when people are in a highceilinged room, they're significantly better at seeing the connections between
seemingly unrelated subjects. In one experiment, undergraduates came up with
nearly 25% more connections between different sports, such as chess and
basketball, when sitting in a loft-like space than in a room with an 8-foot ceiling.
Instead of focusing on particulars, they were better able to zoom out and
see what various things had in common Alongside benefiting from high
ceilings, the students connection-making abilities improved in rooms with lots of
windows and bright blue walls that match the sky [versus rooms with less
windows and dull walls]. (Building a Thinking Room, 30 April, 2011.)

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The importance of natural light in a room was further investigated in a recent study by
scientist Miriam Muench. In her research, she found that compared to the afternoon,
people who had DL (Daylight) were significantly more alert at the beginning of the
evening, and subjects who were exposed to AL (Artificial light) were significantly
sleepier at the end of the evening... (Artificial Light Study, 2012). Natural light was
found to not only enhance thinking abilities, cortisol release, and reduce end-of-the-day
drowsiness, but also reduce stress levels (The Science of How Temperature and
Lighting Impacts Our Productivity, 14 February, 2014). (See Figure 1 for a
representation of the natural release of cortisol- the hormone released to induce waking
up- through the day.

Figure 1: Michael Lam M.D. 2010

Furniture is the first point a person notices upon entering a room, it guides them
and plays a very large part in how the person feels (The Science of Furniture: Is It
Impactful, 2006). When setting up a room, it is important to remember empty space is a

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persons pathway. Their eyes are guided by the lack of objects, and if their path seems
too constricted or obstructed, their fight or flight instinct will be activated, instantly taking
away some level of safety and panicking the body (Anxiety and Its Triggers, 2010).
Depending on a persons personality, if too much is going on visually or the
furniture is tightly packed, one might feel extreme discomfort. With mismatched
furniture, the mind can go into overdrive trying to process the different patterns and
information being catalogued by the eyes. If the furniture is garish or harshly coloured,
like reds or oranges, adrenaline levels will spike, causing intense emotions. The closer
the furniture, the more confined a space feels, which increases the likelihood of a
person experiencing extreme discomfort, claustrophobia, anxiety, or panic (Anxiety and
Its Triggers, 2010). The more muted and continuous the flow of a room is, the more
comfortable a person feels.
Temperature also plays a role in the level of comfort a person feels. A Cornell
University study found that when temperatures were low (68 degrees or 20 degrees
Celsius) employees made 44% more mistakes than at optimal room temperature (77
degrees or 25 degrees Celsius) (Linking Environmental Linking Environmental
Conditions to Productivity Conditions to Productivity, 2004). The explanation behind this
is simple: When your body is chilled, you are overly aware of it, and your concentration
is divided. When your body is at its usual heat, you arent actively noticing a difference
in temperature, so your concentration is focused.
Accessories
Not only are the colours and setup of a room important, but the accessories
applied also play a role in the feelings of the occupants. Accessories give a room

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personality, define its intended use, and form the first impressions a person gets. Its
important that they maintaining their noticeability while not being overly imposing. Many
factors play into how accessories affect a person- how unique, brightly coloured, and
well they contrast with other furnishings. Also, they should be strategically placed to
ensure the highest level of comfort can be afforded to the inhabitants of the room.
The improper arrangement of furniture and accessories can also create feelings
of stress and anxiousness. A room that has a couch with its back to a large
window or opening can leave a person feeling subconsciously vulnerable, as if
someone can sneak up on them. A room designed for entertainment, such as a
family room, should have enough comfortable seating for everyone.
Uncomfortable or limited seating will make people feel awkward and tense.
(How Does Room Decoration Affect Mood).
Even a few minor changes can be beneficial. An article by Lisa Cannellos reports that
half (50%) of Americans surveyed say they had at least one room in their home
that felt unfinished but choosing dcor touches that reflected their personal
style and gave it a touch of home helped create a finished look that made them
smile every time they walked into the space (New Survey Finds Small Dcor
Changes in Your Home Can Affect Your Mood, 2013).
The ultimate goals of a room and its accessories are to cement the level of comfort felt
by a person and to impress upon the inhabitants the rooms purpose.
Conclusion
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effects of design- design being
defined as room setups, accessories, and colour- on an individuals perception and

DESIGN AND STYLE EFFECTS ON EMOTION 9

emotion. Heavy emphasis was placed on the effects of colour, specifically how cool and
warm colours affect a persons mental process. The effects of a rooms setup and
physical design were also discussed. Consequently, these research findings suggest
that interior design- when such is defined as colour, setup, and accessories- plays a
significant role in an individual's emotion.

Appendix
Figure 1.........7

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References
Anthes, E. (2009, June). How room designs affect your work and mood. Retrieved
from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/building-around-the-mind/
Cannellos, L. (2013, September 26). New survey finds small dcor changes in your
home can affect your mood. http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63581homegoods-survey-finds-small-decor-changes-in-home-can-affect-mood
Color [Def. 1]. (n.d.). Oxford Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
Hedge, A. (2004, January). Linking environmental conditions to productivity.
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/Conferences/EECE_IEQ%20and%20Productivity_
ABBR.pdf
Lehrer, J. (2011, April 30). Building a thinking room. The Wall Street Journal.
Retrieved from
http://online.wsj.com/articles/
SB10001424052748703778104576287121392285518
Pellegrini, R. J., Schauss, A. G., and Miller, M. E. (1981). Room color and
aggression in a criminal detention holding cell: A Test of the "Tranquilizing Pink"
Hypothesis. ORTHOMOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY, VOLUME 10, NUMBER 3, Pp.
[174-176]. http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1981/pdf/1981-v10n03-p174.pdf
Sanders, A. (n.d.). How does room decoration affect mood? Retrieved

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from http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4744309_room-decoration-affectmood.html
Taylor, M. (2013, January 18). Loving the light: Color therapy. Retrieved from
http://thepowerofcolor.com/color-in-action/using-color-therapy-in-everyday-life/
Widrich, L. (2013, February 14). The science of how temperature and lighting impact
our productivity. Retrieved from
https://blog.bufferapp.com/the-science-of-how-room-temperature-and-lightingaffects-our-productivity
Wright, A. (n.d.). Psychological properties of colours. Retrieved from
http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-properties-of-colours
Yousuf Azeemi, S. T. and Mohsin Raza, S. (2005, December). A critical analysis of
Chromotherapy and its scientific evolution. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1297510/