As part of my MA research, I wanted to explore how my own awe-inspired experiences in nature could inspire designs that could promote well-being in others. As my concept developed, I decided to design an Immersive Environment that is a shadow of my own experiences of nature, creating an 'Awe-esque' space.
I feel that the 'Awe' of nature needs to be experienced where it occurs, considering light, sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. Therefore I intended to design an environment that is a shadow of my own experiences to invoke an emotional reaction from the viewer—connecting them to nature to promote well-being.
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To achieve this, I have experimented with different aspects of an interior environment. Light Design, Tactile Textiles as well as Prints and Murals both individually and how they work together in harmony to create a bespoke environment.
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Please see the below links to see the development of each design area.
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Sketch of a public space inspired by Devils Pulpit Gorge
Sketch of a public space inspired by Loch Avon
As I developed the different areas of my design work, I mocked up rooms to see how things might look. As shown in the above sketches, I intended to design interior space for public use.
Mock up of UCLAN Student Hub
Mock up of chair and wall using hand tufted samples
Mock up of UCLAN Student Hub
Mock up of UCLAN Student Hub
I experimented with creating spaces in existing public locations to see how I could change and decorate the environment with the work I have been designing.
Awe-inspired Immersive Living room mockup Original photo taken from Elle Decor UK 09/14 issue
Office Space Immerwsive Environment mockup
Original image taken from Elle Decor UK 09/14 issue
Office Space Immersive Space Mock-up
Original image sourced from Elle Decor UK 09/14 issue
I went to design my environment from scratch—a social space immersed in nature.
The image on the left is the original calm and soothing design. The image on the right is a more dramatic, unique version of the environment that is not as calming and tranquil but may inspire Awe in the participant as a unique and strange environment, unlike anything you will come across in nature.
Breakdown of immersive environment showing wall design, moss armchair, and lighting design.Complete immersive environment showing the two versions, with normal light on the left and dappled light on the right.
Complete immersive environment showing the two versions, with normal light on the left and dappled light on the right.
For my MA exhibition, I wanted to combine my elements to create an installation to show my elements working together.
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I continued working on my surface pattern prints and murals for this installation. I developed panels for a larger mural that incorporate biophilic elements and repeat patterns.
I designed a moss wall hanging positioned in front of the print, incorporating a variety of textures and natural colours, abstracting the concept of mossing our environment.
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Below I show options for how lighting can be incorporated into the design, using one or two spotlights on the left and stills of GIFS to create dappled sunlight on the right.
Videography and Photography of final MA Installation. A Gif has been projected onto the work to create the idea of moving dappled light.
Installation with out sound
Immersive Environment Installation with Birds and running water
Sound file used-forest-with-small-river-birds-and-nature-field-recording-6735 Sourced-https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/search/nature/
Immersive Environment installation with Soft ambient rain
Sound file used- soft-rain-ambient-111154