Imagine. Experiment. Stimulate. Transform.
Immersive and interactive technologies do not yet feature in existing design frameworks for eliciting positive change that draw on research across human-computer interaction, user centred design and psychology. But recently researchers in Canada carried out a review of immersive and interactive experiences for positive change to distil common design strategies based on the experience’s inputs, …
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‘Positive technology’ researches how technology can elicit positive change and wellbeing. ‘Computer-mediated self-transcendence’ is a new area of positive technology that explores how immersive and gaming technologies can be combined with art to facilitate transcendent experiences. Immersive tech simulates alternative worlds to challenge our consciousness and awareness of ourselves and tricks our bodies into behaving …
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Types of transcendent experiences Transpersonal psychology has sought to integrate transcendent (often spiritual) experiences within modern psychological theories. These experiences include peak experiences and flow states. Whereas the former are caused by external events and entail a high level of stimulation or euphoria, the latter are internal mental states that occur when we’re so completely …
The religious experience Discussions about transcendence often begin with questions about the origins of religion and that aspect of God’s nature and power that is wholly independent of the world, universe and natural laws. The religious experience somehow overcomes the limits of physical existence. One suggestion is that religion arose to promote social bonding by …
The arrival of the Transformation Economy has huge potential for designing new types of aesthetic experience; for example, those that encourage more active participation. Three stages of transformational art Diagnose aspirations. How can art experiences be designed for us individually? How can each of our aspirations be identified and understood in advance? Stage experience(s). How can …
The emergence of the experience economy begs the question: what comes next? If the economy’s evolution is driven by differentiation, then what happens when experiences become undifferentiated and no longer feel memorable (‘been there, done that’)? Get ready for the Transformation Economy where the focus is no longer on the experience of using the product (or …
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We previously explored the first two key aspects of experience design: the audience and its participation. Let's explore the last two aspects: aims of the experiences and its narrative structure. Aims of the experience Why do we want to create this experience? How do we want the audience to feel before, during and after the …
Four key aspects to experience design Audience. Who is the experience for? Participation. How will they take part? Aims. How do we want the audience to feel afterwards? What actions or changes in behaviour do we want the experience to lead to? Narrative. What type of narrative can bring about this emotional impact? Understanding the …
The four types of experiences hint that new types could be possible. For example, aesthetic experiences focus on immersing our bodies in an activity or environment often in a passive way. What's the opportunity for new aesthetic experiences that encourage more active participation? New forms of immersive storytelling First, look at how PunchDrunk, Shunt and Secret …
What sorts of experience are possible? We can categorise experiences in two ways: Degree of participation. People can participate as passive observers and not affect the performance at all, or they can be active and affect the performance. Degree of connection. People's minds can be totally absorbed or people's bodies can be immersed. For example, our minds might …
Blow Minds 